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Atkinson, who is fondly remembered by Villa fans for his goal in the 1994 League Cup final, died around 90 minutes after being hit with the stun gun.

The 48-year-old's dad described his son as being "in a real state" shortly before his death when he went into cardiac arrest.

Parents Ernest and Gloria have spoken of their shock after their son flew into a booze-fuelled rage.

Ernest, 85, 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.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘don’t move’ when the police came to the door.

**Click here for the highlights of Dalian Atkinson's career**

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“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."

Officers from West Mercia Police received reports of concern for a person's wellbeing in Telford, Shrops at around 1.30am on Monday morning.

A Taser was then used on former striker Atkinson, who subsequently was pronounced dead in hospital at around 3am.

West Mercia Police have not commented any further.

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The incident has now been handed over to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which confirmed it is investigating.

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.

(Image: GETTY - stock image) (Image: PA) (Image: SWNS.COM)

“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.

“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.

(Image: LUKE JOHNSTON / SWNS.COM)

“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."

A neighbour, who said she has known the family for years, described the tragedy as "horrible".

The woman, who didn't want to be named, said: "Dalian had a weak heart and kidney failure.

"They Tasered him three times — of course that was going to kill him, it's horrible and disgusting."

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Another neighbour, who also did not want to be named, said: "I had known him since he was a little boy, he was a famous footballer at one time.

"He was friendly, he had no trouble that I know of."

Atkinson started his career at Ipswich Town and later played for Sheffield Wednesday FC.

He also played for Spanish side Real Sociedad before moving to Villa.

Atkinson was a top flight striker in the 1990s and is credited for a goal with Aston Villa against Wimbledon which followed an amazing run from inside his own half.

It was voted 1992/1993 goal of the season.

(Image: PA)

(Image: PA)

Dalian, who was born in Telford, went on to score at Wembley in 1994 as Villa beat Manchester United to lift the League Cup.

In total he scored more than 20 Premier League goals for the Birmingham side between 1991 and 1995.

He later played for Turkish side Fenerbahce and Manchester City before ending his playing career in South Korea in 2001.

Tributes have flooded in on Twitter from fans, friends and former teammates.

Former team Ipswich Town paid tribute on its Twitter feed, saying: "Terribly sad news about our former striker. Our thoughts are with Dalian's family and friends at this tragic time."

Sheffield Wednesday added to their Twitter: "The thoughts of everyone at Wednesday are with the friends and family of Dalian Atkinson this morning. RIP".

Ron Atkinson, who managed Dalian at Sheffield Wednesday and Villa, described his former player as an "immense talent".

He said: "Obviously it's tragic. This is something you can't comprehend really.

"Dalian was a player with immense talent and he had a habit of coming good in big games.

"He was a scorer of great goals. He had terrific ability. I always knew I didn't need to worry about him in big games.

"I still believe that if he hadn't got injured just before Christmas in the first year of the Premier League then we would've won it, as him and Dean Saunders were the best partnership in the league at that time.

"Probably the most important goal he got for us was in the first leg of the [1994 League Cup] semi-final against Tranmere when he scored with the last kick of the match."

He added: "He was very popular amongst the rest of the boys, who was always really generous.

"He was a very jolly lad and was always smiling."

West Mercia Police put a statement on its website which read: "West Mercia Police can confirm that officers responded to a report for the concern for the safety of an individual at approximately 1.30am this morning at an address in Telford.

"Upon arrival Taser was deployed and a 48-year-old man, who subsequently received medical attention, was pronounced dead at approximately 3am.

"West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries."

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A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1.45am this morning.

"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 the efforts of the crew and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival."