The funeral of Terry Yorath, the former Wales captain and manager, took place in Leeds on Thursday, drawing some of football's biggest names to pay their respects. Yorath, who died on 7 January at the age of 75 after a brief illness, was remembered for his leadership, resilience, and contributions to the sport.
Yorath was a key figure in Don Revie's Leeds United side of the 1970s, winning the First Division title in 1974 and earning a European Cup runners-up medal. Born in Cardiff, he earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining the side 42 times. His playing career also included spells at Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bradford City.
Among the mourners were former teammates and rivals, including Ian Rush and Joe Jordan. Rush described Yorath as "something special," highlighting his humility and dedication to the team. Jordan recalled their early days together at Leeds, saying Yorath was "a terrific friend" and a player who "could play as well."
Yorath's life was marked by personal tragedy, including the death of his son Daniel at 15 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1992. He was also present at the Bradford City stadium fire in 1985. Despite these hardships, he remained a humble and resilient figure, according to those who knew him.
The service at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Moortown featured a performance by the Welsh male choir Cor Meibion Taf, who sang 'Danny Boy' in tribute to Daniel, 'You'll Never Walk Alone', and the hymn 'All Through the Night'. The choir travelled from Cardiff on the Welsh FA's official bus.
Yorath is survived by his children Louise, Gabby Logan, and Jordan. His legacy as a player and manager, who led Wales close to World Cup qualification in 1993, was celebrated by the football community.
