Dalian Atkinson’s family has paid tribute to the former Town striker ahead of his funeral on Saturday morning. The 48-year-old died in August after being shot with a police Taser.
In a joint statement issued through lawyers, Atkinson’s siblings said: "From his earliest years, our beloved little brother had his heart set on becoming a professional football player.
"He pursued his ambition with determination, and before he had left school, his abilities had been recognised by a talent scout [Ron Gray] working on behalf of Ipswich Town.
"Dalian grew to be a kind, caring and protective brother, with a lively personality: he was funny and cheeky. He always brought life and energy to family gatherings - when Dalian turned up, we knew there would be laughter and banter.
"While he lived his dream and enjoyed the Premier League lifestyle, he remained a very loving son; and was deeply affected by our mother's passing in 1999. He never really had the heart to play any more.”
They said the frontman, who also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Real Sociedad, Fenerbahce, Manchester City among others, was suffering from ill health during his final months.
"He understandably struggled to come to terms with the sudden diagnosis of serious illness affecting his kidneys and his blood pressure during the last six months of his life.
"He tried to stay positive, but it was heart-breaking for us to see a further deterioration in his health with pneumonia, leaving his light and energy significantly reduced."
His sister Elaine added: "One comfort we have is that he knew that he was loved and he told us this.
"Dalian was supposed to have been admitted to hospital for treatment on the day he died.
"Tomorrow we want to celebrate Dalian's life but the way that he died while he was so vulnerable casts such a dark shadow over everything.
"Every day is filled with agony and frustration because we still do not know what happened nor understand why such force was used on him."
Atkinson’s brother, Kenroy, appealed for any witnesses to the August 15th incident to speak to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
"When Dalian died, there was a lot of confusion about the events surrounding his death," Kenroy said.
"Criminal and disciplinary investigations are now being conducted to get to the truth of what happened.
"While these investigations are ongoing, it is crucial that no further speculation is reported and that we wait for the findings."
Saturday’s funeral will be held at Telford Crematorium chapel at 11.30am and will be relayed outside by loudspeaker. A private interment at Hadley Cemetery will follow.
Atkinson made his senior debut for Town 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.