Malcolm Brodie (journalist)

Malcolm Brodie MBE, (27 September 1926 – 29 January 2013) was a Scottish-born journalist.[1]

Malcolm Brodie
Born(1926-09-27)27 September 1926
Glasgow, Scotland [1]
Died29 January 2013(2013-01-29) (aged 86)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
OccupationJournalist
AwardsMBE

Career edit

Brodie spent his working life in Northern Ireland, after being evacuated to Portadown, County Armagh at the onset of World War II.[2] He began his career at the Portadown Times before moving to the Belfast Telegraph in 1943, where, in 1950, he set up the newspaper's first sports department, with himself as editor.[1] This was a role he held for 41 years, during which time he reported from a record 14 FIFA World Cups; a feat which was recognised by FIFA in 2004 as they awarded him the Jules Rimet award.[1][3] As well as his position at the Belfast Telegraph, Brodie also wrote for the Daily Telegraph, the News of the World and the Sun.[1] He authored several histories of Irish League clubs, a history of the Irish League itself and the official history of the Irish Football Association.[1] Despite retiring as sports editor of the Belfast Telegraph in 1991, he continued to write a column called 'Down Memory Lane' and remained an honorary life employee of the newspaper.[4]

Accolades edit

Brodie received many accolades in recognition of his work, among them an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster,[2] induction into the Belfast Sports Hall of Fame, the inaugural Doug Gardner Memorial Award in 1990 from the Sports Journalists' Association for services to the profession and an All-Ireland Journalists' Association lifetime achievement award.[1] He received an MBE for services to journalism in 1979.[5]

Death edit

Brodie died, aged 86, on 29 January 2013.[1] His funeral was held at Cregagh Presbyterian Church, Belfast.[5] A minute's silence, followed by a minute of applause, was held at all Irish League grounds on the weekend following his death and the Northern Ireland national team wore black armbands as a mark of respect during their next international match.[6] It is intended that the press box at the re-developed Windsor Park will be named in his honour.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h McElroy, Robert (4 February 2013). "Dr Malcolm Brodie". The Herald. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Malcom Brodie: Much admired veteran editor and football writer". The Independent. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. ^ "BLATTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO 'TRUE GREAT'". irishfa.com. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Belfast Telegraph Legends: Malcolm Brodie". Belfast Telegraph. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Funeral of NI sports journalist Malcolm Brodie takes place". BBC News. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Malcolm Brodie's name will live on in new Windsor". Belfast Telegraph. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.