Leeds and Wales legend Yorath dies aged 75

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, his first professional club, in a nine-year spell from 1967.

He 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 had spells as a player with 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.

“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.

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

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”.

After hanging up his boots, Yorath moved into management and had spells in charge of Swansea, Wales, Bradford, Cardiff, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate.

He steered Swansea to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1988 and before almost guiding Wales to a first World Cup finals since 1958.

Leeds United said they were “devastated” to hear of Yorath’s passing, adding: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Terry’s family, friends and former team-mates at this incredibly sad time.”

Yorath managed Wales for 41 games and led them to 16 victories, including wins against Italy and Brazil.

“The thoughts of everyone connected to the association are with Terry’s family, friends and loved ones,” the Wales FA posted on X.

Former Bradford striker Dean Windass wrote on X: “Sad news, great man and a gentleman. Thoughts go to his family RIP.”

Yorath spent 44 games in charge of Margate FC and won the Isle of Thanet Gazette Cup in 2009-10.