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Former Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson has died after 'flying into a booze-fuelled rage' and being Tasered by police in the street.

The football star was "very agitated" and in a "real state" when police were called to his dad's home in the early hours of this morning before hitting him with a stun gun.

Atkinson's dad Ernest, 85, said his son – who frequently visited him – became agitated shortly before he was Tasered by the cops.

Speaking from his home today, he said: "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.

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"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."

A neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said the former Premier League ace was hammering on his dad's door in the early hours.

The neighbour added: "There was a lot of banging and shouting, and doors being kicked in.

"Dalian was shouting about being homeless, he wanted his dad to let him in - but his dad wouldn't so he was kicking the door.

"I have no idea why, or what they were fighting about.

"Then someone phoned the police, and they came - I don't know exactly what happened after that, but it's very tragic.

"I've known Dalian since he was a baby.

"Dalian is a lovely lad - he was always a very nice boy and very nice to talk to.

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"His mum died some years ago, and he went away when he was young to do his training as a footballer - he was very successful."

Neighbour Pauline Quinn said: "He was stumbling and the police officer warned him that they would Taser him, but because he kept moving forward, non-threatening, they deployed the Taser.

(Image: PA)

"As soon as the Taser hit him he went down like a lead balloon.

“I heard shouting and something smashing, which is what alerted me to look out of the window.

“I am feeling a bit sick knowing that the poor lad has passed. I don’t care what anybody has done. Nobody deserves to die as a result of something like that.”

The ex-footballer was rushed to hospital after police swarmed the area.

Officers from West Mercia Police raced to the scene at around 1.30am, with neighbours reporting shouting and arguing.

Atkinson was hit by a stun gun and rushed to hospital – but could not be saved.

Witnesses said he was stunned multiple times by police.

The star died at around 3am after suffering a heart attack.

Neighbours claimed that Atkinson had recently been in hospital and was suffering from health problems.

One neighbour said: "They Tasered him three times - of course that was going to kill him, it's horrible and disgusting."

Neighbours said the retired star, who drives a Porsche, was well-known among people in the street, making regular visits to the short cul-de-sac.

Speaking at a cordon set up by police to prevent people entering the street, local residents Matthew and Tina Bothwell said they were deeply shocked at Mr Atkinson's death.

Mr Bothwell, 43, told reporters: "Every time he would come he would have crowds around him. It's close-knit community.

"I just can't bear to think what his family are going through."

Mrs Bothwell added: "He was loving, caring and got on with everybody in the street. He always got on with the kids because they absolutely loved his car."

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A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered.

“As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest.

“Despite efforts it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival.”

Atkinson died around 90 minutes after receiving medical treatment.

Next-door neighbour Lascelles Rose, 73, said: "I spoke to his dad this morning, he phoned me to tell me the sad news.

"He was so upset, he just kept telling me 'he's gone' and 'my boy is dead' - he is just so heartbroken.

"Dalian had been in hospital recently for a couple of months, he had been poorly but I don't know what with.

"He went to school with my three children and I've known him his whole life, he was a good man who would always be friendly and say hello.

(Image: McDougall Alison)

"I used to watch him playing football in the street and you could tell then he had something special.

"He was one hell of a football player and a top man.

"I am just in complete shock trying to process what had happened.

"He was never a trouble-maker or anything like that and the police had never been round there before - I just can't understand why this has happened.

"Dalian didn't live there anymore but he did visit quite a bit, he always kept in touch with his parents and would come and see them whoever he played for.

"It is such a tragedy. He was such a talent and such a lovely man."

Childhood friend Sony Atwal, 47, said: "He was my best friend when we were younger - we went to primary school together, and grew up together.

"I've been speaking to other people on the street - there was nothing really serious going on, he was just trying to see his dad.

"He got Tasered multiple times.

(Image: Reuters)

"I feel anguished and angry - he was never a violent person, he was a gentle giant.

"You could understand if he had weapons or a baseball bat, but he had nothing like that at all."

Neither the police nor the IPCC would confirm how many times Atkinson was Tasered.

Matthew Bothwell, 43, who lives on Meadow Close with his wife Tina, 41, said: “They are a really nice family.

“It’s just heartbreaking. We feel for what they must be going through.

“My son heard shouting last night but we just woke up at 7am and saw the street was cordoned off.

“As far as I’m aware Dalian doesn’t live at the address.”

Former team mate Paul McGrath took to Twitter to express his sadness, saying: "Don't feel too good at the moment.

The football community have expressed their devastation at the news with tributes flooding in for the striker, who played for Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City, as well as Villa.

"Dalian Atkinson was a huge part of the Villa family I played with. Lovely kid and friend. R.I.P pal X"

Dalian began his career at Ipswich Town in 1987, before Ron Atkinson bought him for £450,000 in 1989.

