Summary

  • Terry Yorath has died at the age of 75 following a short illness.

  • Midfielder won the First Division title with Leeds in 1974 and earned a runners-up medal in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup

  • He played 59 times for Wales, 42 as captain, before leading them to the brink of the 1994 World Cup finals as manager, only to see his team beaten 2-1 by Romania in their final qualifier

  • Yorath also played for Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City, before finishing his playing career with a solitary appearance for Swansea City

  • The father of BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan, Yorath was a player-coach of Bradford on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, which killed 56 fans and injured 270

  • In addition to Gabby, Yorath had three other children - Daniel, Louise and Jordan

  • In 1992, Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with his father

  • A warrior touched by tragedy - Terry Yorath obituary

  1. Remembering Wales and Leeds great Yorathpublished at 13:16 GMT 8 January

    That's the end of our live coverage of the tributes paid to Leeds United and Wales greatTerry Yorath, who has died at the age of 75 following a short illness.

    It is clear how highly Yorath was regarded by team-mates, opponents and players he coached during his glittering career - a true legend of the game.

    He was also deeply affected by tragedy during his life - his son Daniel died aged just 15 in 1992 - and the touching tribute from his family was a moving reminder of the man Yorath was.

    In a statement this morning, Yorath's children said:"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."

    Read more: A warrior touched by tragedy - Terry Yorath obituary

    Terry Yorath, then of Coventry City, pictured at home with family, 17th March 1978. Wife Christine Yorath, daughters Gabby (4) and Louise (3) and son Daniel (1)Image source, Getty Images
  2. 'A very good player but above all a very good man'published at 13:13 GMT 8 January

    Leeds United - where Yorath enjoyed so much success - have confirmed they will wear black armbands in their FA Cup third-round tie at Derby County on Sunday, with further tributes planned for their next game at Elland Road against Fulham.

    It's as former team-mate Eddie Gray paid an emotional tribute to the Welshman.

    Both were part of the iconic Leeds side under Don Revie that lifted the league title and came close to European glory.

    Gray told the Press Association: "He was a tough player, a very good player.

    "He was captain of his country, which made him very proud.

    "He was a big part of the success we had at Leeds. He was a very proud Welshman and his greatest achievement was to have been captain of his country.

    "He came through the ranks at Leeds as a young lad like all the players at that particular time and we had a lot of top players, but he went about his role with a lot of tenacity and did very well.

    "A tough player and a very good footballer, but above all he was a very good man."

  3. 'A fantastic person with a great family'published at 13:09 GMT 8 January

    Clayton Blackmore
    Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

    I remember him coming in when he first took over the Wales job. He said: "There's going to be no more drinking, no more golf." He wanted us to focus.

    He was very resilient, he was a tough guy, and a tough player on the field. He was a fantastic person, with a great family.

    He was proud of all his kids, I think that's all you can ask for as an adult. He was a fantastic guy and he'll be sadly missed.

  4. 'One of the greats'published at 13:05 GMT 8 January

    John Hartson
    Former Wales striker

    One of the greats to represent Wales. Passing my condolences to the Yorath family.

  5. Postpublished at 13:03 GMT 8 January

    Brian Barry-Murphy
    Cardiff City head coach

    “It's obviously very sad news this morning, one of the few managers who managed both clubs, Cardiff and Swansea back in the day. I'd like to read up some more on that and, get some background on that.

    “Massive condolences from everybody associated with our club to his family.

    “I had some brief contact with him in my younger career. One of my friends, Jimmy Lumsden [who Barry-Murphy worked with at Preston North End] was a colleague of his at Leeds. He always spoke of him in the absolute highest regard. So very sad news.”

  6. Postpublished at 13:00 GMT 8 January

    Ossie Ardiles
    Former team-mate of Yorath at Tottenham Hotspur

    Rest in peace my friend. My thoughts and prayers with his family and friends.

