Former England and Manchester City talent Courtney Meppen-Walter dies suddenly at 32, cause still unknown

Former Manchester City academy footballer and former England U-18 captain Courtney Meppen-Walter has died at the age of 32. The news was confirmed by his former club, Bury FC, through a statement on social media. “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our former player Courtney Meppen-Walter, at the age of 32. The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time,” the club’s statement said.

Meppen-Walter was a defender and was considered one of Manchester City’s youth talents. He also wore the captain’s armband of England U-18. During his career, he played for several English clubs, among them Carlisle United, Stockport County, Chorley, Telford United, Nantwich Town and Guiseley. With Guiseley, where he played from 2022 to 2024, he also won the “Manager’s Player of the Season” award for the 2022/23 season.

The other clubs where he played have also expressed their grief at his passing. The chairman of Nantwich Town, Jon Gold, described Meppen-Walter as a person of strong character and a “big heart,” stressing that he had left an important mark on his teammates and the fans. Meanwhile, Guiseley AFC declared that it was “shocked” by the news and expressed condolences to the family and friends of the former defender.

So far, no details have been made public about the causes or circumstances of Courtney Meppen-Walter’s death.

His name had been mentioned earlier also in crime reporting in England. In 2013, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being found guilty of causing the death of two people, Kulwant Singh and Ravel Kaur, in a road accident in 2012. In 2019, the former footballer appeared before the court again for drink-driving. He was banned from driving for 22 months and sentenced to a 12-month community order, as well as 80 hours of unpaid work.