Date: 1st September 2016 at 11:15am
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On Wednesday, the women’s football world woke up to the news that 18-year-old England youth international Zoe Tynan had died.

Tynan had recently signed for Fylde Ladies to play in the Women’s Premier League for the 2016-17 season.

She had joined Manchester City Women in the summer of 2015 following six years with the Everton centre of excellence.

One fan described her to Shoot as, “[A] bright young talent who had a very big future ahead of her”.

Death is inevitable, yet when it comes to one as young as Tynan and in such a sudden way, it is even more inevitably shocking. In a community as close-knit as the one found in women’s football, the distress and empathy has been palpable.

The FA confirmed the news, which had been circulating for some hours, in the middle of Wednesday afternoon.

Mo Marley, coach of the England Under-19s, with whom Tynan had trained earlier in the month, said in an FA statement, “This is truly awful news and we were all so sad to hear of Zoe’s passing.

“Zoe has been involved in our squads for a number of years and was not only a very talented midfielder, but a hugely-liked and popular member of the team.

“I know that she will be much missed by her team-mates and staff members alike and I would like to send our deepest condolences to Zoe’s family from everyone involved at England.”

In a later statement issued by the British Transport Police, Tynan’s family paid tribute to “the most loving and caring daughter and sister anyone could wish for”, adding that she was “a vibrant, generous and fun-loving girl… never happier than when she had a ball at her feet”.

Shoot understands that in the next few weeks there is likely to be a public request for charitable donations in memory of a talented footballer, a loyal friend, a loving and much-loved family member.

We share in the grief of Tynan’s loved ones and fans, and send them all our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies at such a difficult time.

*Carrie Dunn is SHOOT’s Women’s Football correspondent. Her book ‘The Roar of the Lionesses: Women’s Football in England’ is out now – available in all good bookshops.*

 
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