Non-league footballer dies after Milton Keynes assault

Summarised from 5 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 14:13 · Archive

Ezekiel Williams, 26, died in hospital after an assault in Milton Keynes on Sunday morning.

Ezekiel Williams, a 26-year-old midfielder, died in hospital on Monday after sustaining serious injuries in an assault on Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes in the early hours of Sunday. Thames Valley Police officers were called shortly after 1:50am GMT by South Central Ambulance Service after Williams was found with serious injuries.

Thames Valley Police detectives launched a murder investigation following his death. Two men aged 21 and 28 from Luton have been arrested on suspicion of murder. A third man aged 30, also from Luton, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in custody.

Williams played for Hendon FC, which competes in the Isthmian League South Central Division, the eighth tier of English football. He joined the club in September and had begun to establish himself in midfield. He scored his first goal for Hendon against Jersey Bulls ten days before his death, in a 4-2 defeat.

Hendon FC paid tribute to Williams in a statement on Tuesday evening, describing him as 'a humble, unassuming and generous individual with a razor-sharp wit'. The club said he 'quickly established himself as a highly popular member of the dressing room' and that his 'hard-working and selfless displays summed him up as a person'. Hendon postponed Wednesday's London Senior Cup tie with Woodford Town to allow players and management time to process the news.

Kettering Town FC, where Williams had previously played during the 2024-25 season, offered their own tribute. The club described him as 'talented, kind, and a truly inspirational individual' who 'showed great leadership qualities from the get-go' and 'had his faith at the forefront of his heart'. They said his 'warmth touched everyone lucky enough to know him'.

Williams had also played for FC Romania, Northwood, Harrow Borough, Ascot United and Hastings United. Metro reports that he ran training and mentoring sessions for young players aged eight and upwards, many of whom went on to play for professional football academies. His brother told Metro that Williams's attention to detail and his competitive spirit were among his key qualities, and that his 'voice, teaching and spirit will remain on the pitch through all those who have cared and praised him in his career'.

Detective Inspector Rob Underhill of Thames Valley Police's major crime unit said: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Ezekiel's family and loved ones at this devastating time.' He added that police do not believe there is any wider risk to the local community, though there will be an increased police presence in and around The Hub and Milton Keynes city centre in the coming days. GoFundMe campaigns have been set up in Williams' memory.

How it is being reported

• Tributes pour in for ‘wonderful’ footballer killed in attack on night outEzekiel Williams was a promising young footballer playing for Hendon FC (Picture: Supplied) 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…Metro · 5 Nov, 14:01
• Three men arrested following suspected murder of semi-professional footballerThree men have been arrested following the suspected murder of a semi-professional footballer. Ezekiel Williams, 26, died following an assault on Sunday morning in Milton Keynes. Thames Valley Police detectives launched a murder investigation after the footballer died from his injuries in hospital. Two men, aged 21 and 28, from Luton, have been arrested on suspicion of his murder. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Another man, 30, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Williams had been playing his football with Hendon, who compete in the eighth tier of English football. The…GB News · 5 Nov, 13:41
• Police launch murder investigation into death of non-league footballerHendon FC midfielder Ezekiel Williams died in hospital on Monday, aged 26Independent Sport · 5 Nov, 09:06
• Three men arrested after suspected murder of 'talented' footballerEzekiel Williams, 26, died in the early hours of Sunday morning in Milton KeynesThe Independent · 5 Nov, 08:42
• Three men arrested after suspected murder of 'kind and talented' footballer, 26Three men have been arrested following the murder of Ezekiel Williams, the non-league footballer who died of his injuries after being assaulted in Milton KeynesThe Mirror · 4 Nov, 16:07
• Police arrest two for murder after footballer, 26, died following early-hours street assaultHendon FC midfielder Ezekiel Williams, 26, died after he sustained serious injuries in an early-hours assault on Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes on November 1.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 16:02
• Non-league footballer, 26, tragically dies as 'heartbroken' club pay tributeEzekiel Williams, who played for Hendon in the Isthmian League South Central Division, died suddenly on Monday and his death has sparked an outpouring of grief from the non-league communityThe Mirror · 3 Nov, 20:38

In this story: Ezekiel Williams · Hendon FC · Kettering Town FC · Thames Valley Police · Milton Keynes · Midsummer Boulevard

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