Malcolm Brodie (journalist)

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

Career

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

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

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