Macclesfield Town midfielder Richard Butcher has passed away at the age of 29.
Midfielder passes away at Manchester home
Macclesfield Town midfielder Richard Butcher has passed away at the age of 29.
Butcher, who played for a number of clubs including Northampton, Lincoln and Peterborough over a career spanning 11 years, died at his home in Manchester overnight, the club confirmed on Monday.
Macclesfield have not disclosed the cause but expressed their condolences to the player's family in a brief statement on their
official website.
The statement read: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the untimely death earlier today of Richard Butcher.
"Richard passed away at his home in Manchester overnight.
"He was an exemplary professional and a thoroughly likeable young man.
"Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very difficult time."
Tragedy
The League Two club also suffered tragedy in March 2010 when manager Keith Alexander died.
Professional Footballers Association chief executive Gordon Taylor expressed his anguish at the news and vowed to do anything he can to help Butcher's family.
"It is a terrible shock," said Taylor.
"We've lost Adam Stansfield at Exeter and to lose Richard Butcher is just terrible and quite tragic and on behalf of all the members and staff at the PFA we wish to offer our most sincere condolences to his family at this terrible time and our prayers and thoughts are with them.
"We will be in contact with the family to see what help we can provide at this sad time."
