Macclesfield midfielder dies

Macclesfield's Richard Butcher has died, aged 29.

The club have not disclosed the cause but the Northampton-born midfielder died at his home in Manchester on Monday night.

The news comes just 10 months after manager Keith Alexander passed away.

The League Two outfit posted a brief statement on their club website which read: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the untimely death earlier of Richard Butcher.

"Richard passed away at his home in Manchester. He was an exemplary professional and a thoroughly likeable young man.

"Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very difficult time."

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," Taylor said.

"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."