By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 07:50 - Nov 10 by homer_123
We are getting to that point Keno, where many a fan will never know just how good those players and those teams were under Robson.
They now hold almost mythical status.
I know Homey its sad, and little scary.
I'm not sure younger fans can really appreciate just how good those 70''s and early 80's teams were. I have the privilege of standing on the North Stand (I miss that old terrace) and watching the team develop.
I only saw him play once. And that was in a testimonial match after he had retired. May have been for Ron Gray but I can't be certain.
Even I feel robbed of seeing the great man properly. When you consider his age when he packed in, he could have still been turning out as we ticked over into the 90s.
I feel sorry fir our younger Town fans thst they never saw this collossus of a player in a Town shirt. He was absolutely awesome and truly magnificent in full stride!
He rarely fouled a player when steaming in to take the ball off them. I was at the Everton FACup game ...he jumped for the ball at a corner and was ABOVE the cross bar. If you think Delap has a powerful shot on him ( he does), The Beat was more powerful. It was a magnificent sight to see him run the length of the pitch with the ball with opposition players literally bouncing off him, only for him to thunder in a goal from 20 yards. You young uns have realy missed a proper legend.
I only saw him play once. And that was in a testimonial match after he had retired. May have been for Ron Gray but I can't be certain.
Even I feel robbed of seeing the great man properly. When you consider his age when he packed in, he could have still been turning out as we ticked over into the 90s.
Who was it who wrote ‘ I still dream of Kevin Beattie chasing down Maradonna, while Terry Fenwick is driving a bus’. He’d have been 31 in 86’.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 11:40 - Nov 10 by Bluespeed225
Who was it who wrote ‘ I still dream of Kevin Beattie chasing down Maradonna, while Terry Fenwick is driving a bus’. He’d have been 31 in 86’.
Crazy innit. I didn't pay too much attention to ages back then because to me, everyone was older. But I probably would have had Beattie in the 39-43 age group around that time. Such a sad waste.
Pretty sure he was turning out for Harwich & Parkeston at that point.
he was everything people say about him and more. So much power and athleticism. Strongest, fastest sprinter, highest jumper at the club. Had it all. Yet his career as a first choice regular was over at 25, Robson could not rely on him any more. Such a shame. See him around, there was always a smile or a grin for you. Not like the too cool to smile footballers nowadays. Different era.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 07:50 - Nov 10 by homer_123
We are getting to that point Keno, where many a fan will never know just how good those players and those teams were under Robson.
They now hold almost mythical status.
I was at Old Trafford for KB's debut, and a glorious 2-1 victory to start the 72/73 season. He was only 18!
Imagine that now, giving an 18 year old his debut at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season! Beattie was superb - the whole team were.
Our supporters club coach was stoned by irate Utd fans and had a great crack across the front window for the journey back to Ipswich.
We knew seeing that team that something really big was building. We won the Texaco Cup that season, thousands of us were on the pitch at Carrot rd whilst Mick Mills and the players were held aloft with the cup. What times. And we qualified for the UEFA cup for the first time. I know that team was eventually surpassed by the UEFA cup winning team with the dutchmen, but that is the season it all began. I feel so blessed to have been at so many of those games.
I was at Old Trafford for KB's debut, and a glorious 2-1 victory to start the 72/73 season. He was only 18!
Imagine that now, giving an 18 year old his debut at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season! Beattie was superb - the whole team were.
Our supporters club coach was stoned by irate Utd fans and had a great crack across the front window for the journey back to Ipswich.
We knew seeing that team that something really big was building. We won the Texaco Cup that season, thousands of us were on the pitch at Carrot rd whilst Mick Mills and the players were held aloft with the cup. What times. And we qualified for the UEFA cup for the first time. I know that team was eventually surpassed by the UEFA cup winning team with the dutchmen, but that is the season it all began. I feel so blessed to have been at so many of those games.
[Post edited 10 Nov 14:42]
Was at carrot rood for that Texaco final. Got absolutely soaked to the skin on the frog march from the station... Had indigo coloured legs by the time Id got home as had a brand new pair of Levi jeans on that day ...shrunk wrapped to me by the end of the game ... helluva job to peel em off that night!... Clambered over the sh11ty wooden seats hollering 2Bobby, Bobby" as he held the cup aloft . He turned and smiled at me and I was about 5 ft from him.. then couldn't think of anything else to say ... emotion got the better of me ... what an occasion that was.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 14:30 - Nov 10 by mellowblue
he was everything people say about him and more. So much power and athleticism. Strongest, fastest sprinter, highest jumper at the club. Had it all. Yet his career as a first choice regular was over at 25, Robson could not rely on him any more. Such a shame. See him around, there was always a smile or a grin for you. Not like the too cool to smile footballers nowadays. Different era.
