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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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Goals on 6, 31,37 and 58 I was at the game - had some Boro fans staying with me I went with them - Only time i have watched Town from the away end- couldn't believe the result Highlight of the Duncan era?
Fortunate enough to of seen him many times in full flow in a Town shirt, bloody breathtaking when on top of his game! He used to pick the ball up and go on mazy runs, couldn't get the ball off him! Used to drive Mr. Duncan crazy, hahaha! The Robson era aside, were there any more gifted than Dalian? Rest in peace Dalian, and thanks for the memories!
My memory is terrible but went to ipswich at palace. I think they beat us 3-0 with wright and bright in their side, but clearly remember dalian was most exciting player on the pitch, did everything but score. Life can get very tough and so sad this has happened. Could have been a great.
Like so many other longtime ITFC here I too remember his stunning performance and hattrick against Boro, almost like yesterday! Especially those 2 thunderous 20-22 yards-out super strikes .... and I do mean thunderous! Such type of goals from spectacular rocket-like shots pretty much anywhere outside the box were far from as common in those days, as it's sometimes forgotten -- especially by the real young football fans of today -- that back then in the 80's they still played with them "old" footballs which not just often "felt" heavier to kick but undeniably was significantly less floaty and beach-ball-like when struck (or as a renowned Sky commentator vividly put it recently: "When struck by the non-Peter Lorimer, non-Ronald Koeman or non-Roberto Carlos types of this here great game") compared to those so called "enhanced" ones being used nowadays.
And also like just about every other longtime ITFC fan I presume, I almost immediately "fell in luv" with him (or his outstanding raw talent rather!) as he finally became a regular in the shirt in the 2nd part of the 1987/1988 season. Also even before he finally scored his first (and second) senior goal for Town which happened in a league game against Barnsley in late February 1988. But personally I believe that the very 1st time I actually saw Dalian in senior action might very well have been as early as in the VERY memorable "Ipswich Town vs. 1978 FA Cup Winners" Laurie Sivell testimonial back in May of 1985, where he came on as a late sub. ---- See lineups + match report here: http://www.prideofanglia.com/page.php?page=matchReport&level=1&year=1985&month=5
Rest In Peace Dalian .... you will be missed and remain in our hearts.
Being in the North Stand for those first two strikes against Boro is my favourite memory of following Town in that post-Robson era. Tragic news. RIP Dalian.
The Boro game was my first Town game, best hat trick ever and still had the time to talk with people on the odd occasion you would see him back in Ipswich. RIP Dalian.
Very very sad news. Horrible news in fact. He really was an outstanding player, so exciting to watch, could create chances, could score goals. And what goals! I remember a game v Pompey when he went on one of his typical runs and smashed it in from long range!
I'm slightly too young to have seen him as a player, I went to the odd game under Ferguson and Duncan but never say Dalian play. However we do have some mutual friends and share the sadness and shock with them of what happened. His health problems are on record and we can only hope there's a fair and thorough investigation on what happened. However lets not jump to conclusions.
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