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Leeds United legend Peter Lorimer dies aged 74

Lorimer battled long-term illness like a true warrior.

Leeds United F.C. Squad of 1969
Lorimer pictured on the old Leeds training ground outside Elland Road in 1969.
Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Leeds United’s top ever goalscorer, Peter Lorimer has passed away at the age of 74 after the Scotsman battled a long-term brain illness for many months.

Lorimer made 705 appearances for The Whites, scoring 238 goals in all competitions having made his debut at the age of just 15 years and 289 days, Leeds’ youngest ever player.

His first spell in Leeds began in 1962 before he departed a club legend with 219 goals to his name. He travelled abroad to Canada, playing for Toronto Blizzard and Vancouver Whitecaps before returning to Yorkshire for York City and a return to Leeds as he scored another 19 goals to boost his tally in a white jersey. Lorimer also played for Scotland 21 times, scoring four goals in the process.

Following retirement, Lorimer was an ambassador for the club and wrote a regular column in the Leeds United matchday programme with his final piece published in the Leeds vs Aston Villa programme.

At the end of the club’s eulogy on leedsunited.com, the club added:

“Peter’s contribution to Leeds United will never be forgotten and his passing leaves another huge hole in the Leeds United family.

He will always remain a club icon and his legacy at Elland Road will live on.

Our thoughts are naturally with Peter’s wife Sue and the rest of his family at this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Peter.”

Today we lost a family man and a serial goalscorer. A legend. Rest in peace Peter Lorimer.