Broadcaster Gabby Logan has paid an emotional tribute to her father, Terry Yorath, following his death at the age of 75. The former Leeds United captain and Wales manager passed away after a brief illness, his family confirmed on Thursday morning.
Logan, who had to leave her presenting duties on Match of the Day early the previous evening due to a “family emergency”, took to Instagram to share a deeply personal tribute. She wrote: “Rest in peace dad, our hearts are broken. Your love and legacy lives on.” In a longer post, she described sitting by his bed at St James Hospital in Leeds, where they debated whether roast potatoes were better with calves’ liver than mash. “That was the meal he’d decided he wanted when he went home, tomorrow. I left and went to work, he was looking forward to watching Newcastle v his beloved Leeds. He won’t go home tomorrow. But he is reunited with Daniel and that will feel like home.”
Yorath, born in Cardiff, enjoyed a distinguished playing career, making 198 appearances for Leeds United and winning the old First Division championship in 1974. He captained Wales 42 times in his 59 international appearances. After retiring, he managed the Welsh national team for six years, nearly guiding them to the 1994 World Cup, and later managed Bradford City.
Leeds United described him as a “club legend”, adding: “We are devastated by his passing.” The Football Association of Wales also paid tribute, saying: “Terry Yorath will be remembered in Wales for his contribution to the game.” Former player Dean Windass called him “a great man and a gentleman”.
Yorath’s son Daniel, the eldest of four children, died aged 15 in 1992 after collapsing while playing football in the family garden. A post-mortem revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In her tribute, Logan referenced her brother, saying her father was “reunited with Daniel”. She also thanked the staff at St James Hospital for their care.
