Atkinson grew up on Weaste Lane in Salford and went to All Souls primary school on Kintyre Avenue, which was also the primary school of Warrington Wolves prop Adrian Morley.
Adrian Ross | Adrian Rogers | Adrian | Paul Morley | Adrian Boult | Adrian Belew | Adrian Noble | Pope Adrian VI | Malcolm Morley | Adrian Grenier | Robert Morley | Adrian Peterson | Adrian Fenty | Thomas Morley | Adrian Willaert | Adrian Smith | Adrian Sherwood | Adrian Newey | Adrian, Michigan | Morley | Lynn Morley Martin | John Morley | Adrian Zmed | Adrian Piper | Adrian Mole | Adrian Lester | Thomas de Morley, 5th Baron Morley | The List of Adrian Messenger | Pope Adrian IV | Morley, West Yorkshire |
He had joined Salford from Eccles ARL where he played alongside Adrian Morley Ian Watson (rugby league) and Carlo Napolitano.