Statement following the death of Leeds United great Terry Yorath

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“The thoughts of everyone at the council are today with the family and friends of Leeds United great Terry Yorath.

“As a Leeds supporter, I was deeply saddened to hear the news that Terry had passed away.

“Born in Wales, he was very much an adopted Loiner thanks to his exploits with Don Revie’s legendary United side of the 1960s and 1970s.

“The array of talent available to Revie meant that Terry had to wait for his chance to shine in the first team, but his patience and dedication was rewarded with a league title medal in 1974.

"He was also a key part of the Leeds side that reached the European Cup final the following year.

“I was delighted that we, as a council, were able to honour the achievements of Terry and his fellow Revie boys by collectively awarding them the freedom of Leeds in 2019.

“It says a lot for him, both as a footballer and a man, that he was held in high regard by fans of so many other clubs – not least Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur, for whom he played after leaving Leeds.

“He is also much loved at Bradford City, where he was assistant manager at the time of the Valley Parade fire, and in Wales, where he served the national side with distinction as a player and a manager.

“Away from football, Terry suffered the tragic loss of his teenage son, Daniel, in 1992 from an undetected heart condition.

“Paying tribute to their father today, his three other children described him as a ‘revered footballing hero’ and a ‘quiet, kind and gentle man’.

“They are sentiments that I’m sure will be echoed by Leeds fans and indeed all members of the wider football family as they remember Terry.”