Shropshire Star

Dalian Atkinson funeral: Aston Villa stars and fans pay tribute in Telford - watch the video

Former Aston Villa manager Brian Little and player Ugo Ehiogu are among those who paid tribute to Dalian Atkinson at his funeral today.

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Fans also spoke of their memories of the player as his funeral was held at Telford Crematorium Chapel.

"You had such a charismatic soul and enriched everyone's lives with your intellect, insight and warmth, never failing to make people around you laugh."

This was just one of the tributes paid to ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson as he was laid to rest today.

Hundreds of fans, former football stars, friends and family members gathered at Telford Crematorium for his funeral service, ahead of an interment at Hadley cemetery.

The 48-year-old died after police were called to an incident in the street where he grew up, Meadow Close in Trench, Telford, in the early hours of August 15.

The retired footballer became unresponsive after being shot with a Taser.

The ex-Aston Villa striker, who had also played for Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City, died despite the efforts of hospital doctors, who battled for 35 minutes to try to save him.

During his humanist funeral service, tributes from family members were read aloud by celebrant Peter Mansell who led the service.

It included a poem by Dalian's niece Josie who wrote: "Inspiration is the word most appropriate to you, a figure I looked up to and still do."

In another tribute, his niece Cleo said: "You always exuded such a strong beautiful presence. You were a magnet to people who couldn't help but be drawn to you and like you.

"You had such a charismatic soul and enriched everyone's lives with your intellect, insight and warmth, never failing to make people around you laugh.

"With a striking sense of humour and a cheeky wink that I will always remember and a smile that would make my heart sing, after you would say something so accurately observed and delivered in a style that couldn't offend because it was so funny."

Ugo Ehiogu, ex-Villa centre back, and now part of Tottenham Hotspur's youth set-up, was among the former football stars who turned up to pay their respects.

Speaking after the service, he said he last spoke to Dalian in June and the pair had arranged to meet before his death but "sadly it didn't happen".

He said: "He was someone who was very kind to his friends, loved football, loved life and wanted to enjoy life.

"He was a very understanding man. When I first came to Villa he took me under his wing. He always had time for you."

Ehiogu has backed the on-going investigation into the circumstances of Atkinson's death, and the use of force by police.

He said: "I don't know many details about his death.

"I think an investigation needs to be thorough, it needs to be fair, it needs to be concise. There has to be answers that come out of this."

Former Aston Villa boss Brian Little said he had seen the "softer side" of Atkinson.

He said: "The memories I'd probably like to remember are those of watching Dalian play, especially under Ron Atkinson where he had a fantastic spell at Aston Villa.

"I've seen some of the great goals he scored, I've seen his strengths on the football field. When I came to Villa, Dalian had a fair few injuries, didn't play a lot of games for me, so I saw a young lad who was a little bit more concerned, certainly more quiet than you would imagine, less confident than you would imagine because on the football field he was a super confident person. I saw the quieter side of him, a young player who had been injured a bit and needed an arm around his shoulder."

Fans, who wore Villa shirts to the funeral, also paid tribute to Dalian following the service.

Anthony Hackett, 32, of Walsall, said: "Dalian was a childhood hero of mine, being a Villa fan. I met him on one occasion. I was nine or 10. He was very lovely.

"The service was very respectful. It was very nicely conducted."

Chris Jackson, 54, of Plough Road, Wellington, met Dalian about four years ago while working as a steward at Aston Villa's grounds.

He said: "He used to come into the Tiger Bowl Chinese takeaway in Wellington too and order food. He was so down to earth. It's a big loss for football and the community. He was very kind. He would try and help other people the best he could.

"The service was very good. It was very emotional."

Another fan who attended the service, Barry Ullah added: "He will go down in the history books at Villa Park. He is much loved by Villa fans."

Describing the moment he found out about Dalian's death, the 61-year-old, of Birmingham, said: "I was devastated, shocked. It was horrible."

Mr Atkinson is said to have suffered heart and kidney problems, which may have left him more vulnerable when he was shot with a Taser.

The death of Mr Atkinson, of Little Dawley, is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Two police officers with the West Mercia force are suspended pending a criminal investigation by the IPCC into the former professional footballer's death.

As part of the IPCC inquiry, both officers have also been served with gross misconduct notices.

The watchdog has said it will look into the level and type of force used during the incident.

In August, a coroner said the IPCC's investigation was due to take at least nine months.

West Mercia Police has been urged to bring in body cameras for its officers since his death.

More than 67,300 people have now signed a petition calling for a review of the police use of tasers following Dalian's death.

The online petition at change.org calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to launch an urgent review into the use of police tasers.

The use of tasers was also questioned by the former footballer's nephew Fabian following Dalian's death.

The 31-year-old said he believed that the police panicked and over-reacted and said they should have found out his medial history before using the weapon.

More than 130 people also joined a Justice for Dalian Atkinson march in September.

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