" CARDIFF CITY SACK STADIUM ANNOUNCER "

Voice of Cardiff City Ali Yassine dismissed on eve of new season after 14 years at club

The man who became known as the voice of Cardiff City has been relieved of his duties by the club.

Ali Yassine, the popular voice on the Tannoy at match-days at Ninian Park and Cardiff City Stadium, has been told his services are not required any more and he will not be used by the Bluebirds again.

The shock news of him losing his position with City comes less than 24 hours before Cardiff kick off their 2015-16 Championship campaign with a home game against Fulham.

Yassine will not be at the microphone for the match and admits he is ‘gobsmacked’ by the club’s decision. He also says he is hurt that the news was broken to him so close to the start of the new season.

Yassine has been a hugely popular presence amongst fans for the last 14 years and through that time has barely missed a game. He was known for his quick sense of humour and his tongue-in-cheek winding up of opposition supporters.

Most significantly, though, he became famous for his rallying cry just before kick-off, when he encouraged Bluebirds fans to get fully behind the team.

Confirming the news, Yassine said: “I can hardly believe it to be honest, I’m completely gutted.”

The 51-year-old Yassine from Grangetown, Cardiff, continued: “I don’t want to leave. It has come completely out of the blue, I was preparing for the new season and to be told just the day before has left me gobsmacked and deeply upset.

“I love my job there and I’m devastated just to be told not to turn up again. I will still go and support the team because I love the Bluebirds. In fact when I was told my services were no longer required I had to run down to the ticket office and buy two tickets for the Fulham game.

“It’s terrible news for me and I’m struggling to take it in, to be honest.”

Yassine was previously ditched in 2007 when the club linked up with a commercial radio station but protests by irate supporters saw him reinstated almost immediately.

It is believed his duties at the game against Fulham will be carried out by club historian Richard Shepherd, but the club are yet to decide on a long-term replacement for Yassine.

Link - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ne-9814957

Hugely popular. Not in my opinion

A bit of a shock this and Richard Shepard is getting on a bit now so they need to find a very good replacement , I know some didn't like ALi but he is a personal friend of mine and I am sorry to see him go...good luck to him in the future

Richard Shepherd??!' Ah well, means I can catch up on some sleep at half time. Fine historian he may be, voice made for broadcasting he has not. Imoh.

Whether you like him or not it's not the right way to let him go through is it.

Annis in the running?

Whether you like him or not it's not the right way to let him go through is it.

Agree, should have been given fair notice not 24 hours

Whether you like him or not it's not the right way to let him go through is it.

Agree, should have been given fair notice not 24 hours

Was it a paid post or voluntary?

Give it to Dai Hunt we will be very entertained.

Give it to Dai Hunt we will be very entertained.

Feck off.

Whether you like him or not it's not the right way to let him go through is it.

Agree, should have been given fair notice not 24 hours

Was it a paid post or voluntary?

Doesn't really matter, if they wanted him gone they should have told him at the end of last season.

Whether you like him or not it's not the right way to let him go through is it.

Agree, should have been given fair notice not 24 hours

Was it a paid post or voluntary?

He had a contract at the club so I would imagine he was being payed, he said that it was terminated today.

They should have shown him some more respect though after 14 years at the club.

Last edited by TrueBlue99 on Fri Aug 07, 2015 5:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Dai Hunt as the next announcer ?

Im sorry hes lost a job he loved and dont doubt he is a true bluebird, but a good stadium announcer he was not, very happy that we wont here the screching support the boys nonsense, you only had to go to a few away games to see how out of his depth he was to others and had no clue on how to get a crowd pumped up for a game, he might have a few who liked him on the internet but like everything on these types of forums ir wasnt reflected throughout the fanbase, wish him well though, all the best

Totally out of order from the club.

They've put a lot of work in over the summer to improve their relationship with supporters.

But this shows they still have no idea how to treat their staff. Gutted for Ali.

