Hendon to resume at Bedfont Sports following the death of midfielder Ezekiel Williams

Hendon will return to action in an Isthmian League South Central Division match at Bedfont Sports on Saturday, 12 days after midfielder Ezekiel Williams died in hospital on 2 November from head injuries sustained in an incident in Milton Keynes. Two men have been charged with murder and the part-time club has not played since his death as players and staff mourn.

Williams, 26, had joined Hendon in September and was known in non-league circles as 'Zekes' and 'Eze' after spells with Hastings United, Kettering Town and St Ives Town; the club described him as a "humble, unassuming and generous individual with razor-sharp wit". Hendon are based in Kingsbury, north-west London, and their chairman Cyrus Cooper said: "Nothing prepares you for something like this. We're all human beings and the club is struggling to come to terms with what has happened."

Manager Adam Fisher recounted attempting to contact Williams about a midweek fixture: "I messaged Ezekiel because we had a midweek cup game and I wanted to check he was still available." Fisher said there was no reply and that he discovered Williams' death via social media the following Tuesday; "I found out on the Tuesday afternoon and I didn't leave my house until the Friday," he added.

Fisher described recent interactions with Williams, including a message after Hendon's 24 October match in which Williams told him: "Gaffer, I'm really sorry I didn't catch you after the game but I'm going away for the weekend to see a relative who is sick" and that he would miss subsequent training and the Saturday game but would "be back on Monday." Williams scored in the Jersey Bulls league game on 24 October and three days later started Hendon's 2-0 home defeat by Egham Town, which proved to be his last match.

The club have offered counselling to players and staff, and held a training session on Thursday where players said a prayer and Cooper attended to speak to the squad. Midfielder Tashae Andall-Gibbons said: "Saturday is going to be so hard because Eze is going to be on our minds and what happened to him," adding: "Everyone is distraught. Eze was only 26 and had his whole life ahead of him." Cooper warned: "It's going to be the first time the players put their kit on without Ezekiel being there. I think there are going to be a lot of tears. It's going to be an emotional day for everyone associated with Hendon Football Club."

Outside the club, Williams coached children at coaching company JOAP and his best friend Tyrique Clarke, JOAP's CEO and head of coaching, said: "I've had lots of messages from parents saying how much Zekes made their kids feel so special." Clarke added: "We met about 14 years ago and we spoke every day about everything. He was a real source of comfort for me. Someone I would speak to about every decision. Who do I ask now? He was just the most selfless, loving person and always a bright spark of energy." A crowdfunding page in Williams' memory has raised nearly £19,000.

Williams' sister Shadore paid tribute, saying: "Seeing Ezekiel get older and gain different ambitions in life was the best thing I could have witnessed." She said he became a football coach, grew closer to God, and would send his friends a meaningful Bible verse every day.

Hendon will pay tribute to Williams at their next home game against Ascot United on 28 November, and will make Saturday's fixture at Bedfont Sports their first match since his death.