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Former Town Striker Dalian Atkinson Dies Monday, 15th Aug 2016 12:17
Former Town striker Dalian Atkinson has died aged 48 after being Tasered by the police in the early hours of this morning.
Officers are reported to have been called to a house in Meadow Close in Telford regarding concerns about the “safety of an individual”.
The former England B international was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital where his condition worsened and he suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead.
Atkinson's father Ernest, 85, told the Daily Mirror: "He was in a real state. I don't know if he was drunk or on drugs but he was very agitated and his mind was upset.
"The last thing he said to me was 'Don't move' when the police came to the door.
"He was threatening and very upset. I didn't call the police but someone else did.
"He got Tasered in the street outside in the road. I didn't see him but I saw a flash. I haven't had any sleep and cannot take it in. The police are dealing with this now."
Atkinson joined Town as a youth player having been scouted by legendary Blues talent spotter Ron Gray during the Bobby Ferguson regime.
The Shrewsbury-born frontman made his senior debut in March 1986 and went on to make 56 starts and 13 sub appearances scoring 21 goals before moving to Sheffield Wednesday for £450,000 in July 1989.
He is best remembered at Town for his hat-trick in the 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough at home in April 1988 (above, goals on six, 31, 37 and 58).
Atkinson also played and scored for Aston Villa at Portman Road on the Premier League’s first day in a 1-1 draw.
Terribly sad news about our former striker. Our thoughts are with Dalian's family and friends at this tragic time. https://t.co/AHNU6LZ1B0– Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) August 15, 2016
He also spent time with Real Sociedad, Fenerbahce, Metz (loan), Manchester City, in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, with Chinese side Daejeon Citizen and with South Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Current Town boss Mick McCarthy never faced Atkinson as a player but managed teams against him.
“I’ve just walked in and been asked the question, I’m not fully aware of the circumstances, they’ve only been briefly given to me," McCarthy said at this lunchtime's pre-match press conference.
“He was after me as a player, but certainly as a manager I remember him as a big, powerful centre forward.
“For him to be passing away at 48 is awfully sad, for anyone in the football community. It’s a big tent the football tent and if you’re inside of it looking out or you’re outside looking in.
“It’s just awfully sad when somebody’s at such a young age. My thoughts are with his family and his real friends.
“He was a good player and I think TC spoke to him recently. He became an agent and that’s how close it is with us all, we talk to each other, we see each other and it’s desperately sad for his family."
Photo: ITFC
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What awful news. Ron Gray brought so many great players to the club but Dalian was exceptional. He brought the crowd to its feet every time he set off on one of his powerful surging runs with the ball. How we could do with him now! My condolences go out to his family.
To say shocked and gutted would be an understatement, but I guess in life lots happens no matter who you are. As a mark of respect time to change my user name.
Just curious however - how does someone die from being tasered? Guessing he must have had an underlying heart problem or similar in addition to whatever he might have taken?
That is tragic news. He remains the player I was the most upset about us selling, and for a pittance as well... There was a real air of excitement and anticipation you could feel every time he got the ball.
Shocked and saddened to learn of this. He was at Town when I first started watching them as a boy. Whatever the circumstances that lead to his death, this is terribly sad news.
I was at that Boro game, I was only 12 at the time, that hat trick will always be remembered by fans who were their, he knew how to entertain the fans and that is something this current squad can only dream of, RIP Dalian