Kevin Beattie, the man widely considered Town’s greatest ever player, celebrates his 60th birthday today.
Carlisle-born Beattie made 296 starts and 11 sub appearances for the Blues between 1972 and 1981, scoring 32 goals, having come through the club's youth system.
He also won nine full England caps, scoring once, and spent time with Middlesbrough and Colchester in a career which was cut short by injury.
In his 2005 autobiography Farewell But Not Goodbye Beattie’s mentor Sir Bobby Robson outlined what made him such a great player: "We discovered Kevin Beattie in the autumn of 1970. He had everything. What a left foot he had.
"He could crack a ball 60 yards from a defensive midfield position to outside-right. A pass like that could change a game.
"He was a big tackler, and nobody could get near him in the air. At Everton, he once scored from above the crossbar. He jumped so high he could have seen the town clock and told you the time.
"Nobody, but nobody, could outrun him. He would give opponents a half-yard start on purpose to trick them into thinking they could out-sprint him.
"He would invite the pass down the gully and then outrun the intended recipient. Kevin and Allan Hunter were a fantastic central-defensive pairing.
"George Best aside, I rate Kevin Beattie as the best player these islands produced in 25 years. George was special, as were Bobby Charlton and Denis Law from the same era. Duncan Edwards was colossal, strong and a destroyer, but Beattie had pace as well. He just had pure natural ability.”
Leave your birthday wishes below and we’ll pass them on to him. Also add your favourite memories of Beattie’s career and be sure to listen to a special Life’s a Pitch - on which Beat is the legend in residence - on Radio Suffolk on Saturday (midday to 2pm).
Just spoke to Beat, only just been able to get hold of him as his phone's been constantly engaged, and he thanks everyone for their good wishes. Phil.