Two men have been charged with murder following the death of a 26-year-old non-league footballer after he was attacked in Milton Keynes over the weekend.

Ezekiel Williams, who played for eighth tier Hendon FC, 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 has confirmed that Samuel Hussain, aged 28, of no fixed abode, and Arman Uddin, aged 21, of Saxton Road in Luton were both charged with murder last night (Thursday).

A third man, aged 30, also from Luton, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on conditional court bail while investigations continue.

A Home Office post-mortem examination which took place yesterday, said that the preliminary cause of Ezekiel Williams’ death was a head injury.

Police say that Hussain and Uddin remain in police custody and are due to appear before Milton Keynes Magistrates Court this morning (Friday).

In a statement following Ezekiel’s death Hendon FC said they were “stunned and heartbroken” by the news, describing him as “a humble, unassuming and generous individual with a razor-sharp wit.”

Ezekiel’s death came 10 days after he scored his first goal for the club against Jersey Bulls.

A fundraising page set up in Ezekiel’s memory has raised almost £17,500, at the time of writing.