    Tottenham Hotspur Football Club's Osvaldo Ardiles (also known as Ossie Ardiles) left, chasing Coventry City FC's Terry Yorath during a match at White Hart Lane stadium, London, September 30th 1978.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Yorath and Ardiles as opponents in 1978

  7. 'To play against Yorath was a nightmare'published at 12:55 GMT 8 January

    Mickey Thomas
    Former Wales and Wrexham winger on BBC Radio Wales

    I was lucky enough to play with him, but to play against him was a nightmare. I played against him at Old Trafford and he kicked lumps out of me.

    There was something about him when you looked at him, when you spoke to him he demanded respect.

  8. Postpublished at 12:52 GMT 8 January

    Eluned Morgan
    First Minister of Wales

    Saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Yorath. Football fans across Wales will never forget his feats as a player and especially as our national coach.

    My thoughts are with his friends and family.

  9. 'A footballing hero who will be sadly missed'published at 12:49 GMT 8 January

    Ashley Williams
    Former Wales captain speaking to Sky Sports

    As a former Wales captain myself, he’s such an icon in Welsh football. He’s a footballing hero who will be sadly missed. He was such a big personality and it’s a huge loss for Welsh football.

    There’s certain, massive footballing names that you hear about when you get selected for Wales or play in Wales. He’s one of them at the top of that list and you know you have to live up to what they achieved before, and those are the people that drive Welsh football forward.

    For what we and the next Wales team achieve, it’s all because of people like him.

  10. 'A fatherly figure and a leader'published at 12:46 GMT 8 January

    Nathan Blake
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    "He had great leadership qualities. He expected a lot of professionalism, but you could have a joke with him, he could wind you up. He was a fatherly figure.

    "I was in the under-21s when I came across him... He was very much a leader."

    "Players like Kevin Ratcliffe and [Ian] Rush had huge respect for him."

    "I remember his combative nature and aggression when he played. He had a sort of never-say-die attitude. He taught you that when you play in a game, stay in the game... He was a very good player and you definitely couldn't take advantage of him on a football pitch."

  11. 'Yorath had a presence unlike any other manager I played under'published at 12:43 GMT 8 January

    Malcolm Allen
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Cymru

    "Terry Yorath had a presence that was unlike any other manager I've played under.

    "He was a people person. He didn't say much, he didn't shout - it was Peter Shreeves who did that - and they both suited each other in the changing room.

    "What Terry always said was that it was down to what we needed as a team. And we were so close in the last game for me and him against Romania - that was the last international game for both of us."

  12. Yorath's regret as Wales managerpublished at 12:40 GMT 8 January

    Terry Yorath (right) consoles Ian Rush after Wales lose to Romania in 1993Image source, Getty Images

    Despite the silverware and the accomplishments, there was always a sense of regret from Yorath that he couldn't quite take Wales to a major finals as manager.

    The FAW paid tribute this morning saying the former captain "brought the best out of a talented generation of players that included Neville Southall, Ian Rush, Gary Speed, Mark Hughes, Dean Saunders and Ryan Giggs" as Wales looked to reach the 1994 World Cup in a campaign that captured the imagination of a nation.

    But defeat in the final qualifier against Romania - that included a Paul Bodin penalty miss and a rare mistake from Southall - ended the dream, with Yorath admitting he believed his career was defined by the defeat.

    He left his post as Wales manager after that night in November 1993, which had its own tragedy.

    You can read about the game and Yorath's thoughts here: When Romania Broke Welsh Hearts

  13. 'Terry was hard as nails - we all loved him'published at 12:37 GMT 8 January

    Dean Saunders
    Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

    He played a big part in my career. Hard as nails, straight down the middle.

    I used to talk to Graeme Souness, and I asked: "Is there anybody who you thought was harder than you?"

    And he just said: "Terry Yorath." He respected Terry.

    Terry used to just say little things that would stick with you, not so much tactics but the man management things. It's a sad loss for Welsh football.

    We all loved him.

