Linfield have paid tribute to popular and well known former matchday announcer Joe McAuley who died at the age of 82 last week.
McAuley, who was also a professional singer and a fantatical boxing fan, lived in East Belfast and passed away in Dundonald’s Dunlady Nursing Home on March 15.
Linfield said Joe, a lifelong fan who operated the PA system in the old South Stand press box, was “popular with supporters, board members and players, past and present”.
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Linfield director David Strain said: “Joe’s matchday introduction of ‘good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Windsor Park’ will be fondly remembered.
“His dulcet tones made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.”
Former Linfield manager David Jeffrey said Mr McAuley was “always encouraging, never negative”, while former striker Glenn Ferguson described him as a “big gentleman”.
Former Blues midfielder Michael Gault wrote on Facebook: "Joe was a complete gentleman and I loved having many conversations with him. A very loyal and great supporter."
Humour was no stranger to Joe and club director Jonathan Lamont recalled with fondness one memorable occasion when Argentina played Linfield in a friendly in 1990.
“Joe was struggling to pronounce the names," said Lamont. "So by the time he got to Argentina's number 9, he gave up and said: ‘Number nine... an Argentinian. And number 10, another Argentinian’.”
On their official website, Linfield said Joe would be “remembered for ‘holding court’ in the same corner seat in the President’s lounge outside the old South stand boardroom.
“He was always in the company of his great friends - Geordie Keenan and Charlie Grundie - and enjoyed ‘great craic’ with many people who will recall with fondness a real character and a very distinctive and very distinguished gentleman."
Joe was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Iris and survived by his two daughters, Joanne and Melanie.
“The sympathy of everyone at Linfield Football Club is extended to Joann and Melanie at this very sad time,” the Windsor Park club said.
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