Macclesfield forward Ethan McLeod has tragically died in a car accident on the M1 motorway at the age of 21, the National League North club have confirmed.
The Birmingham-born player was returning from his team's away fixture at Bedford Town on Tuesday evening when his white Mercedes collided with a barrier near Northampton at around 22:40 GMT. McLeod had been an unused substitute in the match.
In a statement, Macclesfield described McLeod as "incredibly talented" and a "well-respected member" of their squad: "News of Ethan's passing has devastated our entire club and no words can convey the immense sense of sadness and loss that we feel now."
A promising career cut short
McLeod's footballing journey began at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he joined the academy at just seven years old. He progressed through the ranks to represent the club's under-21 side in the EFL Trophy, though a first-team breakthrough never materialised.
After leaving Molineux, McLeod gained experience in non-league football with loan spells at Alvechurch in the Southern League, followed by short stints with Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge. Known for his pace and direct running, he arrived at Macclesfield in July following a successful trial.
The young forward made five appearances for the Silkmen, scoring twice. His most recent goal came in a 1-1 draw with Kings Lynn Town on 10 December, while his last outing was in Saturday's FA Trophy fixture against South Shields.
Tributes pour in
Macclesfield paid tribute to McLeod's character, describing his "lust for life" and "unwavering work ethic" as an inspiration to those around him. The club added: "The deep mental scars elicited from Ethan's passing will undeniably never heal – but one thing is for sure, and that is Ethan's vibrant legacy will never fade, no matter how much time passes in the future."
Wolves, where McLeod's younger brother Conor (20) currently plays for the under-21 team, expressed their devastation at the loss of their former academy player. The Premier League club confirmed they will provide care and support to Conor and his family during this difficult time.
A minute's silence will be held before Wolves' home fixture against Brentford on Saturday in honour of the late forward.
VZN FC, the team McLeod represented in season one of the Baller League, also paid their respects: "We are devastated. We send our love and condolences to his family, friends and team-mates at this heartbreaking time."
Macclesfield's next league fixture is scheduled for Saturday at Alfreton Town, though the club has not yet confirmed whether the game will go ahead.
