Dalian Atkinson

[olaftab]

A truly tragic event. RIP Dalian.

[A Northern Soul]

I had to stop the car earlier when I heard an eye witness describe what she saw. Clearly I was already sad and upset with the news but to hear her saying that after tasering him two officers laid into him with their boots and then he was tasered a further 4-5 times after he 'refused' to put his hands behind his head is horrific, if true. Mods apologies if this is prejudicial and if so please remove

[Godfrey Brian]

Incredibly sad news and circumstances. Part of one of best Villa forward pairings in my lifetime and responsible for some great Villa moments. Hope that his family are able to learn the truth swiftly .

[PeterWithesShin]

Planned tribute

https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/08/15/atkinson-tribute

[Hopadop]

Two officers couldn't taser four or five times, unless they've got four or five tasers. I'd take such reports with a big pinch.

Sad news. Along with the incredible goals, it was the swagger I'll remember. Against Inter he had a bit of a bundle with an Italian player, but just laughed at him, pulled a face and jogged away still laughing. At least that's how I recall it.

I'd been bricking it about playing them, but I knew then all would be well.

[supertom]

Gutted. He and Deano were my favourite players back in the day. As many have undoubtedly said, on his day he was exceptionally talented. Scored some exquisite goals.
There's going to be a lot of "I saw him..." They'll paint either him or the police in a bad light, but lets try to forget that, leave it to the investigators. I'm saddened we've lost a villa icon. A big part of a very good side that could beat anyone.

[Morten]

He scored two belters at Hillsborough one year, these sometimes get overlooked.

A genuine club great, from a golden age, with a medal to prove it.

"Daaaalian Atkinson, Dalian Atkinson"

RIP.

These 2 goals are some of my best memories as well, the game was shown live on Danish Television. You can see the goals here, about 3 minutes in

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mv5NxkR739w

[CorkVilla]

When I started supporting Villa in about 1992 he was my favourite player. Even non-Villa supporting friends would talk about him in high regard. Never fulfilled his promise but left us with some absolute crackers at a time when we were still one of the elite clubs in the land.

I do remember thinking it was a bit odd how he dissapeared off the radar completely. The likes of Tony Daly, McGrath, Saunders, Houghton and a few others went on to have relatively high profile careers after football but Atkinson sort of dissapeared...

[Percy McCarthy]

From the looks of things the police have a few questions to answer on this. Was Dalian's manner threatening as he approached them? Did they taser him after he fell to the ground? If so why?

Yes. Just a thought, but a legitimate one, would he have been tasered if he'd been a white bloke?

What an odd thing to say?! One could almost say inciting hatred.

I don't think it's odd. Do you watch the news much?

[SoccerHQ]

Planned tribute

https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/08/15/atkinson-tribute

Nothing before the game, maybe too short notice?

[PeterWithesShin]

I assume they'll mention it over the tannoy and show goals on the big screen.

[SoccerHQ]

Sad with the timing aswell...

We've finally had a good win and people start becoming optimistic for the first time in years and we get this awful news straight away.
Hopefully memories of this will inspire us to better times.

[Exeter 77]

When I think of Dalian two things come to mind. Firstly, him picking the ball out of the Tranmere net after he'd equalised possibly because he thought we needed another goal. Not that I could have seen that at the time because he'd just been responsible for the last great Holte terrace goal celebration. And secondly him running, tongue out, towards the Villa fans after scoring and leaving Steve Bruce tangled in the net at Wembley.

An especially tragic death for a man who gave joy to so many at a time which is remembered as well as if it were yesterday for those of us who were there.

[Somniloquism]

When I think of Dalian two things come to mind. Firstly, him picking the ball out of the Tranmere net after he'd equalised possibly because he thought we needed another goal. Not that I could have seen that at the time because he'd just been responsible for the last great Holte terrace goal celebration. And secondly him running, tongue out, towards the Villa fans after scoring and leaving Steve Bruce tangled in the net at Wembley.

An especially tragic death for a man who gave joy to so many at a time which is remembered as well as if it were yesterday for those of us who were there.

That was the longest two seconds of my life. It always seemed that the ball was going too slow and would be cleared.

[PeterWithe]

So sad.

On his day the best forward I've ever seen in a Villa shirt, his day was few and far between, if it wasn't I doubt he'd be playing for us any road.