Terry Yorath – A defining figure in Cymru history, 1950 – 2026

Former Cymru player and manager Terry Yorath has sadly passed away at the age of 75 and will be remembered as a hugely popular and successful figure in the history of the national team.

It was Yorath who brought the best out of a talented generation of players that included Neville Southall, Ian Rush, Gary Speed, Mark Hughes, Dean Saunders and Ryan Giggs, but narrowly missed out on a place at the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals.

As a player, Yorath made 59 appearances for Cymru between 1969 and 1981, scoring twice from midfield. He was also part of the successful Leeds United side of the 1970’s that won the First Division title in 1974 and became the first Welshman to play in a European Cup Final a year later, losing 2-0 to Bayern Munich.

Yorath captained his country as Cymru 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.

As a midfielder, Yorath would also represent Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps and Bradford City before accepting the player-manager position at Swansea City in 1986 where he brought his playing career to an end. In 1988 he combined his role at the Vetch Field with that of managing Cymru.

It wasn’t until 1991 that Yorath took charge of Cymru on a full-time basis after a spell in charge of Bradford City and a second term at the Swans, and it was at this time that the national team made headlines with memorable victories over world champions Germany and Brazil in Cardiff.

With a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, Cymru inspired a nation during the qualifying campaign for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. However, Yorath carried the weight of personal tragedy on his shoulders following the sudden death of his teenage son Daniel in 1992.

Yorath was also part of the coaching staff at Bradford City in 1985 when 56 supporters lost their lives and 270 were injured in a fire at their Valley Parade ground. Searching for his family before knowing they were safe, he witnessed scenes that day that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

The World Cup campaign went down to the final match as 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. 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.

However, he 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.

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