Former Leeds United midfielder Terry Yorath turns 70 today and everyone would like to wish him a very happy birthday.
Born in Wales, Yorath went on to turn professional with Leeds in 1967 and went on to spend nine years at the club, making his debut against Burnley at Turf Moor on May 11th 1968.
He scored his first goal for the club against Newcastle United on September 1st 1971, in a 5-1 home league victory over Newcastle United, which took place at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hilsborough Stadium.
Yorath helped Leeds reach the 1973 European Cup Winners’ Cup final and played in the showpiece event at Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Greece, where the Whites were controversially defeated 1-0 against AC Milan. Referee Christos Michas was later banned from refereeing for life following an investigation.
In the following 1973/74 season, Yorath featured 28 times for Don Revie’s side scoring two goals as the Whites were crowned First Division champions for the second time in the club’s history. In the campaign the club also set a new Football League record at the time by going 29 games undefeated from the start of the campaign.
The next season saw Yorath help Leeds reach the European Cup final for the first time. He played a key role featuring in all eight matches en route to Paris, helping Leeds overcome FC Zurich, Ujpesti Dozsa, R.S.C. Anderlecht and FC Barcelona, scoring one goal. He then lined up at the Parc des Princes, but once more Leeds again lost out in controversial circumstances, this time to FC Bayern Munich.
After helping Leeds to finish fifth in the 1975/76 campaign, Yorath was sold to Coventry City, who he joined in August 1976, leaving Leeds having made 199 appearances, scoring 11 goals.
He went on to have spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Vancouver Whitecaps, Bradford City and Swansea City, earning 59 caps for Wales.
Later, Yorath also had stints in charge of Swansea, Wales, Bradford City, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Today, Terry regularly attends Leeds United matches both at home and away and is part of the legends team within the hospitality offering at Elland Road.
Once again, many happy returns Terry.
