Dalian Atkinson, who died earlier today aged 48, was unplayable on his day, according to his former Town team-mate and close friend Jason Dozzell.

“I’m very shocked, I got a call from Kieron Dyer this morning and he told me,” Dozzell told TWTD. “It’s just unbelievable news, unbelievable.

“I’m shocked, I can't believe it, the circumstances of it all will come out in the next couple of days, I’m sure. I heard he was quite ill before this but whether that’s got anything to do with it, I’m not too sure.”

Atkinson had been undergoing kidney dialysis and is understood to have had a weak heart. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating his death, including the use of force with officers reported to have Tasered him four or five times.

Dozzell says the pair first got to know one another as youth players at Portman Road: “We grew up together at the club. We’re the same age. He must have been 14 when I first came across him. Ron Gray spotted him.

"When we were at school he used to come down from Telford in the holidays which is how we got to know one another really and then just went right through until he left Ipswich.”

Dozzell says he can’t recall anyone who could hit the ball more powerfully: “On his day, he was unplayable. Power, so quick, he had the hardest shot I’ve ever come across, which you’ll see if you watch his hat-trick against Middlesbrough. There were a couple of goals there where the ball was still rising [when it hit the net] and he’s hit it from 30 yards.

“Tony Mowbray and Gary Pallister were the centre-halves. That’s what he could do on the day, if he was up for it.

Dalian's three goals against Boro on six, 31 and 58

“He was just a larger than life character, he was just brilliant in the dressing room. He was always smiling, always messing about really, the soul of the dressing room. One funny guy.”

He added: “I used to see him after he left Town but not recently. I’ve spoken to him on the phone but I think the last time I saw him would have been a couple of years ago at the ex-players’ do. He was doing some work for an agent.

“I sent him a text when I heard he was ill but I hadn’t really heard from or seen him for a while. It’s just a sad day.”

Photo: ITFC

strikalite added 16:40 - Aug 15 Powerful and direct made him such a handful to play against...he's actually exactly who we could do with now...quality centre forward for us.. RIP big man..
8

Burnzee1991 added 16:57 - Aug 15 Absolutely tragic, RIP
6

rfretwell added 17:07 - Aug 15 Well our scouts need to start finding these big powerful young forwards at an early stage. None of our young forwards in recent years have like that and end up playing in the lower divisions/leagues.
5

Blue041273 added 17:15 - Aug 15 Clearly sad. Thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends obviously, but also with his former teammates. Having lost a couple of football friends in the last year I know how hard it is to to lose a football brother.
4

stevieiriswattii added 17:56 - Aug 15 Desperately sad news. Watch the video, as that is what I remember about him. Picking the ball up outside the area and blasting it in.
3

Dissboyitfc added 18:56 - Aug 15 Shocking and sad news R.I.P Dalian
2

burnhamboy added 19:12 - Aug 15 As a school child we went to interview Sergei for a media studies project and got the chance to watch the first team train, I remember standing behind Ron Fearons goal while Dalian took shots at him from distance and the power and accuracy amazed me, haven't to this day seen a shot hit harder. I was also at the home game against middlesborough when he destroyed them on his own. Truly great player on his day and one of only a handful of players who have played for Ipswich over the last 30years who would have got anywhere the 1981 team, he was that good. Thanks Dalian for the memories

3

Knightsy added 19:12 - Aug 15 The Best Hat Trick I saw at Portman Road against Middlesboro....he was just awesome that day. R.I.P Dalian....I'll never forget that day.
4

ianmarshall10 added 19:48 - Aug 15 R.I.P Dalian....Remember he looked a good stricker at Villa and from what I've read had a decent spell at Town why did he leave tho?
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Bobby_Petta added 19:56 - Aug 15 R.I.P. Dalian, I remember this game I was 11, What a hat trick. He was a very special player.
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GermanTractorBoy added 20:17 - Aug 15 Shocking news, I was fortunate enough to watch him play visiting Portman Road in 1987 or 1988 from Germany, very promising player then, unfortunately left relatively soon for Sheffield Wednesday. Will always be remembered by me. R.I.P. Dalian :-(
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Johnhoz added 20:22 - Aug 15 I remember him scoring both in a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury in 1989. He was great to watch. Some nice tributes here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37084786
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Kikapu added 08:56 - Aug 16 Thanks, Johnhoz, for the link to the BBC tribute. What a loss. Such a shame.
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chorltonskylineblue added 14:16 - Aug 16 Tragic news. I was gutted when we let him go. I still have the ITFC shirt from that period. But tight on me now mind ;-) An Ipswich legend. He only played around 60 games for us, but what an imapct he made!
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