REDDITCH United manager Darren Byfield paid tribute to former Aston Villa team-mate Dalian Atkinson.
Atkinson, who had a successful top flight career playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Villa and Real Sociedad, died after being tasered by police officers this morning.
West Mercia Police confirmed officers responded to a report of concern for the safety of a man at about 1.30am in the Trench area of Telford.
A taser was used on the 48-year-old man and after receiving medical help, he was pronounced dead at about 3am.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission have revealed they are investigating the incident.
Byfield was a member Villa's academy and said he always looked up to the striker.
He said: "Dalian was a hero of mine.
"He liked to beat people and score goals, which is the type of player I was, so he was someone I looked up to.
"He always had time for people and I remember him giving me his boots. He came and watched me and I scored a hat-trick, so it was a special moment for me as a young player.
"He was a friend and because he was working as an agent, I used to speak with him a lot."
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