Academy boss pays tribute to former Wolves starlet, 21, after fatal motorway crash - minute's silence is planned at Molineux

Ethan Mcleod first joined Wolves at the age of seven, entering at the pre-academy stage, and progressed through the system to sign a professional contract with the club in January 2023.

He was released in September 2024, going on to play in the non league for the likes of Stourbridge and Rushall Olympic before joining Macclesfield Town in the National League North.

He was coming back from a league game at Bedford last night when his car collided with a barrier on the M1 near Northampton.

His brother Conor is still on Wolves' books and Mr Hunter-Barrett said:  “We’re absolutely devastated as a club and academy with the news of Ethan’s passing. 

"He was in our academy programme for a long time, and his brother Conor is on our books now, so we’re incredibly sad for him and his family.

“We’re respecting his family’s privacy at this moment in time, but we’ll support them in any way possible moving forward. We’ll be there for them and Conor, because they’re a massive part of our club.  

“Nobody will have a bad word to say about Ethan. He had a warm heart and was incredibly caring and considerate. He was a talented young man, who got on well socially with everyone in the academy, staff and players, because he was such a loving character.

“Ethan was a talented footballer. He had injuries towards the end of his time here, but as a young player he developed early and progressed to representing England at youth level and played up the age groups at Wolves.

“Our thoughts go out to Conor, Ethan’s family and friends, and everyone at Macclesfield FC, because they’ll be devastated with the tragic news too.”

Stourbridge's players wore black armbands in their game with Harborough Town on Wednesday and a minute's silence was held. Wolves are planning a minute's silence before the home game with Brentford on Saturday