Dalian Robert Atkinson (21 March 1968 – 15 August 2016) was an English professional footballer who played as a striker.
He also played in Spain for Real Sociedad, in France for Metz, in Turkey for Fenerbahçe, in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad, and in South Korea for Daejeon Hana Citizen and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
[4] In 1989, manager Ron Atkinson (no relation) brought him to Sheffield Wednesday for £450,000 where he formed a fine front partnership with David Hirst for a single season.
[14] The partnership was broken up in 1995 when both players were sold to Turkish clubs – Saunders to Galatasaray and Atkinson to Fenerbahçe for £1.7 million.
[15] On 15 August 1992, Atkinson scored Villa's first ever Premier League goal, a 84-minute equaliser in a 1–1 away draw against Ipswich Town.
[10] Starting deep in the Aston Villa half of the pitch with a one-touch trap from a lofted ball that immediately took him away from a defending player, Atkinson then skipped past two more Wimbledon players and, pausing briefly as he reached the edge of the opposition penalty area, produced a delicately arched chip-shot that floated over the rushing goalkeeper.
[19] Atkinson is remembered by Aston Villa fans for his goal in the 1994 League Cup final win against Manchester United,[20] and that he scored twice in the semi-finals against Tranmere Rovers (once in the first leg and once in the second).
[23] Atkinson left the club in 1997 and ended his career with stints in Saudi Arabia and South Korea, finally retiring as a player in 2001.
[30] His former manager at Wednesday and Villa, Ron Atkinson, called the incident an "out-and-out tragedy" and noted that Dalian "had terrific ability".
[31][32] Dalian Atkinson's Humanist funeral took place at Telford Crematorium on 19 November 2016, followed by interment of his ashes at Hadley Cemetery.
[28] The defence barrister of his co-defendant said that the actions were "necessary and reasonable as part of [their] continuing efforts to restrain and detain an unpredictable and threateningly violent man as she perceived him to be".
[3] The jury failed to reach a verdict on the other police officer, Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith's, assault charge.
[41] Bettley-Smith was accused of gross misconduct and faced a disciplinary panel held by West Mercia Police in March 2023.