Former English World Cup final referee Jack Taylor OBE has passed away at the age of 82 at his home in Shropshire.
The Football League have confirmed the passing of the Wolverhampton-born ex-official, who made history when he gave the first-ever penalty in a World Cup final between West Germany and the Netherlands in 1974.
Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: "Jack Taylor set the benchmark for refereeing, not just in this country but across the world and in later life he applied the same levels of integrity, commitment and sheer love of the game to his other roles in football.
"Very few people in football can match the contribution made by Taylor and fewer still have managed to do it whilst retaining the respect and admiration of absolutely everyone they have come into contact with."
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore added: "I am extremely sad to hear of Jack Taylor's passing and send my sympathies to his wife, other family members and friends.
"Jack was one of English football's finest ambassadors who reached the pinnacle of refereeing and, until his very last days, continued to help the development of young referees.
"From our first meeting he remained a constant source of encouragement and I will miss him. The game has lost a great servant and a true friend."
Taylor refereed over 1,000 matches in English football as well as more than 100 international fixtures, which spanned over a 30-year career.
Danielle Joynson
