Stuart Dallas announced his retirement from professional football today via an open letter to Northern Ireland fans and Leeds United fans.
Here’s the letter in full:

“Today, with a heavy heart, I announce that I will be retiring from professional football. Over the past two years the Leeds United medical team, along with the incredible surgeons in London, have worked tirelessly to help me recover from the injury I sustained in the game against Manchester City in 2022.

Sadly, despite their best efforts, and my body not progressing how we need it to, I must now accept the fact that my knee suffered irreparable damage and I will not be returning to play professional football.

I am, of course, devastated by this news.

As a young boy growing up in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, all I ever wanted was to play professional football and I will be eternally grateful that for me that dream came true. This may not be how fairytales are supposed to end, but I must now deal with the fact that this chapter of my life is drawing to a close.

I am incredibly grateful to so many people who have helped me over the years, not only to make the most of my career, but who enabled me to do so with a smile on my face.

My particular thanks must first and foremost go to my amazing wife Junéve, whose unwavering support has been ever present since the first day we met. We have three beautiful kids, who we have created so many memories with, and I will be forever grateful. To my family and close friends who I’ve spent so much time discussing this with, you’ve lived and breathed every high and low with me. Thank you.

To all my previous managers and coaches at my present and former clubs, thank you for being part of the journey. When I moved from Northern Ireland to England I couldn’t have asked for a better club to go to in Brentford, and I’ll be forever grateful to them.

I’ve been fortunate to work with some outstanding managers, but two in particular I want to pay special thanks to are Marcelo Bielsa and Michael O’Neill.

Marcelo’s incredible coaching helped me improve not just as a player but as a person off the pitch, too. Premier League football seemed a million miles away at times, but he made this all possible. These were simply the greatest years of my career and I created memories that I’ll cherish forever.

Michael believed in me and gave me the opportunity to represent my country on so many occasions, for which I will always be thankful.

Playing in front of the Green and White Army at Windsor Park, and also having the opportunity to do so in a major championship at Euro 2016, was unforgettable. You really are amazing and it has been such an honour.

I would also like to pay tribute to the staff, management and medical team at Leeds United for their outstanding support during some dark days.

I truly believe we have the greatest medical team around and special thanks must go to Rob Price, Henry McStay and Ruben Crespo who have worked around the clock to give me the best medical attention that I have needed.

To my team-mates over the years, nationally and domestically, there are too many to mention but you know who you are, friends for life. A special mention must go to Liam Cooper, who I’ve been with since I first walked through the doors at Thorp Arch many years ago. An incredible captain, team-mate, friend and player whose talent and contribution to the team often goes unrecognised. The man is truly a wonderful human.

My final thanks must go to you, the Leeds United fans. Your passion and love for this team and city is what makes Leeds so special. You really are the 12th man.

As the famous anthem goes, “we’ve been through it all together and we’ve had our ups and downs”. I’ve been lucky enough to have shared your joy within the wonderful stadium that is Elland Road. Leeds United is now well and truly in my blood. I have memories that will remain with me forever and I look forward to joining you in the stands as Daniel Farke and the team aim to take us back to the Premier League and beyond.

As sad as it is that my career as a player is over, I can look back with so many happy memories, representing the country that I love and a team that has made such an impact on my life. Leeds is a place I will call home forever.”

Love Dallas. I know this is tough for him in this moment.
But, he's always come across as very smart. I read that
while trying to recover he got his coaching badges.

Great. Think he'll make a great coach/manager. Life's
too short to let a physical setback like this derail what
was always going to be a successful next chapter.

He'll do very well post playing days. Thanks for being
a rock solid, entertaining player. One of my faves.

Cheers Stuey.

Good luck Stu with whatever you do next. A fantastic and versatile player, we've loved having you at this wonderful club. Thank you 👍

Sad to hear, but not a surprise.

Maybe a result of the stupidly aggressive marsch era.

Will never forget his goal v Man City.

Another bit of Bielsa era gone, great to see the recognition given, especially to cooper and no added on MOT at the end.

Wouldnt have looked out of place in a top six side,
All the best to him sad news as was an asset to the club.

Wouldnt have looked out of place in a top six side,

-----------------------------------

Really?

top 6 of which division mate?

Stuart Dallas could still serve the club as a coach, especially for the younger players. he has been through it, promotion, playing in the premier league. His knowledge of the club would be useful.

Dallas said that it was his knee that didn't recover despite it being the femur (thigh) that he fractured. Never known anyone to fracture that massive bone, pretty rare.

Scoring the winning goal at Man City and appearing at a major tournament….enough for him to retire on.

I will consider him a club legend from the Bielsa era, and deservedly so.

Thank you Stuart.

Yes I've only just heard the disappointing news of Dallas having to retire from the game which I think deep down we all sensed that it was unlikely he'd play for Leeds again but it still feels sad to hear officially his playing days are over.

I truly hoped for the fairytale ending of him coming on in
our final game and grabbing the winner that sealed our promotion but not to be... only in the movies I suppose.

Anyway all the very best to Stuey and I'm confident he'll make a success at whatever next he decides to do and will get a rapturous reception on Saturday for all his loyal service to Leeds on and off the pitch. 👏👏

A true legend signs off. Thanks for all the memories on the field

Sad but inevitable. Always felt the injury was too serious. Shame as his attifude is top draw. - Cheers Stuey.

comment by Shaun M - supercalifragilisticOrtaisatrocious (U9955)
posted 23 hours, 23 minutes ago
Dallas said that it was his knee that didn't recover despite it being the femur (thigh) that he fractured. Never known anyone to fracture that massive bone, pretty rare.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Collins. I think it was a deliberate act by Fabrizio Poletti. He went on to play for us again but was never the same player. Moved to Bury and played 70+ times for them.
Bobby Collins was before my time but as midfielders go he sets the bench mark by which all must measure themselves, Billy included.

Moment Dallas told the team:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1778150961174688209

comment by Dennis - Always Leeds - Always Loyal. (U23086)
posted 55 minutes ago
comment by Shaun M - supercalifragilisticOrtaisatrocious (U9955)
posted 23 hours, 23 minutes ago
Dallas said that it was his knee that didn't recover despite it being the femur (thigh) that he fractured. Never known anyone to fracture that massive bone, pretty rare.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Collins. I think it was a deliberate act by Fabrizio Poletti. He went on to play for us again but was never the same player. Moved to Bury and played 70+ times for them.
Bobby Collins was before my time but as midfielders go he sets the bench mark by which all must measure themselves, Billy included.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I well remember the tackle by Poletti on Collins…I was very angry because it more or less ended Bobby’s Leeds career, at the height of his career.
I wouldn’t rate him as high as Bremner or Johnny Giles, but Bobby was a very high class midfield attacking player and for his small physique was a real ‘tiger’ on the pitch, a leader on the pitch as well.

One game I remember very well was a foggy day on Saturday in the 1960s at Old Trafford, can’t remember the exact year.
The referee brought the Leeds/ManU players off well into the 2nd half, the fog descended and fans couldn’t see the game, it was so thick.
Lots of Leeds fans decided the game would be abandoned…I walked back to train station thinking a draw at 0 - 0 wasn’t a bad result in the circumstances.
Got back to Leeds and someone at Leeds station told me Leeds had won 1 - 0…the ref brought the players back, the fog had lifted…Bobby Collins scored the goal!,

What a great player and servant to the side.
Who can ever forget his contribution - immortalised by lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hil5tcNnIjU&t=2s

Stuie Dallas - hope he finds a home with Leeds United in some capacity.