Leeds legend Peter Lorimer receiving treatment in hospice for long-term illness
By Tom Gott
Leeds United have confirmed that Peter Lorimer, the club's all-time top goalscorer, is receiving treatment for a long-term health condition in a hospice.
There was a wave of speculation on social media on Thursday suggesting 74-year-old Lorimer, who scored 238 goals for the club in two separate spells from 1962-79 and 1983-85, had been rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, and Leeds released a statement on Friday to offer an update to supporters.
#LUFC can confirm that Peter Lorimer is currently in a hospice battling a long term illness. Peter, Sue and their family would like to thank #LUFC fans for their wonderful messages of support
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 26, 2021
"Sadly we can confirm that Peter Lorimer is currently in a hospice battling a long term illness," a statement on the club's official website read.
"Peter, his wife Sue and their family would like some privacy at this time, but also want to thank the Leeds United fans across the world for their wonderful messages of support. The club will update fans on Peter’s progress in due course."
A core part of Don Revie's famous Leeds side of the 60s and 70s, Lorimer earned himself the nickname 'Hotshot Lorimer' for his ferociously powerful strike which led him to the top of the club's scoring charts.
Lorimer's 238 goals has him well ahead of second-placed John Charles, who only managed 157 of his own shortly before Lorimer's arrival to the squad.
Under Revie, Lorimer won no fewer than seven trophies with Leeds. His first taste of silverware came as he lifted the League Cup in 1968, shortly before Revie's side went all the way in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup later that year.
He went on to win two First Division titles in 1968/69 and 1973/74, either side of lifting the FA Cup, Charity Shield and another Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
? A game that needed VAR! #OnThisDay in 1975, Peter Lorimer scored in the European Cup Final with a superb volley. It was ruled offside ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/dtlGjQd6fz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 28, 2020
Lorimer also made it all the way to the final of the 1975 European Cup, in which he saw a trademark volley controversially ruled out for offside. The referee actually gave the goal, only for Bayern Munich defender Franz Beckenbauer to talk him into ruling it out.
Once his playing days were over, Lorimer was handed a spot on the board of directors at Leeds, and he became the club's first ambassador in 2013.