Courtney Meppen-Walter dies aged 32

Courtney Meppen-Walter, a former Manchester City youth player and England Under-18 captain, has died at the age of 32. Bury, the club he left last summer, announced his death on social media.

«The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time, We send our sincere condolences and warmest best wishes to Courtney’s family, friends, and those with whom he shared a dressing room, and hope the goodwill shown to you by the football community can be a comfort at this difficult time».

No cause of death has been released. Meppen-Walter was released by Bury in the summer of 2025 following a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic.

He was jailed in 2013, at 19, for causing the deaths of two people by careless driving. The driver, Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister Ravel Kaur, 37, were both killed at the scene. Both had come to the UK in 2001 after fleeing Afghanistan; Kaur's two teenage sons, also in the car, were orphaned by the crash. Manchester City released him from the club that year.

In 2019, while at Chorley, he was banned from driving for 22 months after being caught more than twice over the legal alcohol limit at the wheel in Manchester city centre. He spoke to reporters outside Manchester Magistrates' Court after the hearing.

His career after prison took him through non-League football: Carlisle United, Ashton United, Stockport County, Glossop North End, Chorley, AFC Telford United, Radcliffe, Guiseley, Nantwich Town, Bury and Stalybridge Celtic.

AFC Telford United, one of his former clubs, also paid tribute, calling him "tragically young" and sending condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.