Image source: bbc.com
Former Leeds United and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness, his family confirmed on Thursday. The legendary player scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for Leeds during a nine-year spell and won 59 caps for Wales, also enjoying a successful management career that included spells with Swansea and the Welsh national team.
Leeds United and Wales Legend Terry Yorath Dies Aged 75 Following Short Illness
Yorath began his professional career at Leeds United in 1967, spending nine years at Elland Road where he made 199 appearances and scored 11 goals. The midfielder was part of the Leeds team that won the First Division title in 1974 and also earned runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners Cup during his time with the Yorkshire club.
After leaving Leeds, Yorath continued his playing career with Coventry City before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City. He finished his playing career with a solitary appearance for Swansea City, having also served as player-coach during his time at Bradford, where he was assistant coach on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985 that killed 56 fans and injured 270.
Yorath’s international career saw him win 59 caps for Wales after making his debut in 1970. Following his retirement as a player, he moved into management with spells in charge of Swansea, Wales, Bradford, Cardiff, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate. He guided Swansea to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1988 and came within one game of reaching the 1994 World Cup finals while managing Wales.
Yorath’s children, including BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan, paid tribute to their father in a statement. “To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man. Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel,” they said. Daniel died aged 15 in 1992 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with his father.
