Logan had to leave Match of the Day mid-show on Wednesday
GABBY LOGAN has described her final moments with her late father Terry Yorath in an emotional tribute.
Former Leeds, Tottenham and Coventry star Yorath died aged 75 following a short illness, it was revealed yesterday.
Logan, 52, had been presenting Match of the Day on Wednesday night before having to leave due to a family emergency.
The BBC presenter has since posted a moving tribute to her late father on Instagram as she described her final moments with the man who raised her.
And Logan revealed how she had discussed with Terry what his first meal back home would have been while sitting by his bedside in St James Hospital in Leeds.
The presenter sadly told how her dad was due to leave hospital tomorrow in a heartbreaking blow.
The emotional post included sweet family pictures as well as a callback to Terry’s playing and managing days.
Logan wrote: “Thank you for your messages of love and support today, it has meant the world to us.
“Our Dad a warrior on the football pitch, captaining club and country, a kind hearted and generous man off it, would have hated all the attention. (Well most of it).
“The stories that have been shared by strangers with us today have been enormously comforting. He touched so many people’s lives.
“We knew he had limited time, but it is still a shock. Yesterday afternoon I sat by his bed in St James Hospital, Leeds, and we had a debate about whether roast potatoes were better with calves liver than mash potatoes.
“That was the meal he’d decided he wanted when he went home, tomorrow. I left and went to work, he was looking forward to watching Newcastle vs his beloved Leeds.
“He won’t go home tomorrow. But he is reunited with Daniel and that will feel like home.
“I am sorry he had to deal with so much pain, the tragedy of the Bradford Fire was forever in his heart and losing Daniel defined the second half of his life.”
The moving tribute continued: “Thank you Dad for instilling your passion for fairness. Thank you for playing rounders, or making us race each other after dinner, even though Louise always beat me.
“Thank you for not making me pay you $1,865,986 after I kept losing at cards on double or quits, when I was 8 years old.
“Thanks for teaching me the value of money by challenging me to eat a pot of mustard at dinner in return for £5 so I could buy a pair of shoes I wanted when I was 12 (even though mum was horrified).
“Thank you for giving me a life long love of sport. Thank you for being a relentless tease with a wicked sense of humour.
“And to the wonderful staff on J16 at Jimmys who cared for him with such tenderness, you are all Angels.
“I love you Dad.”
Siblings Gabby, Louise and Jordan confirmed their father’s death in a joint statement yesterday, which read: “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.”
Daniel Yorath was Terry’s oldest son, and tragically passed away aged just 15 in 1992 due to genetic heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Earlier on Thursday, Logan posted a picture of her father playing for Wales on Instagram and wrote: “Rest in Peace Dad.
“Our hearts are broken. Your love and legacy lives on.”
Logan then added Leeds and Bradford’s tributes to her Instagram story.
Welshman Yorath began his playing career with Leeds in 1967.
The midfielder represented the Whites with distinction for nine years, helping them to the first Division title in 1974 and to the European Cup final the following year.
Yorath subsequently represented Coventry, Tottenham, Vancouver Whitecaps, Bradford and Swansea before hanging up his boots in 1986.
He would then embark on a long managerial career, most notably taking charge of the Wales national team between 1988 and 1993.
Under his stewardship, the Red Dragons came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
Plenty of tributes have poured in for Yorath.
Leeds wrote on X: “Everyone at Leeds United is devastated to learn of the passing of club legend Terry Yorath.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Terry’s family, friends and former teammates at this incredibly sad time.
“Rest in peace, Terry.”
While Tottenham added: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Terry Yorath.
“The thoughts and love of everyone at the Club are with Terry’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“Rest in peace, Terry.”
Yorath’s former Spurs colleague Glenn Hoddle posted: “Another sad Day today losing my old team mate Terry Yorath Godbless and my love and prayers go out to all the family.”
