The funeral of Wales and Leeds United legend Terry Yorath was held in Leeds on Monday, with thousands of people from across the football world attending to pay their respects.
Gabby Logan was one of the mourners at Terry Yorath’s funeral (Image: PA)
Terry Yorath was buried in an emotional funeral in Leeds. The former Wales manager and Leeds United legend sadly passed away at the age of 75 in early January.
His children Louise, Jordan and TV presenter Gabby Logan gathered at Our Lady of the Virgin Catholic Church in Leeds on Monday to say goodbye to their father. Around 100 people attended the service for the former Leeds, Coventry City, Tottenham, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City player, which included hymns by Welsh choir Cole Mavion Tough and readings by broadcaster Ellis James.
The funeral began with the singing of the Welsh national anthem, “Hen Ulad Fy Nadau”, followed by Ms Yorath’s granddaughter Lois Logan singing Jerusalem, her grandson Reuben Logan reciting a poem, her grandsons Paloma Yorath and Phoenix Yorath reading prayers, and Ms Yorath’s son Jordan delivering the eulogy. The evening ended with the choir singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
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There was also mention of Mr Yorath’s son Daniel, who tragically passed away in 1992 at the age of just 15 from a genetic heart condition, and a choir sang ‘Danny Boy’ in his honour. After his death, a statement from his children read: “Our hearts are broken, but we take comfort in knowing he will be reunited with our brother Daniel.”
As well as family members including Gabby Logan and her husband, former Scottish rugby international Kenny Logan, guests included former Wales manager Chris Coleman, Liverpool and Wales legend Ian Rush and former Leeds player and TV personality Chris Kamara.
Terry Yorath was buried at Our Lady of the Virgin Catholic Church, Leeds (Image: PA)
A number of figures from the world of football also took part, including former Wales players Dean Saunders, Kevin Ratcliffe, Clayton Blackmore and Mickey Thomas, as well as Yolas’ former Leeds team-mates Eddie Gray and Paul Reaney.
Rush was among those who paid tribute to Yorath after he left the church. The former Wales striker told the BBC: “He gave me all the confidence. As a manager he always put the players before himself and was special.” He added: “Terry gave me a lot of confidence and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Gabby Logan and Kenny Logan after the funeral (Image: PA)
In a heartbreaking tribute posted on social media after his death, Gabby Logan wrote: “Our father was a warrior on the football pitch, captained his club and country, and off the field he was a kind and generous man, but he hated the attention (well, most of it).”
“The stories that strangers shared with us today were very comforting. He touched the lives of so many people.
“We knew he had limited time but it’s still a shock. Yesterday afternoon I sat by his bedside at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and debated whether roast potatoes with calf’s liver were better than mashed potatoes.
Ian Rush pays tribute to Terry Yorath after the service (Image: PA)
Former Scotland international and Bradford manager Stuart McCall was also a guest (Image: PA)
“That was the meal he had decided he wanted to have when he got home tomorrow. I left the house and went to work. He was looking forward to watching his favorite game, Newcastle v Leeds. He won’t be going home tomorrow, but he’ll be reunited with Daniel and it will feel like home.”
“It’s a shame he had to endure so much pain. The tragedy of the Bradford fire will forever be in his heart and the loss of Daniel defined the second half of his life.
Chris Kamara was among the mourners in Leeds (Image: PA)
“Thank you dad for instilling in me a passion for fairness. Thank you for letting me play rounders and competing after dinner even though Louise always beat me. Thank you for not making me pay $1,865,986 when I was 8 years old and kept losing on double or give-up cards.”
“Thank you for teaching me the value of money by challenging me to eat a pot of mustard for dinner for £5 so I could buy the shoes I wanted when I was 12 (even though my mother was scared). Thank you for giving me a lifelong love of sport. Thank you for relentlessly teasing me with your wicked sense of humour.”
“And to the wonderful staff at Jimmy’s J16 who were so kind and caring to him, you are all angels. I love you, Dad.”
