Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Richard Butcher.

SportTrades would like to join with the many people who have paid tribute to Richard Butcher.  Richard died at home yesterday morning at the age of 29, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

The following article is taken in full from our friends at Guardian Sport.

The Macclesfield Town midfielder Richard Butcher has died aged 29. The Northampton-born player died at his home in Manchester on Monday morning but the club have not disclosed the cause of death.


"It is with great sadness that we have to announce the untimely death earlier today of Richard Butcher," read a statement on Macclesfield's website. "Richard passed away at his home in Manchester overnight. Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very difficult time."

The Macclesfield chairman, Mike Rance, added: "We are all absolutely devastated by Richard's death. He was probably the best professional at the club and his conduct and professionalism were always exemplary. Richard was an intelligent, articulate and thoroughly likeable young man who will be very sadly missed by his team-mates, friends and family."

The Professional Footballers Association chief executive, Gordon Taylor, said: "It is a terrible shock. We've lost Adam Stansfield at Exeter and to lose Richard Butcher is just terrible and quite tragic and on behalf of all the members and staff at the PFA we wish to offer our most sincere condolences to his family at this terrible time and our prayers and thoughts are with them. We will be in contact with the family to see what help we can provide at this sad time."

The news comes 10 months after the Macclesfield manager, Keith Alexander, also passed away.

Butcher started his career as a trainee for Northampton Town but left before making a first-team appearance. A statement from the League Two club said: "Northampton Town are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former midfielder Richard Butcher at the age of just 29. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Richard's family and friends at this very sad time."

Butcher was signed by Alexander at Peterborough United in 2006 and the League One side were also quick to express their sadness.

A club statement said: "Butcher was well loved by everyone at London Road and our condolences go out to his friends and family at this difficult time."

Butcher married in August and was planning for the next phase of his life after football. "He had started a course at Manchester Met and was planning for the future with a view to what he might do after he finished playing," Rance said.