Ipswich mourn death of legend Kevin Beattie
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Former England and Ipswich Town legend Kevin Beattie has died of a suspected heart attack aged 64.
The central defender won the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup as part of Sir Bobby Robson’s hugely successful Ipswich side of the last 1970s and early 80s.
Beattie was widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest players.
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He won nine caps for England and was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 1973/74, as he became the first ever winner of the award.
His manager at Ipswich, Sir Bobby Robson, described the defender as the best English player he had ever seen.
Beattie died at home early on Sunday, the day after broadcasting live for BBC Radio Suffolk on his regular slot on the Life’s a Pitch show.
He laughed and joked with presenter Mark Murphy and praised the support of Ipswich Town fans during a discussion about improving the atmosphere at Portman Road.
Mr Murphy told the BBC he had been on “fine form” and added: “To say I’m devastated is an understatement.
“He was my co-host for the past seven years and I am proud to call him my friend.
“He was without a doubt the greatest ever footballer to pull on the Ipswich Town shirt.
“The fans idolised him and he loved the fans with equal measure. He would be mobbed wherever we went.
“I will miss him terribly.”
“Beat” arrived at Portman Road as a 15-year-old and progressed through the youth ranks, making his debut against Manchester United in 1972.
He went on to make 296 appearances for the club, scoring 32 goals and consistently finished at the top of supporters’ polls as Ipswich Town’s top player of all time.
His career was dogged by injury and all but ended at the age of 28, when he left Ipswich.
He had spells at Middlesbrough and Colchester, but returned to the town and lived in a council-owned bungalow, where he cared for his wife who has multiple sclerosis.
“We are devastated to hear the news of the passing of Town legend Kevin Beattie at the age of 64,” Ipswich tweeted from their official account.
“The thoughts of everybody at #itfc are with Kevin’s family & friends at this very difficult time.
“The Beat. Thank you.”
