Mourners are today gathering for the funeral of Leeds United and Wales legend Terry Yorath after his death aged 75.
Yorath, who earned 59 caps with his beloved country and played nearly 200 times for Leeds, died after a short illness in hospital on January 7.
The sporting legend is survived by three children including BBC presenter Gabby Logan who was forced to leave Match of the Day mid-show after being informed of the family emergency earlier this month.
Yorath also had another child, Daniel, who tragically died in 1992 aged 15 from a genetic heart condition while playing football with him.
He also suffered another off-field tragedy when he witnessed at first hand the tragedy of the Bradford City fire in 1985, in which 56 people died, while he was a coach at the club.
His children said in a statement upon his death: ‘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.
Yorath, who passed away at a Leeds hospital, is today being laid to rest at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in the city.
A hearse with a floral ‘Grandad’ tribute was seen arriving at the church at around midday. At the time of his death, Yorath was described as a ‘loving and immensely proud grandfather to Reuben, Lois, Mila, Phoenix and Paloma’.
The Côr Meibion Taf will be singing hymns during the service and many loved ones and former footballers are expected to be in attendance today.
Former Wales defender and manager Chris Coleman and ex-Bradford City players Don Goodman and Stuart McCall were among those seen arriving early for Yorath’s funeral this morning.
Logan and other family members attended Leeds United’s match against Fulham, where players and fans paid tribute to Yorath before the game.
Born in Cardiff, Yorath played a big part in the Leeds team under Don Revie, winning the First Division title, before spells with Coventry, Tottenham and Bradford.
Gabby Logan with her father Terry Yorath in 1998, launching a heart disease screening drive
Former Wales player and manager Chris Coleman arrives for the funeral of Terry Yorath
Don Goodman arriving for the funeral service for Terry Yorath at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Goodman has spoken highly of the impact Yorath had during his early career at Bradford City
Stuart McCall (right) during the funeral service for Terry Yorath at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Leeds
A hearse with ‘Grandad’ arrives before the funeral service for Terry Yorath
Coleman was seen arriving at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Leeds
Terry Yorath with his daughter Gabby on her wedding day at Logie Kirk in Scotland in July 2001
Terry Yorath at home in 1978 with his wife Christine and children Gabby, Louise and Daniel
Yorath scored 11 goals in 199 appearances for Leeds over nine years from 1967, and received runners-up medals in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners Cup.
Yorath also managed Swansea, Bradford, Cardiff, Lebanon, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate – as well as Wales, coming close to qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
The midfielder was an assistant coach at Bradford on the day of the Valley Parade fire in 1985, when 56 fans died and 270 were injured. He helped evacuate supporters – including his own family – during the disaster.
‘Everyone at Leeds United is devastated to learn of the passing of club legend Terry Yorath,’ his former club said in a statement. ‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Terry’s family, friends and former team-mates at this incredibly sad time.’
The Welsh FA added: ‘The FAW is deeply saddened to learn of Terry Yorath’s passing. The thoughts of everyone connected to the association are with Terry’s family, friends and loved ones.’
Wales would have qualified for the 1994 World Cup had they beaten Romania in Cardiff, but they missed a penalty at 1-1 and eventually suffered a 2-1 defeat that cost Yorath his job, much to the disapproval of the Welsh public.
Logan was forced to leave Match of the Day during filming after hearing about her father’s death.
She was in position for the live Match of the Day broadcast at the start of the show and introduced highlights of Bournemouth’s win over Tottenham.
The 52-year-old presenter also teed up Manchester City’s game against Brighton but when coverage returned to the studio, Logan had been replaced by Mark Chapman.
Chapman told viewers: ‘We’ll talk about that game in just a moment, sadly Gabby has got a family emergency which she’s had to rush off and deal with.
‘So she’s gone to do that and I’ve come from the radio to finish the show.’
Stephen Warnock and Danny Murphy were the pundits alongside Logan before she was replaced by Chapman, who shares presenting duties with her alongside Kelly Cates since Gary Lineker’s retirement.
Logan paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late father after his death, writing: ‘Our dad a warrior on the football pitch, captaining club and country, a kind-hearted and generous man off it.’
She credited her father for instilling a ‘lifelong love for sport’ in her.
After an outpouring of tributes, she responded by saying: ‘We have been totally overwhelmed and inundated with messages of love, support and stories about things my dad has done through his career and how he impacted lives.’
Logan, 52, returned to the The Sports Agents podcast alongside Chapman earlier this month, and made her return on television for Amazon Prime’s Champions League coverage last Tuesday.
She anchored the streaming service’s coverage of Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Inter Milan, with Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Clarence Seedorf supporting as pundits.
Following the match, Logan admitted to having trepidation around hosting after being forced to leave Match of the Day earlier this month.
‘Got back in the saddle last night at San Siro,’ Logan said following the match.
‘I won’t pretend it was easy. The last time I was presenting a Football show I received a phone call that has rocked our world. So there were unfamiliar nerves and a bit of trepidation travelling to Milan.
‘But the football family are so lovely and it was, in the end, great to be back doing what I love so much and of course Arsenal gave us a great story to tell.
‘In the two weeks since Dad’s passing Football really has been a force for good in our lives.
‘The community is strong and really shows up when it needs to and we won’t ever forget that.’
Yorath’s death provoked an outpouring of loving tributes as well as a much-derided contribution from former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys, who reignited a longstanding feud with Logan with his tribute.
Keys wrote: ‘Sad to hear the news of Terry Yorath’s passing. He was a warrior & won fans over wherever he played. He was great for us at Coventry & the reason I got Gabby a job at Sky. I had no idea who she was when we met but I knew her dad. RIP Terry. Your daughter did you proud.’
TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods led the criticism of Keys, writing: ‘Sorry… but what a t**t. Said with zero surprise.’ She later added: ‘Also want to add my respects to the thousands of others who are showing theirs compassionately to a much beloved broadcaster and her family. Sending all my love x.’
Logan and her husband Kenny, 53, a former Scotland rugby player, live in Buckinghamshire and have two children, twins Reuben and Lois, 20.
Reuben has followed in his father’s footsteps and plays for Sale Sharks after joining from Northampton Saints.
Terry Yorath is remembered before kick off Leeds United vs Fulham on January 17
Terry Yorath (pictured in 1973) was born in Cardiff and won 59 caps for the Welsh national side
Terry Yorath, pictured in 2005, worked at a range of clubs after retiring, including Huddersfield
Gabby Logan started the coverage of Match of the Day before leaving abruptly mid-show
Gabby Logan with her husband Kenny and children Reuben and Lois in Chichester in July
Logan represented Great Britain in rhythmic gymnastics before moving into the television world.
She started presenting on Sky Sports in 1996 before moving to ITV and fronting their Champions League coverage.
Logan joined the BBC in 2006, hosting Final Score and athletics programming including multiple Olympic Games’ – also co-hosting Sports Personality of the Year.
She was named as one of the trio of presenters to replace Lineker after the veteran broadcaster called time on the role following 26 years in the chair.
