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.
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."
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