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Lynda Hale, who played and scored in the first-ever official England women's fixture, has passed away, England Football has confirmed.
The team said Hale, who was born in 1954, had made ten appearances for England across her international career, scoring three goals.
At club level, she represented her hometown team, Southampton, with whom she won the Women's FA Cup a remarkable seven times.
FA Chair Debbie Hewitt MBE said Hale would "always be remembered for the part she played in our football history".
In a BBC TV report from the 70s Hale, who was an accounting machine operator playing for Southampton, said: "It's the same as any other sport - it's a hobby that you've got to be really keen to do."
Team England said that at just 18, she had started "the historic game" against Scotland at Ravenscraig Park in November 1972.
She then went on to make the scoresheet in a 3-2 victory for the Lionesses in Greenock.
"Alongside a number of her soon-to-be England teammates, she featured in the first-ever Women's FA Cup Final in 1971, as Southampton were crowned the competition's inaugural winners, beating Stewarton Thistle 4-1," the club's tribute reads.
In November 2022, she was recognised as the seventh player to represent the Lionesses when the FA allocated legacy numbers.
Her final game was against Switzerland, a 9-1 home victory in Hull.
Hewitt said she was "so deeply saddened to learn of Lynda Hale's passing".
"Whenever we talk about the success of our Lionesses in recent years, it is always with rightful recognition of those special players who paved the way," she said.
"Our first ever number No.7 and a goalscorer in the first official match for England women, Lynda will always be remembered for the part she played in our football history.
"On behalf of everyone at The FA and all connected to the Lionesses, our thoughts are with her family and friends."
The England team said it would wear black armbands in Hale's honour at Tuesday evening's FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Antalya, Türkiye.
The FA will also work with her family to pay tribute to her historic contribution to women's football at a forthcoming Lionesses' home game.
"Lynda will forever be remembered and celebrated as a trailblazer," the club said.
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