Macclesfield forward McLeod dies in car accident

Macclesfield forward Ethan McLeod has died in a car accident on the M1 motorway while travelling back from a game on Tuesday.

McLeod, 21, was returning from his team's National League North match at Bedford Town in which he had been a substitute.

The accident occurred at around 22:40 GMT near Northampton when his white Mercedes collided with a barrier.

Macclesfield described McLeod as "incredibly talented" and "well-respected member" of their squad.

In a statement, the club said:, external "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."

As a youngster, McLeod spent 10 years at Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy.

He played for the club's under-21s in the EFL Trophy but never made an appearance for the first team.

The Birmingham-born player had a loan spell with Alvechurch in the Southern League, before he had short periods with Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge after leaving Molineux.

He arrived at Macclesfield in the summer, where he successfully came through a trial.

McLeod played five times for the Silkmen, most recently on 10 December, where he scored his second goal for them in a 1-1 draw with Kings Lynn Town.