McLeod scored three goals in seven appearances for Macclesfield, including one on his debut against Atherton LR in an FA Cup second qualifying round tie in September.
The Silkmen Supporters’ Trust (SST) said it was “devastated” at the loss of “one of our own”.
“Ethan had broken into the first team of our club and started to make a real difference, scoring two goals in recent weeks,” fan and SST board member Jon Smart told BBC Sport.
“He was a nippy forward and the fans viewed him as an important member of the first-team squad, improving with every game and with an eye for goal, with a real potential to go back up higher in the football pyramid.
“He regularly came over to the bar after games to mingle with supporters and one couldn’t help but notice his engaging smile and cheery and happy demeanour after games.
“His passing will have a terrible impact on the players. Losing one of their own in such awful circumstances will be a terrible cross to bear.”
Before the club reformed as Macclesfield FC, Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander and midfielder Richard Butcher died 10 months apart.
Smart added: “Like Alexander in 2010 and Butcher in 2011 – both lost in difficult and tragic circumstances – Ethan McLeod will be forever a Silkman.”
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