Stuart Dallas, the retired Northern Ireland and Leeds United midfielder, is launching a new premium padel club in Leeds following his 2024 retirement due to injury. The eight-court facility in the Cross Green area represents his venture into the rapidly growing sport of padel. Dallas, who took up padel during recovery, aims to create a welcoming community hub.
Stuart Dallas, a 34-year-old from Cookstown in Tyrone, earned 62 caps for Northern Ireland between 2011 and 2024, scoring three goals. He played over 250 matches for Leeds United, contributing to their 2020 promotion under Marcelo Bielsa. His career ended abruptly in April 2022 after a severe on-field collision with Manchester City's Jack Grealish during a match.
Dallas described the incident as feeling "like a car crash," recalling a "crunching noise" as he tried to bend his leg. The tackle resulted in a catastrophic femoral fracture and his anterior cruciate ligament being ripped from the bone. He underwent a seven-hour surgery that night, followed by six more operations in the ensuing months.
Forced to retire in 2024, Dallas has since embraced padel, a sport blending tennis and squash. He noted last year, “I still need to go to the gym and keep up the strength in it... I play a bit of padel here and there too.” Despite occasional soreness from the complex injury, he stated, “My knee’s alright. It allows me to do what I need to do now.”
The new club, operated by Optimum Padel, features eight courts with high-grade blue turf under a 10.5-meter-high roof. Set to open later this month in Leeds' Cross Green area, it seeks to elevate padel in Yorkshire by prioritizing inclusivity and community. Padel has surged in popularity, with UK courts increasing from 50 to nearly 900 since 2019.
Dallas expressed contentment with retirement: “I’m very, very comfortable with my decision. I have a good life, a beautiful family who are healthy. I’ve got nothing to complain about.” He insists he misses nothing about professional football.