Courtney Meppen-Walter dead at 32: Ex-Man City star dies as heartbroken former club Bury pay tribute

FORMER Manchester City youth star Courtney Meppen-Walter has died, his old club Bury have announced.

Meppen-Walter passed away at the age of 32, a club statement confirmed.

The defender was a former youth star of Man City and an ex-England Under-18 captain.

Meppen-Walter also played for the likes of Carlisle, Stockport, Chorley and Telford United.

A statement from Bury on social media said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Courtney Meppen-Walter, at the age of 32.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone at #buryfc are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

He was released by Bury last summer.

No details have been released regarding the circumstances of his passing.

Another former club, Nantwich Town FC, paid a touching tribute of their own, with chairman Jon Gold saying: “Courtney was a larger than life character with the biggest heart and he quickly became loved by both the Dabbers faithful and his fellow players, who all looked up to his inspirational leadership.

“He left a lasting impression on everyone that was fortunate enough to meet him and whilst there were sadly some dark times in his life, something that he never shied away from, the Courtney we knew was full of positivity and inspiration and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all that knew him at such an incredibly sad time.”

Likewise, Guiseley AFC, who the centre-half played for between 2022 and 2024 and winning the 2022/23 Manager’s Player of the Season award, said: “We are shocked to hear of the passing of Courtney Meppen-Walter…

“Our thoughts are with Courtney’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Meppen-Walter was jailed for 16 months in 2013 after causing the death of a brother and sister by speeding in a traffic collision.

He had killed Kulwant Singh, 32, and Ravel Kaur, 37, in the 2012 incident.

Meppen-Walter appeared in court again in 2019 for a drink-driving offence after he was caught at the wheel at more than twice the legal limit.

A breathalyser test gave a positive reading of 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35mcg.

He avoided jail but was banned from driving for 22 months and was made to serve a 12-month community order, complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay court costs totalling £170.

The then-Chorley footballer issued a apology, saying he “deserved to get called every name under the sun”.

The court was told that father-of-one Meppen-Walter – who pleaded guilty – agreed with the evidence of the case but claimed he did not resist arrest as described.

A pre-sentence probation report noted his drink-driving reflected “poor judgment” when considering his previous conviction and that “again he has failed to consider the consequences of his actions”.

Caitriona McLaughlin, defending, said: “The most significant mitigation in this case is his genuine remorse which has been reflected throughout. He is truly sorry for his actions.

“It was a mistake and it is the one and only drink mistake on his record.”

The court heard that alcohol played no part in the killing of Mr Singh and Ms Kaur who had come to the UK from Afghanistan in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban.

Before passing sentence, chairwoman of the bench Margaret Hutchinson asked Meppen-Walter if he wanted to say anything about the current case.

He replied: “I know what you are probably thinking and what everyone else is thinking. I will probably get called every name under the sun and I deserve it. I’m just embarrassed.”