Macclesfield FC forward Ethan McLeod, age 21, has died in a car accident on the M1 motorway while returning from a National League North match. The club and former teams pay tribute to his life and potential.
Macclesfield FC and the wider football community are mourning the death of Ethan McLeod, a 21‑year‑old forward who tragically died in a car crash while returning home after a match. The collision occurred on the M1 motorway late on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as McLeod was travelling back from an away game against Bedford Town.
McLeod had come on as a substitute in the National League North contest, which Macclesfield won 2‑1. Shortly after the match, his white Mercedes collided with a roadside barrier on the M1 near Northampton, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, Macclesfield FC described McLeod as “an incredibly talented and well‑respected member of our first team squad” whose “infectious personality endeared him to everyone he came into contact with.” The club expressed deep sorrow, saying the news had “devastated” everyone connected with the organisation.
McLeod’s football journey began with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he joined the academy at age seven and spent more than a decade developing. After leaving Wolves in 2024, he had spells with Alvechurch, Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge before signing with Macclesfield in summer 2025.
Former club Wolves also paid tribute, announcing they would observe a minute’s silence before their upcoming Premier League fixture to honour McLeod’s memory, and extending support to his younger brother, Conor McLeod, who is part of Wolves’ Under‑21 squad.
Ethan McLeod had made several appearances for Macclesfield this season and had already shown promise with his performances and work ethic. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through English football, with clubs and fans offering condolences to his family, friends and teammates.
0 Comments