Football Pays Tribute as Leeds and Wales Icon Terry Yorath Dies at 75

Tributes have poured in from across the football world following the death of former Leeds United and Wales midfielder Terry Yorath, who has passed away at the age of 75 after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy defined by leadership, resilience and deep personal strength.

Yorath, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Leeds United’s modern history, scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for the club during a distinguished nine-year spell that began in 1967. His time at Elland Road coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, highlighted by winning the First Division title in 1974. He also collected runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup, underlining Leeds’ consistent presence at the top of English and European football during that era.

On the international stage, Yorath was equally respected. He earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining his country on 42 occasions, a testament to the trust placed in him by teammates and coaches alike. After retiring from international football, he went on to manage Wales, guiding the national side to the brink of qualification for the 1994 World Cup finals. Although Wales narrowly missed out after a dramatic 2–1 defeat to Romania in their final qualifier, Yorath’s tenure is remembered for restoring belief and competitiveness to the team.

Beyond Leeds, Yorath enjoyed a varied and accomplished club career, with spells at Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City. He brought his playing days to a close with a single appearance for Swansea City, a fitting end in Welsh football for a man who gave so much to the national game.

Yorath’s life also intersected with one of English football’s darkest moments. As player-coach of Bradford City, he was present on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 56 supporters and injured 270 others. His experiences from that day further shaped his reputation as a figure of compassion and dignity within the sport.

In a statement, his children paid a moving tribute to the man behind the footballing achievements. “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,” they said.