Legendary Northern Ireland pair Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas will be inducted into the Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame at the 2025 NI Football Writers’ Association Awards.
The iconic duo, who have 202 senior international caps between them, will be honoured for their service to the country at the NIFWA awards ceremony on May 4.
Davis, who stands as Northern Ireland’s record men’s caps holder having retired with 140 to his name, captained Michael O’Neill’s side at the 2016 Euros in France – the nation’s first appearance at a major tournament Finals for three decades since the 1986 World Cup.
The former Aston Villa, Fulham, Southampton and Rangers midfielder (40) retired from club football in 2023 a year on from calling time on his 17-year senior international career that also saw him involved in a heartbreaking 2018 World Cup Play-Off defeat to Switzerland.
His fellow King of Lyon Dallas (33), meanwhile, was a distinguished servant at Leeds United and starred for the West Yorkshire club in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, in April 2022, the Cookstown native – who initially cut his cloth in the Irish League with firstly Coagh United and then Crusaders where he was named Player and Young Player of the Year – suffered what was later confirmed to be a femoral fracture in a collision with Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.
After undergoing surgery, the versatile former Brentford man ultimately missed the entirety of the following two campaigns before prematurely calling time on his career in April 2024.
A fan favourite amongst the Green and White Army having played in defence, midfield and in attack across his 62 caps, the first of which coming while still at the Crues in 2011, Dallas revealed his pride at the recognition for his achievements in football.
“I have fond memories of winning Player of the Year during my time with Crusaders,” he said.
“It’s an honour to return the awards all these years later, to join the Hall of Fame.”
Ballymena native Davis, who also enjoyed a stint as caretaker Rangers boss in October 2023, commented: “It’s an incredible honour to be inducted into the Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame alongside genuine greats such as George Best and Harry Gregg.
“It was always a privilege to represent my country and the people of Northern Ireland. To receive an accolade like this is incredible.”
The Hall of Fame honour celebrates former Belfast Telegraph sports editor Brodie’s involvement in Northern Ireland football that included coverage of 14 World Cups before his death at the age of 86 in 2013.