Former Wales international Terry Yorath, the father of Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan, has died at the age of 75. Yorath enjoyed a stellar career in English football, most notably with Leeds United between 1967 and 1976. He was an instrumental figure during one of the club’s most successful periods under legendary manager Don Revie.
After leaving Elland Road, he played for the likes of Coventry City, Tottenham, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City. Yorath was also a regular for the Wales national team, winning 59 caps between 1970 and 1981. Following his retirement, he embarked on an extensive managerial career and is fondly remembered for his time in charge of Swansea City. He later managed Wales, coming close to qualification for the World Cup in 1994.
Yorath’s family announced the news of his death in a statement, with his children 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.”
The statement added: “Terry Yorath will be remembered for his significant contribution to football and for the profound respect in which he was held by players, colleagues, and supporters alike. He leaves a lasting legacy and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
It comes after Logan, his daughter, was forced to leave Match of the Day just 20 minutes into the broadcast on Wednesday night because of a family emergency.
Mark Chapman was rushed in to replace her on short notice, telling viewers: “Sadly Gabby has got a family emergency that she’s had to rush off and deal with.
“She’s gone to do that and I’ve come from the radio to finish the show. We will look at what happened in that Manchester City-Brighton game right now…”
Logan previously shed light on her upbringing with Yorath, telling The Guardian: “They [her parents] had three of us by the time they were 24.
“They were still being young, so on the one hand they were quite laissez-faire about certain things and then when it came to behaviour, manners and etiquette they were very strict. They were both from working-class backgrounds.
“Dad was a professional footballer and very aware that it was about hard work and being true to yourself and not wasting your talents, so that was what was instilled in us.
“Sport was always the bedrock of our family. From a child’s point of view and from my dad’s point of view that was pretty much our lives growing up.
“My sister and I were into gymnastics. My brother Daniel was a really good footballer and, obviously, it was Dad’s job.
“So although we all tinkered with musical instruments and we liked acting, sport was dominant. Dad might only spend two or three seasons with a club, so we led a very peripatetic existence.”