Former Wales player and manager Terry Yorath has passed away at the age of 75 following a short illness.

Yorath, born in Cardiff, started his professional career at Leeds United, where he made his debut at the age of 18 against Burnley on May 11^th, 1968.

He would go on to play 199 times for the Yorkshire club, scoring 11 goals and becoming the first Welshman to appear in a European Cup final when Leeds faced Bayern Munich in 1974.

In a nine-year spell at Leeds, Yorath won the First Division title with Leeds in 1974 and earned a runners-up medal in the FA Cup, European Cup and Cup Winners Cup.

Yorath made his Wales debut in 1969, playing 59 times for his country and captaining the team a remarkable 42 times.

He scored two international goals and led Cymru when they missed out on a place at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, a campaign remembered for the decisive and controversial 2-0 defeat to Scotland at Anfield.

He was captain when Scotland controversially beat Wales 2-0 with the first goal coming from the spot after Scotland striker Joe Jordan appeared to handle the ball in the Wales penalty box, but the decision went in the Scots’ favour.

Jordan, who had been a team-mate at Leeds, was also godfather to Yorath’s daughter Gabby.

A combative midfielder, Yorath moved on from Leeds to Coventry City in 1976, where he captained the side for all three seasons he played.

After short spells at Tottenham Hotspur, who signed him for £300,000, and Vancouver Whitecaps in the North American Soccer League, Yorath returned to the UK to Bradford City, where he joined as a player and assistant coach, beginning his managerial journey.

Yorath was at Bradford when the Valley Parade fire disaster took place, killing 56 fans and injuring 270. The Welshman was one of those injured by the blaze.

In 1986, he took the manager’s position at Swansea City, making a single and final league appearance, before leading the club to promotion from Division Four to Division Three in the 1987-88 season.

In 1988, he was appointed part-time manager of Wales, eventually taking up the post on a full-time basis whilst still managing Swansea. However, this caused conflict with the club, and Yorath left Swansea to manage Bradford. He was dismissed by Bradford after just one year in charge and returned to manage Swansea again.

It was not until 1991 that Yorath took charge of his country on a full-time basis, leading Wales to victories over reigning world champions Germany and Brazil in Cardiff.

With a formidable attacking line-up of Ian Rush, Mark Hughes, Dean Saunders and a teenage Ryan Giggs, Wales entered a competitive 1994 World Cup qualifying group with real hope of a first World Cup appearance in over thirty years.

Under Yorath, Wales attained what was then their highest ever FIFA ranking of 27th in August 1993 and came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 1994 tournament.

The qualifying campaign started with a potentially disastrous 5-1 defeat to Romania, but Yorath’s Wales turned things around, winning four of their next six matches.

Following a 2-0 home win against Cyprus at the Cardiff Arms Park, thanks to goals from Saunders and Rush, Wales needed a victory at home against Romania to qualify for the summer tournament.

Romania arrived in Cardiff with both teams knowing a victory would guarantee qualification for the finals. An intense atmosphere at the Arms Park welcomed the teams onto the field, but it was the visitors who took the lead through an early goal from the great Gheorghe Hagi.

However, Cymru levelled on the hour thanks to Saunders before Paul Bodin struck the bar from the penalty spot minutes later. The game was decided by Florin Răducioiu to make it 2-1, but the result was put in perspective when supporter John Hill lost his life shortly after the final whistle.

It would prove to be Yorath’s final match as Cymru manager and he would return to club football as he took charge of Cardiff City in 1994.

Throughout the World Cup qualifying campaign, Yorath carried the weight of personal tragedy on his shoulders following the sudden death of his teenage son Daniel in 1992.

His coaching career continued with spells with the Lebanon national team, Sheffield Wednesday and Margate in his final role that came to an end in 2009.

“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,” said Yorath’s children in a statement.

In 2004 Yorath published his autobiography, appropriately titled ‘Hard Man, Hard Knocks’, in reference to the struggles and tragic experiences he had endured in his life.

Yorath is survived by his children Gabby, who is a presenter on Match of the Day, Louise, and Jordan.

Leeds United said they were “devastated” to hear of Yorath’s passing, adding: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Terry’s family, friends and former team-mates at this incredibly sad time.”

Yorath managed Wales for 41 games and led them to 16 victories, including wins against Italy and Brazil.

“The thoughts of everyone connected to the association are with Terry’s family, friends and loved ones,” the Wales FA posted on X.

The FAW also noted in an obituary that Yorath “will be remembered fondly by those who had seen him play for club and country, while the qualifying campaigns that defined his time as Cymru captain and manager will always be remembered for what might have been.”

Yorath spent 44 games in charge of Margate FC and won the Isle of Thanet Gazette Cup in 2009-10.

“Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Terry at this difficult time,” Margate FC posted on the social media platform.

Former Bradford striker Dean Windass added: “Sad news, great man and a gentleman. Thoughts go to his family RIP.”

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