England have introduced legacy numbers which will be given to every player to have represented the Lionesses over the last half century.
All 227 players that have represented the European Champions at senior international level have been handed their own unique number. The FA decided to introduce the scheme as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of England ’s first official women's international, which came against Scotland on November 18, 1972.
The current England side will wear their respective numbers for the first time in their next game, which comes in the Arnold Clark Cup clash against South Korea in Milton Keynes on February 16, 2023.
All Lionesses, both past and present, are numbered in order of when they first played for the national team.
This means Sue Buckett, who was the goalkeeper in the Lionesses maiden game against Scotland, is awarded the number 1. England won the game 3-2 in Greenock, a game that was played a century on from the first men’s international between the same two teams.
Brighton's Katie Robinson, the latest England debutant who made her international bow off the bench earlier this week in the 1-1 draw with Norway, is handed the number 227.
The news at the end of the Lionesses most successful calendar year to date. In the last 12 months, Sarina Wiegman has led the team to the European Championship on home soil, an unbeaten calendar year and victory over the world's number one ranked team - the USA.
The initiative will celebrate every individual who has held the honour of representing the nation at the senior women's level with the scheme mirroring the England men’s team.
Kay Cossington, head of women’s technical at The FA, said: “Every former player has played their part in the team’s journey and the introduction of legacy numbers is a permanent reminder of their impact and the history of the England senior women’s team.
“All 227 players are valued members of the ‘England family’ and we hope they can reflect with pride on being part of a small group of women who have transformed football and made an everlasting impact on society.
“We want to thank each and every one who has worn the shirt since 1972 and epitomised what it means to be a Lioness. Their number will always remain unique to them and is a symbol of their legacy in growing the game.
“We remain indebted to many in the women’s football family who have helped collate this historic list and the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund. I would like to pay particular tribute to Professor Jean Williams and Patricia Gregory, who have worked tirelessly with FA colleagues over a number of years to bring this project to life.”
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