The family and friends of a London footballer killed in attack on a night out have remembered him as a ‘shining light’ to the hundreds of young players mentored. 

Ezekiel Williams, 26, died after an unprovoked assault in Milton Keynes in the early hours of Sunday.

Two men, aged 21 and 28, from Luton, have been arrested on suspicion of murder while a third man, 30, was detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Ezekiel, who lived in Ruislip, west London, played for Hendon FC and had also turned out for Kettering Town in recent years. 

His brother told : ‘His attention to detail for both himself and others around him – whether it be for football or friends and family – is just one of the few key qualities in Ezekiel’s arsenal.

‘As his older brother I can vouch for soft yet very exclusive, side as well as his competitive, high-spirited side.’

He added: ‘It brings me great joy and pride as his brother to see that some of my teachings became some of his core values which led to him evolving into the refined legend that his community’s known him [as].

‘I know his voice, teaching and spirit will remain on the pitch through all those who have cared and praised him in his career.

‘It pains me so much to my brother go but with this I know his blessing will be with the many feet of those he’s worked with , reached and taught for many years to come.’

Ezekiel’s best friend, Tyrique Clarke, set up a training camp for young footballers three years ago called Journey of A Professional (JOAP), which has trained hundreds of boys and girls.

He said he was a peaceful Christian who had inexplicably been attacked while walking towards an Airbnb he had booked for a night out in Milton Keynes. 

Tyrique told : ‘Ezekiel was a shining light to all he came across.

‘The kids looked up to him. He was the perfect mentor, he always had wise advice and time for everyone. The parents of the players respected him so much and appreciated him.

‘We have had hundreds of messages about his death. Some have said their children are so upset they have not been able to go to school. We are all heartbroken.’

He added: ‘He was a peacemaker. A wonderful person.’

A parent of one of the junior players Ezekiel trained wrote on social media: ‘This young Gentleman has been an inspiration to my two young sons for two or three years. We are devastated and struggling to believe this is real, that we won’t see his lovely warm smile twice a week.’

Ezekiel had recently scored his first goal for Hendon FC.

In a statement on X, the club – which plays in the Isthmian League South Central Division – described him as a ‘humble, unassuming and generous individual with a razor-sharp wit’.

The club’s planned cup game on Wednesday was postponed in a show of respect to their player. 

Meanwhile a fundraiser has been set up in memory of Ezekiel. You can donate here.

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