Gabby Logan pays tribute to her 'warrior' dad Yorath

3 hours ago

PA Media Gabby Logan and Terry Yorath at a football stadium. They are wearing formal attire with Yorath in a suit with a scarf. Logan has a jacket on with black gloves. There are people stood behind them clapping.

Presenter Gabby Logan has paid tribute to her dad, Welsh football legend Terry Yorath, describing him as a “kind-hearted and generous man” who had a “wicked sense of humour”.

The former Leeds United and Wales midfielder died at the age of 75 this week following a short illness.

Posting on Instagram, Logan shared the tribute accompanied by several family photos from her dad’s life and career.

Logan was presenting Match of the Day on Wednesday night before abruptly leaving the show during the broadcast.

She was replaced by Mark Chapman, who said his co-host had to deal with a “family emergency”.

Logan thanked people for sharing messages of love and support.

“Our dad a warrior on the football pitch, captaining club and country, a kind hearted and generous man off it,” she said.

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She said his death had been a “shock” despite knowing he had a limited amount of time after suffering from ill health.

People from the football world commented on the post paying their respects.

Former players including Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Rio Ferdinand – who have all worked with Logan as pundits – sent supportive messages to the broadcaster on the Instagram post.

Getty Images Terry Yorath pictured in a Wales kit in 1980. He is looking at a football as he kicks it. The crowd in the stadium can be seen blurred in the background.

Logan also referenced the Valley Parade fire that killed 56 people and injured more than 250 others during a match against Lincoln City in may 1985.

She said the tragedy “defined the second half” of Yorath’s life – he was player-coach of Bradford at the time and was at Valley Parade when it happened.

Yorath had three other children – Daniel, Louise and Jordan.

In 1992, Yorath was playing football with 15-year-old Daniel in the garden at home, when the teenager collapsed and died. He had an undetected heart genetic condition – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Getty Images Terry Yorath and his family in a black and white image. His wife Christine with daughters and Louise and son Daniel.

PA Media Gabby Logan wearing a black dress with gold sequence scattered across it. She is holding a microphone in her right hand and the Sports Personality of the Year award can be seen blurred in the background on her right.

Logan credited her dad with instilling a “lifelong love of sport” in her as she reflected on a career that has seen her present many international events such as World Cups, European Championships and the Six Nations.

She also thanked the NHS staff at the St James’s University Hospital in Leeds who cared for Yorath with “such tenderness”.

Gabby Logan pays tribute to her ‘warrior’ dad Yorath