  14. 'Great man and a gentleman'published at 12:35 GMT 8 January

    Dean Windass
    Played under Yorath at Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday

    Sad news. Great man and a gentleman. Thoughts go to his family.

  15. Touched by tragedy at Bradfordpublished at 12:33 GMT 8 January

    Bradford City have been among those to pay their respects today.

    Yorath was affectionately known as 'Taff' at Valley Parade where he spent time as a player, manager and assistant manager to Paul Jewell when the club reached the Premier League.

    He initially joined after leaving Vancouver Whitecaps in 1982, linking up with old Leeds team-mate Trevor Cherry.

    At the time of the Bradford fire in 1985, Yorath was assistant coach with the Bantams, and helped evacuate supporters - including his own family - during the disaster.

    Talking about the events of that day at Valley Parade on BBC Radio Wales in 2017, Yorath said that after warning people in the directors' lounge to get out, he had to "break a window and jump out of it".

    He added: "The first thing I saw when I got outside was this old guy with his hands folded across his chest and you could see the burns on his arms.

    "It was horrendous to go back there the next day and see the devastation. It was horrible, horrible... shocking."

    Read more from our look back on Terry Yorath's life here: A warrior touched by tragedy

  16. Sky Blues send their sympathiespublished at 12:28 GMT 8 January

    Terry Yorath (right) in action for CoventryImage source, Getty Images

    Yorath's playing days saw him make more than 300 senior appearances.

    After leaving Leeds in 1976, he spent three years at Coventry City as captain.

    Today, the Sky Blues described how Yorath's "no-nonsense midfield battling won great admiration alongside his guile and flair".

    They also called him "the pivot around which City operated as the side transformed from perennial relegation battlers to a side playing attractive football".

  17. When Yorath's Wales toppled Brazilpublished at 12:24 GMT 8 January

    Media caption,

    11 September 1991: Wales 1-0 Brazil

  18. Welsh clubs unite over Yorathpublished at 12:19 GMT 8 January

    Yorath is one of very few figures to have managed both Cardiff City and Swansea City - with both clubs of the south Wales divide paying their respects today.

    Yorath's managerial career began at the Swans in 1986, leading a side including the young defensive pair of Andy Melville and Chris Coleman to play-off promotion from the old Fourth Division in 1988.

    It was the first of two reigns as Swansea boss - which he would later combine with the Wales national job.

    He would then go on to take charge of Cardiff in a short spell in 1994 following a period as general manager at Ninian Park, close to where he was brought up in the city suburb of Grangetown.

    Cardiff said they offered its sincerest condolences while Swansea said: "He will go down as one of Welsh football’s greats, and everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Terry’s family and friends at this sad time."

  19. 'He was dad; a quiet, kind and gentle man'published at 12:14 GMT 8 January

    Terry Yorath with his son DanielImage source, Getty Images

    The father of BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan, Terry Yorath was a player-coach of Bradford on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, which killed 56 fans and injured 270.

    In addition to Gabby, Yorath had three other children - Daniel, Louise and Jordan.

    In 1992, Daniel died aged 15 from the genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing football at home with his father.

    "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," Yorath's children said in a statement.

    Gabby was presenting Match of the Day on Wednesday night but left during the broadcast and was replaced by Mark Chapman, who said his co-host had to leave for a "family emergency".

  20. 'A defining figure in Wales history'published at 12:11 GMT 8 January

    Terry Yorath (left) issues instructions as Wales managerImage source, Getty Images

    A hard-edged midfielder, Yorath won 59 caps for Wales - and was captain when the 'forgotten' side of 1976 reached the quarter-finals of the European Championships.

    He went on to manage the national team between 1988 and 1993, taking them to within a crossbar of the 1994 World Cup.

    The Football Association of Wales led their tributes today, describing Yorath as a "defining figure" in the history of football in the country.

    "He will be remembered fondly by those who had seen him play for club and country, while the qualifying campaigns that defined his time as Cymru (Wales) captain and manager will always be remembered for what might have been," the FAW said.