Stuart Dallas tribute emerges after ‘Very touching’ Leeds United move after retirement
Paul Robinson has paid tribute to Stuart Dallas after the Leeds United legend announced his retirement from football earlier this month.
The 33-year-old suffered a femoral fracture during a match against Manchester City in April 2022 and has not played a single minute of football since, trying his best to work his way back to full fitness.
The Northern Ireland international signed for Leeds in the summer of 2015, making the move from Brentford, and going on to make 266 appearances in white, notching 28 goals and 18 assists.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson admitted it was a shame Dallas’ career had been ended by the injury but understood why he made the very difficult decision.
“I think he’s been an excellent servant for the club and it’s a shame that he’s had to finish due to his injury. It was such a nasty injury for a player of his age,” he said.
“To be able to get back and live the rest of his life in a normal way, I’m sure is far more important to him than finishing off a football career in 12-18 months, where he could do more damage.
“I think the club paid a very touching tribute to him. He was a huge part of the promotion season, ‘Mr Versatile’ who played anywhere across the back four, anywhere in midfield, goals, assists, defensive contributions, attitude, and application, were clearly in abundance in him.
“He scored that brace against Manchester City in the lockdown season. I think he’s just been an excellent servant to the club. You knew what you were going to get with him, and that was everything he had. Even if he were having a poor game, by his standards, he would make up for it with his work rate.
“That was hugely appreciated by the Leeds fans. As always, whenever you pull the Leeds United shirt on, the minimum requirement is maximum effort, and that’s something he gave every week.”
Stuart Dallas to be remembered as Leeds United legend
Dallas has written himself into the history books at Elland Road and had already done so as part of the Leeds team to end the club’s 16-year stay in the Championship.
Along with Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford, the quartet of Leeds players will all be remembered for their contributions to the club, though the ending to Dallas’ career seems very unjust.
The defender’s incredible brace against Man City will certainly go down as one of the best memories of his career, though he accomplished so much more.
Dallas made a name for himself in West Yorkshire, but his contributions on the international stage did not go unnoticed, having earned 62 caps for Northern Ireland while scoring three goals for his country.
He will forever be a fan-favourite at Leeds and will be welcomed back with open arms whenever he chooses to return as a member of the Elland Road crowd.
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