Tributes have been paid following the death of a Macclesfield Town midfielder Richard Butcher.
The 29-year-old died at his home in Manchester last night, the club said. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
The League Two club said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the untimely death of Richard Butcher.
"Richard passed away at his home in Manchester overnight. He was an exemplary professional and a thoroughly likeable young man.
"Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this very difficult time."
Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance said: "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."
Butcher married in August and was already planning for the next phase of his life after football, Mr Rance said.
"He had started a course at Manchester Met (University) and was planning for the future with a view to what he might do after he finished playing," the chairman added.
Butcher's death comes 10 months after Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander died aged 53 and Mr Rance said: "This is another massive blow to the club but we are going to have to come to terms with it."
Butcher started his career as a trainee for his home town club Northampton but left before making a first-team appearance.
A statement from the npower League Two club said: "Northampton Town Football Club 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."
Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor expressed his anguish at the news and vowed to do anything he can to help Butcher's family.
"It is a terrible shock," Mr Taylor said. "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."
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