Unfortunately, Beattie was probably a little too brave for his own good, a bit like Chelsea's Ian Hutchinson. After his 3rd season, he never played a full season after a series of injuries & I think the knee injury he sustained in 1977 was the beginning of the end. After a cartilage operation, he was regularly patched up & given cortisone injections, like many players of his era. I was there when he broke John Ritchie's leg at PR in 1974. Beattie slightly miscontrolled the ball, giving Ritchie the opportunity for a tackle & Beattie thundered in, winning the ball but breaking Ritchie's leg. An unfortunate but horrible moment as it was immediately obvious from Ritchie's lack of movement what had happened. Still a fit & young Beattie was probably the best player I saw in a Town shirt. Unfortunately, his international career never quite took off, partly because he absconded from a U23 trip to see his father in Carlisle & partly because Revie didn't know what to do with him, playing him at full back However, I loved his magnificent header in the 5-1 mauling of the Jocks at Wembley.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 14:51 - Nov 10 by RetroBlue
Was at carrot rood for that Texaco final. Got absolutely soaked to the skin on the frog march from the station... Had indigo coloured legs by the time Id got home as had a brand new pair of Levi jeans on that day ...shrunk wrapped to me by the end of the game ... helluva job to peel em off that night!... Clambered over the sh11ty wooden seats hollering 2Bobby, Bobby" as he held the cup aloft . He turned and smiled at me and I was about 5 ft from him.. then couldn't think of anything else to say ... emotion got the better of me ... what an occasion that was.
I was there too but there doesn't seem to be any video of the game on You Tube presumably because it wasn't televised.
I was at Old Trafford for KB's debut, and a glorious 2-1 victory to start the 72/73 season. He was only 18!
Imagine that now, giving an 18 year old his debut at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season! Beattie was superb - the whole team were.
Our supporters club coach was stoned by irate Utd fans and had a great crack across the front window for the journey back to Ipswich.
We knew seeing that team that something really big was building. We won the Texaco Cup that season, thousands of us were on the pitch at Carrot rd whilst Mick Mills and the players were held aloft with the cup. What times. And we qualified for the UEFA cup for the first time. I know that team was eventually surpassed by the UEFA cup winning team with the dutchmen, but that is the season it all began. I feel so blessed to have been at so many of those games.
[Post edited 10 Nov 14:42]
ITV's Big Match Revisited showed highlights of that match just a few weeks ago. So just from the clips I've seen for the first time I could see Beattie was awesome.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 15:10 - Nov 10 by Radlett_blue
Unfortunately, Beattie was probably a little too brave for his own good, a bit like Chelsea's Ian Hutchinson. After his 3rd season, he never played a full season after a series of injuries & I think the knee injury he sustained in 1977 was the beginning of the end. After a cartilage operation, he was regularly patched up & given cortisone injections, like many players of his era. I was there when he broke John Ritchie's leg at PR in 1974. Beattie slightly miscontrolled the ball, giving Ritchie the opportunity for a tackle & Beattie thundered in, winning the ball but breaking Ritchie's leg. An unfortunate but horrible moment as it was immediately obvious from Ritchie's lack of movement what had happened. Still a fit & young Beattie was probably the best player I saw in a Town shirt. Unfortunately, his international career never quite took off, partly because he absconded from a U23 trip to see his father in Carlisle & partly because Revie didn't know what to do with him, playing him at full back However, I loved his magnificent header in the 5-1 mauling of the Jocks at Wembley.
Played in that 5-1 beating as a marauding right back. Never was able to establish himself as a centre back for England. It was a heck of a header. The amounts of times he would be back from injury and the "Hello, hello, Beattie is back, Beattie is back" chant would be ringing round the old ground. Good memories. Twice I remember passing him on Ancaster Road as he was running to the station with a big rucksack to meet up with England. We grinned at eachother in passing. I remember him being not as tall as I expected. He looked a colossus on the pitch. One of those occasions was when he had forgotten his passport and had to return back home for it. That is Beattie all over. He lived in Ancaster Road digs in those days, the club had a deal with a local landlady who looked after the unmarried lads who were not local, Warky, Beattie, Turner, Burley etc.
My god yes, a titanic player, that would without a tiny shadow of doubt, be remembered as one of the all times greats ( anywhere ), had he been more fortunate with injuries etc. What I'd give for Hunter and Beattie today. We could forget relegation!
I was there too but there doesn't seem to be any video of the game on You Tube presumably because it wasn't televised.
But there are some photos on this.
Someone forget to book the open top bus? That is pretty cool though, probably just intended to drive to the Cornhill, and someone, probably Beattie, says ‘C’mon lads, on the top!’ Too late for Robson to say no!!
