Tributes have been paid to a 26-year-old former Kettering footballer after he died from injuries sustained in an attack in Milton Keynes at the weekend.

Ezekiel Williams died in hospital from his injuries on Monday (November 2) after being assaulted in Midsummer Boulevard in the early hours of Sunday (November 1).

Thames Valley Police have launched a murder investigation into the incident with two men arrested on suspicion of murder.

A spokesman for Kettering Town FC said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to announce the sudden passing of Ezekiel Williams yesterday afternoon.

placeholder image — Ezekiel Williams/KTFC

“Ezekiel initially joined the Poppies at the beginning of the 24/25 season where he played all of pre-season but the travel proved to be too difficult for him, so never started the season.

“Ezekiel showed great leadership qualities from the get go at his time here and his humble approach made him a highly popular member of the dressing room.

“He was a talented, kind, and a truly inspirational individual who had his faith at the forefront of his heart, and this led him to be the wonderful young man that he was, someone whose warmth touched everyone lucky enough to know him, and whose example will continue to inspire us long after today.”

Ezkiel played for Hendon FC, a club who compete in the Isthmian South Central division, the eighth tier of English football.

The club posted in a statement on the social media platform X: “A humble, unassuming and generous individual with a razor-sharp wit, Eze joined the club in September and quickly established himself as a highly popular member of the dressing room and was beginning to carve a place for himself in midfield with a series of hard-working and selfless displays that summed him up as a person.”

Ezekiel also worked as the head of youth development at Journey of a Pro, a Christian-values-rooted football coaching and training community based in West London.

A gofundme page has been set up in his memory with £16,840 raised so far.

The page said: “Ezekiel was a hugely talented footballer with the dream of becoming a professional footballer; he worked hard day in day out to try and achieve his goal. Alongside this he spent his time helping other young footballers at JOAP get closer to achieving their goal of becoming a professional footballer. He helped every young athlete he encountered from young children who gained “confidence” from his sessions to players receiving professional academy contracts through his training!

“Truly a humble, family-orientated, God-fearing man, we would appreciate your love and support with this fundraiser in the loving memory of our Ezekiel Williams.”