Football agent Mel Stein has died after a short illness at the age of 77, the National League has announced.
Mel has been described as an "extraordinary professional" who will "leave a lasting legacy" in a poignant tribute.
He represented a number of global stars including Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer and many others.
A statement by the National League said: "It is with great sadness that The National League can announce the passing of Mel Stein after a short illness.
"Mel was an extraordinary professional and served as the League’s Legal Advisor for many years - he will leave a lasting legacy to the footballing world.
"As well as being instrumental in the League's commercial activity, he was also attributed as being one of the first specialist sports lawyers.
"Mel represented a number of global stars including Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer and many others.
"Mel also co-founded and chaired the Association of Football Agents.
"At this difficult time The National League would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to Mel’s family and friends."
Mel, the son of a barber, was born in North London in 1945 and raised on a council estate.
He attended the Central Foundation Grammar School and King's College London and was one of the first solicitors to be regarded as a specialist sports lawyer.
He also established the post graduate certificate in Sports Law at King's College in 1995.
Mel once said "I think it's important that football agents coming into the game now have an academic background because you need smarts to make it in this game."
He spoke about the advice he would give young people calling him - that everything you want needs to be earned.
Mel said he himself worked hard to get to where he is.
Mel once joked about enraging Sir Alex Ferguson when his client Paul Gascoigne chose to sign for Tottenham Hotspur instead of Manchester United in 1988.
He joked to the Jewish Telegraph: "He absolutely blames me for Gazza not signing for United.
"I was informed by someone trustworthy that he later said that if he saw me walking on the street, he would hit the accelerator rather than the brake."
Mel grew up as a Newcastle United fan and turned his back on Arsenal, the 'family team'.
He is the author of 18 books including How to be a Sports Agent and a biography of Gascoigne.