Give it to Dai Hunt we will be very entertained.

Feck off.

Aw come on.

Probably not the best timing, but whilst I'm sure he's a really nice chap, I found he tended to monopolise the microphone too long. However what really frustrated me was the insistence of announcing everything in Welsh first. We live in Wales, true, but I think 99% of the crowd don't understand a word of what he's saying until he starts speaking in English...

Whether you like him or not it's not the right way to let him go through is it.

Agree, should have been given fair notice not 24 hours

Was it a paid post or voluntary?

Doesn't really matter, if they wanted him gone they should have told him at the end of last season.

That is correct, they could have used the complete pre-season as his notice period.

Sad that the club treated him like this after all these years of service but in my opinion he couldn't get a bunch of kids excited over the mic inside the ccs let alone 1000s of fans. Ninian park he was at his best. I wonder who is in line hmmm.

I hope they don't bring back that clown Jasper and his mates from a few years ago.

Probably not the best timing, but whilst I'm sure he's a really nice chap, I found he tended to monopolise the microphone too long. However what really frustrated me was the insistence of announcing everything in Welsh first. We live in Wales, true, but I think 99% of the crowd don't understand a word of what he's saying until he starts speaking in English...

Agreed. His "Blumbrgereisog and Blodwinafanniog" used to grate on me. However irs an awful way to treat anyone, particularly after his years of loyal service. Club should be ashamed. Bye Ali!

Probably not the best timing, but whilst I'm sure he's a really nice chap, I found he tended to monopolise the microphone too long. However what really frustrated me was the insistence of announcing everything in Welsh first. We live in Wales, true, but I think 99% of the crowd don't understand a word of what he's saying until he starts speaking in English...

Agreed. His "Blumbrgereisog and Blodwinafanniog" used to grate on me. However irs an awful way to treat anyone, particularly after his years of loyal service. Club should be ashamed. Bye Ali!

Careful boys - you'll have the politically correct Welsh Language Police after you if you're not careful.

I bet whoever takes over from Ali will continue to make the announcements whilst clearing their throat.... I mean in Welsh,as well as in English.

They should have got rid of him at least 2 years ago he was well past his sell by date
They have got rid due to the survey that was done by season ticket holders some time ago
Apparently there were lots who stated that they disliked his presentation
I found him very boring and he did not have a clue how to get the crowd going (except home )
We need a new impetus down the ground and someone to warm up the crowd before the kick off
Ali unfortunately did not do that
Someone should have told him that you call rugby players boys and footballers lads
I did like him in the beginning but all things go stale after a while

Ali is great! This is a total disgrace. SUPPORT THE BOY AND MAKE SOME NOISE! Bring back Ali Yassine! Mae'n uffernol iawn!

Hmmmmmmm?

thank fvk for that couldnt stand his stupid announcements

Probably not the best timing, but whilst I'm sure he's a really nice chap, I found he tended to monopolise the microphone too long. However what really frustrated me was the insistence of announcing everything in Welsh first. We live in Wales, true, but I think 99% of the crowd don't understand a word of what he's saying until he starts speaking in English...

The capital city of Wales and the second biggest football club in Wales has a duty, surely, to do its bit to promote the Welsh language whether we understand it or not?

Probably not the best timing, but whilst I'm sure he's a really nice chap, I found he tended to monopolise the microphone too long. However what really frustrated me was the insistence of announcing everything in Welsh first. We live in Wales, true, but I think 99% of the crowd don't understand a word of what he's saying until he starts speaking in English...

The capital city of Wales and the second biggest football club in Wales has a duty, surely, to do its bit to promote the Welsh language whether we understand it or not?

We're are doing our bit as the Capital City. You do yours as the Second Biggest Club.

thank fvk for that couldnt stand his stupid announcements

He probably can't stand people who grab cast iron breasts for the lols

Sorry to see Ali go. Strange timing?