Football Mourns Terry Yorath With Moving Leeds Farewell

The city of Leeds came together on January 26, 2026, to bid a heartfelt farewell to Terry Yorath, the renowned footballer, manager, and beloved family man whose influence spanned generations and transcended club rivalries. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Harrogate Road was filled with the sounds of Welsh hymns, the presence of footballing legends, and the warmth of memories shared by those who knew Yorath best.

Yorath, who passed away on January 7, 2026, at the age of 75 after a short illness, left behind a legacy that reached far beyond the pitch. He was a Cardiff-born midfielder who carved out an illustrious playing career with Leeds United, making 199 appearances during a nine-year spell. His talents were not confined to Yorkshire; he earned 59 caps for Wales, captaining his country in 42 of those matches and leading them during the Euro 1976 campaign. His club career also included stints at Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps, Bradford City, and Swansea City, before moving into management and coaching roles with teams such as Wales, Swansea, Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford, Lebanese side Al-Ansar, and as assistant manager at Huddersfield Town.

The funeral service, attended by around 100 mourners, was a touching blend of public tribute and private remembrance. The church was adorned with flowers in the blue, yellow, and white of Leeds United, and a floral arrangement in the shape of the Wales flag. A 'Dad' tribute in those iconic Leeds colours sat atop the hearse, a poignant reminder that for all his public achievements, Yorath's family saw him as “a quiet, kind and gentle man.” As his children wrote in a statement after his passing, “To most he was a revered footballing hero, but to us he was Dad… Our hearts are broken but we take comfort knowing that he will be reunited with our brother, Daniel.”

Daniel, Yorath's youngest son, died suddenly in 1992 at the age of 15 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart condition. The loss left an indelible mark on the family and on Yorath himself. During the service, his son Jordan spoke movingly of his father's resilience: “He persevered through pain,” he said, reflecting on the profound grief that followed Daniel's death and the earlier trauma of the 1985 Bradford City stadium fire, where Yorath was player-coach and attended the funerals of all 56 victims. “Football was his lifeblood,” Jordan added, but it was clear that family was at the heart of Yorath’s world.

Gabby Logan, Yorath’s daughter and well-known BBC presenter, shared her gratitude for the “outpouring of love” from fans and the comforting stories shared by strangers. She also revealed her last conversation with her father, which took place just days before his passing. “Yesterday afternoon I sat by his bed in St James’s University Hospital Leeds and we had a debate about whether roast potatoes were better with calves liver than mash potatoes. 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.” Logan added, “Our Dad, a warrior on the football pitch, captaining club and country, a kind-hearted and generous man off it, would have hated all the attention. (Well, most of it). The stories that have been shared by strangers with us today have been enormously comforting. He touched so many people’s lives.”

The service itself was rich with music and personal touches. The Welsh choir Côr Meibion Taf sang beloved hymns, including 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' as the cortege entered, and 'Cwm Rhondda' as the first hymn. Gabby’s son Reuben read a poem, and her daughter Lois sang 'Jerusalem' at her grandfather’s request. The service closed with 'Danny Boy' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone', the latter echoing through the church as the congregation departed, a fitting tribute to a man who had weathered so many storms.

Among the mourners were a host of footballing greats and colleagues from across the decades. Former players such as Ian Rush, Kevin Ratcliffe, Mickey Thomas, Eddie Gray, Clyde Wijnhard, Don Goodman, and Stuart McCall attended, alongside pundits like Chris Kamara and commentator Bryn Law. Former managers Peter Jackson and Chris Coleman also paid their respects, as did representatives from the Football Association of Wales. The presence of so many figures from different clubs and eras spoke volumes about Yorath’s impact on the sport and the esteem in which he was held.

Elis James, the comedian and presenter, delivered a eulogy that captured both the tragedy and the triumph of Yorath’s life. He spoke of how Daniel’s death “devastated the whole family and the whole community”, and how Yorath was “ravaged by grief” yet somehow continued to lift others up. “Wherever he went he left people feeling better… he had time for everyone,” James said, adding that he hoped Yorath’s final moments were met with the words, “Hello Dad.”

Ian Rush, the Liverpool and Wales legend, also reflected on Yorath’s influence, telling BBC, “He gave me all the confidence. As a manager he always put players before himself and he was something special.” Rush recalled the famous 1991 match when Wales beat Germany 1-0, saying, “It was with the help of Terry making me feel confident and that's something I'll never forget.”

Yorath’s footballing achievements were considerable. He was part of the Leeds United side that won the First Division in 1973-74 and reached the European Cup final in 1975. As Wales manager, he led the national team through some of its most memorable moments in the 1980s and 1990s, with Elis James describing him as being “on the Mount Rushmore of Welsh football.” Yorath was also instrumental in changing the anthem played before Wales matches from 'God Save The Queen' to 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', a move that symbolized pride and identity for Welsh football.

After the church service, a private burial was held, followed by a wake at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, a place where Yorath’s contribution is etched into the fabric of the club. Attendees shared memories, laughter, and tears, remembering not only the footballer and manager but the devoted father, friend, and mentor.

As Father Dennis Cassidy noted in his sermon, Yorath “lived life to the full in generosity,” and those who mourn him will not forget his “warmth, kindness and sense of humour.” It was a day of sorrow, but also of gratitude for a life that touched so many—on the pitch, in the stands, and at home.

The passing of Terry Yorath leaves a void in British football and in the hearts of those who loved him, but his legacy endures in every story told, every match remembered, and every life he helped shape along the way.