We are shocked to hear of the passing of our former defender Courtney Meppen-Walter at the tragically young age of 32.

Our thoughts are with Courtney’s family, friends and former teammates at this sad time.

The talented defender came through the Academy at Manchester City where his contemporaries included Raheem Sterling and Micah Richards ‘looked out for him’. He also remembers the first team squad including ‘a very nice’ James Milner who he described as ‘the ultimate professional’.

Whilst at Manchester City Meppen-Walter played for the Under-21s. He also represented England at Under- 17 and Under-18 levels, captaining the latter.

In 2013 he joined Carlisle United and played for them in Divisions One and Two making 42 appearances.

On leaving Brunton Park in 2016 he signed for Ashton United and then Chorley, where he made 38 appearances.

Meppen-Walters then moved on to Stockport County, where he notched up 27 appearances, and the following season played 50 games for Glossop North End in which time he netted 12 goals.

He returned to Chorley in 2018 playing 76 games and scoring six goals for them before joining AFC Telford United in 2020.

His stay lasted just seven games before he moved back north to sign for Radcliffe.

Courtney joined Guiseley on Boxing Day 2022 on loan from Radcliffe for an initial one month deal which was the extended until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

At the end of the season Courtney was named the Manager’s Player of the Season by Paul Phillips, the man who brought the centre back to the club after he made 22 appearances.

He went on to play for the club a further six times in the 2023/24 campaign before joining Nantwich Town for an undisclosed fee after an initial loan.

Since leaving Nethermoor he went on to play for Bury and Stalybridge Celtic.

We send our thoughts to his family and friends.