Football was plunged into sadness on Thursday morning following the death of Leeds United legend Terry Yorath, who passed away at the age of 75 after a brief illness. The news came shortly after his daughter, broadcaster Gabby Logan, had left Wednesday night’s Match of the Day broadcast midway through, citing a “family emergency,” as explained by her replacement Mark Chapman.
Gabby Logan shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for the outpouring of messages from fans and strangers alike. She described her father as a “warrior on the football pitch” who captained both club and country, yet remained a kind, generous, and humble man off it. She noted that Yorath would have likely disliked the attention but was comforted by the stories people shared about him.
In her post, Logan recounted spending time with her father in St James’s Hospital in Leeds just the day before his passing. They shared moments of warmth and humor, including a debate over whether roast potatoes were better with calves’ liver or mashed potatoes—the meal Yorath had planned to enjoy at home the following day. Tragically, that reunion never came, but Gabby found solace in knowing that he would now be reunited with her brother Daniel, who passed away at 15, a loss that had profoundly affected Yorath for the rest of his life.
Gabby’s tribute highlighted both the lighthearted and life-lesson moments her father shared with his children. She recalled playful family competitions, lessons about money, and encouragement to embrace sport, all delivered with Yorath’s characteristic humor and mischievousness. She also thanked the staff on J16 at St James’s Hospital for their compassionate care, calling them “angels” for the tenderness they showed during his final days. Photographs shared in the tribute showed Yorath in everyday family life—playing with the dogs, working in the kitchen, and celebrating important family moments, including Gabby’s wedding.
The announcement of Yorath’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and former colleagues, although it was marred by a controversial message from ex-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys. Keys suggested he had helped Gabby get a role at Sky because of Yorath, sparking widespread criticism. TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods publicly condemned Keys’ comments, describing him as a “t**t” and calling out the insensitivity of his statement. Former BBC broadcaster Dan Walker also defended Logan, emphasizing the family’s grief and the inappropriateness of Keys’ remarks.
Born in Cardiff, Terry Yorath had a distinguished playing career. He was a key member of the Leeds United team under Don Revie that won the First Division in 1973-74 and also had spells at Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bradford City. Across nine years at Leeds, he made 199 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and won runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup. Yorath earned 59 caps for Wales during his international career.
Beyond his playing days, Yorath was heavily involved in management and coaching. He was assistant coach at Bradford City during the tragic Valley Parade fire in 1985, in which 56 fans lost their lives. He went on to manage clubs including Swansea City, Bradford, Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday, Margate, and even the Lebanon national team. He also managed Wales, narrowly missing out on qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
Gabby and her siblings described their father as a “quiet, kind and gentle man” and emphasized the importance of his role as a loving parent and grandfather. He is survived by his children Gabby, Louise, and Jordan, and grandchildren Reuben, Lois, Mila, Phoenix, and Paloma, leaving behind a legacy both in football and within his family.
Terry Yorath’s passing not only marks the loss of a footballing icon but also reminds the sport of the human stories behind the game—the family, love, and resilience that define its legends.
