Dalglish and Carney win PFA merit awards
August 25, 2026 12:01
The Professional Footballers' Association has named Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney as the recipients of its 2026 merit awards, which recognise people who have made a lasting contribution to the game. The announcements precede the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, where the men's and women's players' player of the year prizes will also be revealed.
The BBC notes the pair follow previous merit winners Sir Gareth Southgate and Emma Hayes.
KEY CONTEXT
Sir Kenny Dalglish built a decorated club and international career: he is Scotland's most-capped male international with 102 appearances and matched Denis Law's 30-goal Scotland record. After a successful spell at Celtic he moved to Liverpool in 1977 for a British-record fee and featured in a dominant period that brought him eight First Division titles and three European Cups in 515 appearances. He became player-manager in 1985, led Liverpool to multiple league titles and FA Cups (including the 1985–86 Double), and later managed Blackburn to the 1995 Premier League title and won the 2012 League Cup in a later Liverpool spell. Off the pitch, Dalglish played a prominent role supporting families after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and has raised significant funds for cancer care via the Marina Dalglish Appeal. He announced in June 2026 that he is receiving cancer treatment.
Karen Carney enjoyed a lengthy club and international career. She was part of Arsenal's 2006–07 squad that won four major trophies, spent time with Chicago Red Stars, returned to Birmingham City (scoring a decisive extra-time equaliser in the season they won the FA Cup), moved to Chelsea in late 2015 where she won the 2017–18 WSL and FA Cup double and captained the side, and retired in 2019. Internationally she made her England debut aged 17 in 2005, earned 144 caps with 32 goals, featured at eight major tournaments including England's third-place finish at the 2015 Women's World Cup, and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Since retiring she has worked in broadcast analysis and chaired an independent review into the future of domestic women's football published in 2023.
WHY IT MATTERS
The merit awards underscore long-term influence rather than single-season achievement. Dalglish's combination of on-field success, managerial honours and community leadership — notably in the aftermath of Hillsborough and through fundraising for cancer care — exemplify the type of career the PFA seeks to recognise. Carney's record as a high-level player across club and country, together with her post-playing work in media and shaping policy on the women's game, illustrates a continuing contribution beyond her playing days.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- The PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday evening, where the men's and women's players' player of the year winners will be announced.
- Any statements from the PFA or the honourees about how the merit awards will be presented or celebrated at the ceremony (not specified in the source).