Siblings of non-league footballer who died in Milton Keynes attack pay tribute to ‘soft and dedicated’ brother

The brother and sister of a non-league footballer who died when he was attacked in Milton Keynes earlier this month have released tributes.

Omran and Shadore have released tributes to Ezekiel Williams, aged 26, who played for eighth-tier Hendon FC, and died after being assaulted during an incident in Midsummer Boulevard in the early hours of Sunday November 1.

In a tribute released through Thames Valley Police, Ezekiel's sister Shadore wrote: "Seeing Ezekiel get older and gain different ambitions in life was the best thing I could have witnessed.

“He got to become a football coach and teach children who loved the same sport as he did. He became closer to God and said he wanted to attend church and would get excited each time he got a new suit and would show it off to the family.

“Before he would go out on a night out or a date, he would ask me to help him pick out the clothes to wear and he would lay them out on the bed - then we’d both stand there and decide what colour schemes go best.

“Then once everything was chosen, he got excited again and checked himself out in the mirror.

“Sometimes, when I came back from work, we would talk about how our days went with the kids and he’d tell me all the positives (and negatives) and then we would both laugh about the situation and carry on with the day.

“We’d do it all again the next day, and the next, and so on.

“When Ezekiel came to a decision he wanted to learn how to drive and get a car for easy transport, seeing him make ambitions, I never thought about how he made me so proud, despite me being his youngest sibling.

“But seeing him do lessons on his phone, choosing his car and wanting to dance with joy when he got a high score will be the best memories for me to look back on.”

Ezekiel's brother Omran also shared his memories writing: "Ezekiel was an extremely dedicated and somewhat obsessive kind of man when it came to detail and punctuality.

“His attention to detail for both himself and others around him, whether it was for football or his friends and family is just some of the key qualities Ezekiel had in his arsenal.

“As his older brother, I can vouch for the soft, yet very exclusive soft side as well as his competitive high spirited annoying side too!

“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 him evolving into the refined legend that his communities knew him for.

“From this, I know that his voice, his teaching and his spirit will remain on the football pitch throughout all who have cared for him and praised him in his career.

“It pains me so much for my brother to go, but with this, I know his blessing will be with the many feet of young players and teammates that he’s worked with, reached out to and taught, for many years to come.”

A fundraising page set up in Ezekiel's memory by his best friend Tyrique Clarke has currently raised nearly £19,000.

Sameull Hussein, aged 28, of no fixed abode and Arman Uddin, aged 21, of Saxon Road, Luton, have both been charged with murder in connection with Ezekiel's death.

A plea and trial preparation hearing for Hussein and Uddin is due to take place on February 7 2027, with their trial currently listed to begin at Amersham Crown Court on July 19 2027, and expected to last for between two and three weeks.