Peter Lorimer
Footballer
BORN DECEMBER 14, 1946 – DIED MARCH 20, 2021, AGED 74
PETER Lorimer was a Leeds United legend, holding the club’s all-time scoring record of 238 goals in 705 appearances.
The Scotland winger was famous for his thunderous long-range shooting ability. One of his penalties was recorded at 107mph.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s Lorimer became a pivotal member of a formidable Leeds team on their relentless hunt for major trophies.
Under manager Don Revie he won two Division One titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.
He won 21 caps for Scotland and played in all three of their games at the 1974 World Cup, opening the scoring against Zaire in a 2-0 victory.
He was born in Dundee to Peter, a fisherman, and Janet, a nurse.
Raised in the city’s Broughty Ferry suburb with his brother, he showed early footballing ability, playing
for Stobswell Secondary School and attracting the attention of scouts.
He was Leeds’ youngest player, aged 15 years and 289 days when he made his debut against Southampton in September 1962.
Later in his career Lorimer had a goal disallowed in the 1975 European Cup final against Bayern Munich, who went on to lift the trophy in a controversial victory.
Lorimer left Leeds in 1979 for Toronto Blizzard, followed by stints at York City and Vancouver Whitecaps. He returned after Leeds were relegated to Division Two, becoming their captain.
In retirement, he was a football writer and pundit.
He died in a hospice following a long illness. He is survived by his second wife, Susan, and his two sons, Simon and Jamie, from his first marriage.