Courtney Meppen-Walter, the former Manchester City prospect and England youth international, has died at the age of 32. Bury confirmed the news, offering condolences to his family and friends, while no details of his death have been made public.
Meppen-Walter had once been regarded as one of the brighter defensive talents in City’s academy, and captained England at under-18 level. His career took a grave turn after a road collision in Manchester in 2012, when he was 18.
Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister Ravel Kaur, 37, died at the scene. Two other people, aged 15 and 16, suffered serious injuries. Singh and Kaur had moved to Britain from Afghanistan in 2001, having fled Taliban persecution in search of a new life.
Alcohol was not a factor in that crash. Meppen-Walter was later sentenced to 16 months in prison for causing the deaths through careless driving, and Manchester City released him in 2013. He served half of the sentence before leaving prison.
There was a further driving conviction in 2019, during his spell with Chorley. He received a 22-month ban after being stopped in central Manchester while driving over the alcohol limit. A test recorded 85 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, against the legal threshold of 35.
Addressing the court, Meppen-Walter said he understood what people would think of him and accepted the criticism. “They will probably call me every name under the sun, and I deserve it,” he said. “I am simply ashamed.”
He returned to football with Carlisle United after his release and spent two seasons with the Cumbrian club. His later non-league career took in Ashton United, Stockport County, Glossop North End, Chorley, AFC Telford United, Radcliffe, Guiseley, Nantwich Town, Bury and Stalybridge Celtic.
Bury ended his time at the club in the summer of 2025, following a loan spell at Stalybridge. Nantwich chairman Jon Gold paid tribute to a player he said had left a lasting impression on those around him, acknowledging the difficult periods of his life but describing the man known at the club as positive and inspiring.
The Football Association also remembered Meppen-Walter’s time in England’s youth sides, saying its thoughts were with his family and friends in a period of deep sadness.
