Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA pays his own personal tribute to Malcolm Brodie.
"He was an inspirational one-off, for all sports reporters of his day. We all have our own memories, especially of him as our journalistic leader at the two World Cup Finals in Spain '82 and Mexico '86, but I also recall those weekends when he would come round from the Belfast Telegraph for a drink in the BBC Club, half a dozen Ireland Saturday Nights (or Pinks) tucked under his arm.’
"This silly story may illustrate how well respected he was. I remember a midweek match at the Oval in Belfast. It was a bitter winter's evening and after 20 minutes or so, Malcolm said it felt cold in the Press Box and wondered if the heater was turned on. Such was the esteem he was held in, every journalist, including himself, turned round to look, and we all missed a wonder goal from Glentoran! As the junior, I was despatched at half-time to the Home Dressing Room to find out who scored!’
“He will be missed, of course, but his life and achievements must also be celebrated and memorialised. I suggest a Malcolm Brodie Scholarship in sports journalism, if that is what his family would like.’