(Image: Twitter)

He was sold to Spanish side Real Sociedad for £1.7million and moved back to England to join Aston Villa for a similar fee in 1991.

There he forged a formidable partnership with Dean Saunders and went on to lift the League Cup in 1994, scoring in the 3-1 final win against Manchester United.

He also won the Goal of the Season competition in 1992 when he chipped the goalkeeper following an incredible run from his own half against Wimbledon.

He scored more than 20 Premier League goals for Villa between 1991 and 1995 and ended his career playing in South Korea in 2001.

He tragic last tweet before he died read: "See you later guys! It's been emotional!"

Atkinson’s former manager Ron Atkinson said: "This is an out-and-out tragedy.

"He was a really popular player with teammates. He was a really generous lad – sometimes too generous for his own good – but a good lad.

"He always had a smile on his face and I really like that in a player.

"He also had terrific ability. I always knew I didn’t need to worry about him in big games."

Ipswich Town's official Twitter account wrote: "Terribly sad news about our former striker. Our thoughts are with Dalian's family and friends at this tragic time."

Aston Villa's official Twitter account added: "You'll never be forgotten."

Sol Campbell said: "What?! Shocked and saddened by this news. Thoughts with friends and family."

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Gary Linekar said: "Terrible news about Dalian Atkinson. Losing his life after being Tasered by police. Thoughts are with this fine footballer's family."

Former left back and left winger Kevin Kilbane tweeted: "Shocked to hear the news Dalian Atkinson has died. Always remember his classic goal."

Ex-Villa teammate Mark Bosnich has told of his sorrow at the news.

"RIP Dalian Atkinson, at his best one of the very best," he said.

Football manager Frank Sinclair said: "Absolutely shocked at the news of Dalian Atkinson's sudden death, a good man, great talent in his day! Rip mate."

Former forward Chris Sutton wrote: "Terrible news about Dalian Atkinson. Thoughts for his family x"

Former colleague Ian Taylor said he only spoke to Atkinson last week.

"Just heard news regarding my old team mate Dalian," he said.

"Deepest condolences to his family. Only spoke to him last week as well. Sad sad news."

Sheffield Wednesday said on the social media site: “The thoughts of everyone at Wednesday are with the friends and family of Dalian Atkinson this morning. RIP.”

(Image: PA)

David Hirst, who played alongside Atkinson for Sheffield Wednesday in the top flight during the 1989-90 season before the club were relegated, described it as a "sad day and a massive shock".

Hirst said: "This is not the news you want to be seeing.

"I saw the news and was thinking they had surely got it wrong. That should not happen.

"Whatever has happened, I can't comment on that, but I do know he was a great lad and a great character to have around the place.

"We got on great and had one season together before he moved on to Spain and then Ron Atkinson brought him back to Villa.

"He was some player and of course at Villa he scored that goal of the season.

"On his day he was unplayable and even on an off-day he could be unplayable because of his lightning pace.

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"He was loud and fun to be around. He had an opinion, but who doesn't? It's very sad."

Former England defender Ugo Ehiogu, who broke into the Villa team to play alongside Atkinson in the 1990s, described the striker as "a friend and mentor".

Atkinson described himself on his LinkedIn page as the managing director of Players Come First in Shropshire.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The police will assist the IPCC with their enquiries, a spokesman said.

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A statement from the IPCC said: "The IPCC understands that West Mercia Police were called to Meadow Close, Trench, shortly before 2am on Monday.

"At this stage the IPCC is aware a Taser was used on the man before he became ill.

"The ambulance service attended but the man later died.

"IPCC investigators are at the scene gathering the available information and are attending the post incident procedures to supervise the recovery of initial evidence.

"The IPCC is conducting a full and thorough investigation into all of the circumstances surrounding his death including the use of force."

(Image: Rex)

Aston Villa fans have now called for a mass umbrella tribute at the next home game tomorrow.

Atkinson will be remembered by many Villans for his celebration with an umbrella after one of his many goals for the club, this time against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park in 1992.

(Image: Reuters)

Former Birmingham City striker Marcus Bent was also Tasered by police after confronting two officers with a meat cleaver and a kitchen knife.

The 37-year-old dialled 999 and later emerged with the blades with his “eyes wide, jaw clenched, his body rigid”, a court heard.

Bent called the police after taking cocaine and reported that he could hear intruders in his flat.

Last year police use of Tasers, which are intended as a non-lethal weapon, went up slightly towards the end of 2015 with 10,329 uses by forces in England and Wales, a 2% rise on the previous year.

However, of those, 19% (1,921) were discharges – a decrease of 3% from the previous year.

The latest incident follows death of ex-soldier Spencer Beynon in June, after he was Tasered by police in Llanelli, South Wales, after stabbing a dog and then himself.