Stuart Dallas sends out 'never give up' message as he looks to inspire Irish League's next generation

It wasn't the ending Stuart Dallas had wished for but the 32-year-old is hoping his journey can inspire the next generation of Irish League stars to "never give up".

The Leeds United star was forced to call time on his career last week following a two-year injury battle and while he admitted it was a "hard decision" to make it was the correct one. Speaking after making the draw for this summer's Under-19 European Championship, which are being held in Northern Ireland, the former Crusaders and Coagh United man hopes his rise can show others in the province that they can progress to the elite level of the game.

"I hope it can," he said. "It is something I’ve never really thought about when I was playing.

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"Now that I’ve finished when I look at my journey I hope it can inspire people and for kids who don’t get a chance at a younger age and have to wait that bit longer and use the Irish League as a stepping stone.

"I know the JD Academy is in place now giving young players a better platform. When I was coming through I didn’t have that. Hopefully people can look at my journey to never give up.

"It’s been a stressful couple of weeks to be honest but now that it is out in the open I feel a bit of relief," added Dallas on the announcement of his retirement.

"Obviously the decision was really hard but I know myself it was the right decision and I’m excited for what the future holds and looking forward to it."

Dallas suffered the injury in a challenge with Manchester City's Jack Grealish during a game in 2022 and said he "tried everything I could" in a bid to get back playing again, but ultimately had to accept it wasn't going to happen.

He said: "I’ve known for a while. I tried everything I could. We tried everything we could at the club and with the surgeon involved but there comes a time when you have to accept it.

"I never gave up hope but I knew at the start of the journey how serious the injury was. That doesn’t make it easier when the decision needs to be made.

"I’ve known for a few weeks now but we wanted to give it one last chance but that didn’t work out. My body wouldn’t let it get me to where I needed to get to. I’m 33 this week but even if I was 21 or 22 even with the seriousness of the injury it was impossible to get back from."

Dallas said he was touched by the heartfelt tributes paid to him since the announcement and had a special mention for the support his former international captain Steven Davis has given after his own decision to retire.

"He is probably sick hearing from me," he joked. "I was always close to him but more so in the past year. He's been involved in my journey as I was in his. He spoke to me and probably a few others when he was making his decision.

"I called him right before I made my decision to get advice on what to do and how to deal with things. He's been brilliant and I'm thankful that he's another player I've had the opportunity to play with and have a relationship off the pitch with him as well."

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