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McLeod scored three goals in seven appearances for Macclesfield, including one on his debut against Atherton LR in an FA Cup second qualifying round tie in September.<\/p>\n
The Silkmen Supporters’ Trust (SST) said it was “devastated” at the loss of “one of our own”.<\/p>\n
“Ethan had broken into the first team of our club and started to make a real difference, scoring two goals in recent weeks,” fan and SST board member Jon Smart told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
“He was a nippy forward and the fans viewed him as an important member of the first-team squad, improving with every game and with an eye for goal, with a real potential to go back up higher in the football pyramid.<\/p>\n
“He regularly came over to the bar after games to mingle with supporters and one couldn’t help but notice his engaging smile and cheery and happy demeanour after games. <\/p>\n
“His passing will have a terrible impact on the players. Losing one of their own in such awful circumstances will be a terrible cross to bear.”<\/p>\n
Before the club reformed as Macclesfield FC, Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander<\/a> and midfielder Richard Butcher<\/a> died 10 months apart.<\/p>\n Smart added: “Like Alexander in 2010 and Butcher in 2011 – both lost in difficult and tragic circumstances – Ethan McLeod will be forever a Silkman.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n