Yorath’s children, Gabby, Louise and Jordan, said in a statement: “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.”
In a separate statement shared by Gabby on Instagram, she said: “Rest in peace dad. Our hearts are broken. Your love and legacy lives on.”
Daniel is Yorath’s eldest son and fourth child, who died in 1992 just before his 16th birthday after collapsing while playing football with his father in the family’s back garden. A post-mortem examination found he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood by thickening the muscle.
His eldest son died weeks after he signed for Leeds United. That is the same club for which Yorath played 198 times and won the First Division title in 1974.
Leeds said in a statement on Thursday morning: “Everyone at Leeds United will remember Terry fondly on and off the pitch, and we are devastated by his passing. He will always be a club legend, and we offer our sincerest condolences to his friends and family.”
Yorath also played 59 times for Wales, captaining his country 42 times, before also managing them across six years. The Football Association of Wales have also paid tribute to him.
They said: “Terry Yorath will be remembered in Wales for his contribution to the game. The thoughts of everyone at the Football Association of Wales are with Terry’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”