Spotted: Footage shows how Leeds United fans reacted to Stuart Dallas on pitch at Elland Road
Leeds United gave Stuart Dallas a huge ovation during the half-time break of their 1-0 defeat against Blackburn after his retirement in midweek.
The legendary defender was forced to hang up his boots due to the injury he suffered two years ago, citing irreparable damage to his knee as the reason in a statement.
The Whites gave fans a chance to show their appreciation for his nine years at Elland Road during half-time as he was presented to the crowd with his family, and journalist Beren Cross posted footage on his personal X account (13 April) to show the love that was shown towards the defender.
Fans chanted “one Stuart Dallas” as he did his lap of honour, and gave the Northern Ireland international a standing ovation.
Leeds United fans give Stuart Dallas ovation he deserves
There aren’t many people at Elland Road who can be held in higher esteem than Dallas among the fans right now.
Dallas gave absolutely everything to the club and his time under Marcelo Bielsa absolutely embodied him as a player and his time at Elland Road, as a key player and a leader to take them back to the Premier League.
His injury was obviously hugely unfortunate and it’s a real shame that he ended up having to retire as a result of it, but thankfully there are talks for him to take up a role behind the scenes next season.
Fans weren’t given a similar opportunity to send love and shower praise at Luke Ayling and Mateusz Klich when they left the club despite their status, because circumstances didn’t allow it for whatever reason.
But Dallas has received all the love and admiration he deserved, and the lap of honour of the game cemented his status as a Leeds United legend forever more.
In other Leeds news, footage has emerged of the moment Dallas told the squad he was retiring.
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