Former Leeds United and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness.
Yorath scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for Leeds United, his first professional club, during a nine-year spell from 1967. He won the First Division title in 1974 and finished runner-up in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.
He earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining the side 42 times. Later, as manager, he took Wales to the brink of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup before a 2-1 defeat to Romania in their final qualifier ended those hopes.
Career across clubs
Yorath also played for Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City, before making a solitary appearance for Swansea City to conclude his playing career.
After retiring, he moved into management, taking charge of Swansea City, Wales, Bradford City, Cardiff City, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate.
He guided Swansea to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1988 and later came close to leading Wales to their first World Cup finals since 1958.
Personal life and family
Yorath was the father of broadcaster Gabby Logan. He also had three other children – Daniel, Louise and Jordan.
In 1992, his son Daniel tragically died aged 15 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with his father.
On the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, which claimed 56 lives, Yorath was player-coach at Bradford City.
Tributes pour in
Leeds United said they were “devastated” by the news and expressed their condolences to his family, friends and former team-mates.
The Football Association of Wales posted on social media that their thoughts were with Yorath’s loved ones.
Former Bradford striker Dean Windass described Yorath as a “great man and a gentleman”.
Margate FC, where Yorath managed 44 games and won the Isle of Thanet Gazette Cup in 2009-10, also paid tribute, offering condolences to his family and friends.
Legacy with Wales
Yorath managed Wales for 41 matches, recording 16 victories, including memorable wins over Italy and Brazil. His contribution as both player and manager leaves a lasting legacy in Welsh football.
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