Terry Yorath funeral attended by family and friends
Gabby Logan was among the approximately 100 mourners who took part in an emotional funeral for her dad, Terry Yorath, reports BritPanorama.
Friends and family assembled at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Leeds this afternoon to bid farewell to the Welsh football icon.
The Cardiff-born midfielder, who passed away on January 7 aged 75 following a brief illness, was laid to rest in the city where he spent nine years as a player.
BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan led the tributes to her father, accompanied by her husband Kenny and their son Reuben. Yorath’s coffin arrived decorated with floral arrangements in the blue, yellow and white of Leeds United, alongside a tribute shaped as the Welsh flag.
Mourners sang the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, as the coffin entered the church. A floral display reading “Grandad” was placed by his grandchildren, with Gabby describing her father as a “kind-hearted and generous man” who possessed a “wicked sense of humour”. Her daughter Lois, aged 20, performed Jerusalem at her grandfather’s specific request, while Reuben read a poem to those gathered in the church.
Following Yorath’s death earlier this month, his children released a statement saying: “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.”
Daniel Yorath sadly died in 1992 at just 15 years old from a genetic heart condition whilst playing football with his father. Several prominent figures from the football world attended the service to pay their respects, including former Wales defender and manager Chris Coleman, and ex-Bradford City players Don Goodman and Stuart McCall.
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray also made his way to the ceremony to honour his former teammate. Comedian and presenter Elis James delivered the eulogy, recounting Yorath’s remarkable sporting life and addressing the devastating loss of Daniel, which he said “devastated the whole family and the whole community”. Goodman has previously spoken about the significant influence Yorath had on his early career during their time together at Bradford City.
The Welsh male voice choir Côr Meibion Taf performed hymns throughout the service. Yorath earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining his country in 42 of those appearances, establishing himself as one of the nation’s most distinguished players.
His finest years came at Leeds United, where he made 199 appearances between 1967 and 1976, winning the First Division championship in 1973-74 under Don Revie. He also collected runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup during his time at Elland Road. As Wales manager in the early 1990s, Yorath came agonisingly close to guiding his country to the 1994 World Cup, only for a 2-1 defeat to Romania in Cardiff to end those hopes. He is survived by his children, Gabby, Louise and Jordan, and five grandchildren.
In reflecting on this poignant gathering, one can’t help but sense the weight of both loss and legacy, a reminder of how deeply football’s finest intertwine with the lives of those who love them.