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 14:30 - Nov 10 by mellowblue
he was everything people say about him and more. So much power and athleticism. Strongest, fastest sprinter, highest jumper at the club. Had it all. Yet his career as a first choice regular was over at 25, Robson could not rely on him any more. Such a shame. See him around, there was always a smile or a grin for you. Not like the too cool to smile footballers nowadays. Different era.
I was privileged to see him play throughout his ITFC career and you are 100% right.
He was one of the very few players who if he got the ball and started to run with it, the crowd would stand a little high, the seats brigade would rise and everyone would hold their breath.
One of the best players I have ever seen in any era.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 08:27 - Nov 11 by Churchman
I was privileged to see him play throughout his ITFC career and you are 100% right.
He was one of the very few players who if he got the ball and started to run with it, the crowd would stand a little high, the seats brigade would rise and everyone would hold their breath.
One of the best players I have ever seen in any era.
An incredible player. Pace and power like no one else. But also skill and intelligence to match. He was the heartbeat of a very good team. I remember the FA Cup semi v Man City at Villa Park, we were all so optimistic that he was back from injury, then when he went off injured in the match it was as the whole energy from the crowd went with him and we ended up losing. I can’t think of one player since his time that would anywhere near match him.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 08:41 - Nov 11 by Suffolktractor
An incredible player. Pace and power like no one else. But also skill and intelligence to match. He was the heartbeat of a very good team. I remember the FA Cup semi v Man City at Villa Park, we were all so optimistic that he was back from injury, then when he went off injured in the match it was as the whole energy from the crowd went with him and we ended up losing. I can’t think of one player since his time that would anywhere near match him.
I remember him playing as right back that day. To be honest we might have been better off with Steve Mccall there as he had performed so well there all season. especially at that stage in Kev's career. He broke his arm, which was different injury for him. We did not take advantage of early chances and got worse the longer the match went on. Beattie going off was like losing your luck talisman. It was no surprise tp anyone when Power scored. We had had the UEFA semi three days earlier, so fatigue must have been an issue.
It was arthritis in the knee that did for him. Modern medicine would have helped but unfortunately all they had then was steroids. A fit Beattie would have played 100 times for England no question. We were privaledged.
It was arthritis in the knee that did for him. Modern medicine would have helped but unfortunately all they had then was steroids. A fit Beattie would have played 100 times for England no question. We were privaledged.
Quite a few 70s players struggled with arthritis in later life. Tough game in those days, hard challenges, poor pitches. Knee injuries were treated with cortisone injections which allowed them to be rushed back before the injuries were in fact healed. The cortisone over time broke down soft material like cartilage in the knee to an extent that eventually there was bone on bone contact in the knee and inevitably, arthritis. The strength training exercises were also very hard on knees. Thankfully care of players injuries has improved massively since those days and the training is si much more scientific now. 5 knee operations in 4 years tells it's own story for Beattie.
I've said on here before that Bobby Robson said that Brazilian Ronaldo was the second best player he managed. In the context of this thread it is obvious who he rated the most highly of all.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 16:32 - Nov 10 by mellowblue
Played in that 5-1 beating as a marauding right back. Never was able to establish himself as a centre back for England. It was a heck of a header. The amounts of times he would be back from injury and the "Hello, hello, Beattie is back, Beattie is back" chant would be ringing round the old ground. Good memories. Twice I remember passing him on Ancaster Road as he was running to the station with a big rucksack to meet up with England. We grinned at eachother in passing. I remember him being not as tall as I expected. He looked a colossus on the pitch. One of those occasions was when he had forgotten his passport and had to return back home for it. That is Beattie all over. He lived in Ancaster Road digs in those days, the club had a deal with a local landlady who looked after the unmarried lads who were not local, Warky, Beattie, Turner, Burley etc.
Kevin Beattie - Legend on 07:50 - Nov 10 by homer_123
We are getting to that point Keno, where many a fan will never know just how good those players and those teams were under Robson.
They now hold almost mythical status.
I am only 41 (ha only) and they already have that with me. The only player from then I have seen play in the flesh was Wark (and I am sure Burley during Milton's testimonial). Before I saw my first Town game, I had seen Wark play for us on TV, and tape, knew the legend, the lore from my Father and older brother, we were once a top side, as good as Arsenal, Liverpool, Manure, and Wark was one of the greatest players to have ever played. I was beyond excited to see him in the flesh and when Burley was appointed here I knew all about him as well.
I have since met many of the legends in the flesh and it very much feels like a Christian being able to interact directly with the disciples , even though some of them I have met multiple times, that feeling has not changed and never will. I wish when I were a kid the club had made more use of many of these guys like they sometimes do in the fanzone now.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
