Dalian Atkinson dies in Taser tragedy: Tributes paid to former Aston Villa striker
Tributes have been paid to former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson who died after being Tasered by police in Telford.
Shrewsbury-born Atkinson was a top flight striker in the 1990s, with a goal for league runners-up Aston Villa against Wimbledon, which followed a mazy run from inside his own half, being voted 1992-1993 goal of the season.
The 48-year-old died around 90 minutes after he was hit by a Taser in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at around 1.30am on Monday.
His strike partner Dean Saunders was in a state of disbelief when the news was broken to him.
"I really cannot believe it, he was my attacking partner," he said.
"He was a happy-go-lucky lad, a really nice bloke."
Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Nigel Spink said: "I am absolutely shocked, we had some great times when he was at Villa under Ron Atkinson, it was a really good time.
"He lived life to the full, he was a good lad, there was no harm in him, he was always a pleasure to be around."
After retiring as a player, Mr Atkinson had been working as a football agent, and Mr Spink said he was in touch with him until about five years ago.
"I was working for Steve Bruce at Sunderland, he seemed fine then, as far as you could tell, it was only phone conversations.
"I am absolutely shocked to hear his life has ended like this."
He said the striker would forever be remembered for his wonder strike against Wimbledon in 1992, when from deep inside his own half he beat three players before chipping the goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area.
"In a burst of 30 seconds you saw all of his attributes. He was extremely talented, he was really quick and he always had an eye for goal."
MORE: Man who died after being tasered by police in Telford named locally as former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson
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Starting his career at Ipswich he played for Sheffield Wednesday and Spanish side Real Sociedad before moving to Villa.
He scored more than 20 Premier League goals for the Birmingham side between 1991 and 1995 before going on to play less successfully for teams including Turkish side Fenerbahce and Manchester City.
He ended his playing career playing in South Korea in 2001.
