Blues Legend Beattie Celebrates His 60th Birthday
Wednesday, 18th Dec 2013 10:32

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.

Photo: Action Images

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chunkymunky added 10:42 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday 'The Beat' Great, Great player who I had the pleasure of watching on many occasion, enjoy your day fella.
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ericclacton added 10:43 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Legend.
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1RWR added 10:45 - Dec 18 Just one word sums Kev up.......LEGEND! Happy Birthday fella!
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bluemingood added 10:49 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Kevin. Main memories for me are the free kick at home in the uefa cup that nearly broke the net, hardest shot I have ever witnessed. And the numerous times that you drove out of defense like Mike Tyson with the ball at your feet and the opposition midfield and defense parting like the Red Sea in front of you. Thank you so much.
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CavendishBlue added 10:51 - Dec 18 Astonished you've made it!!! Enjoy your bass pass!!!!
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tractorfromongar added 10:52 - Dec 18 Best birthday wishes Kevin - have a smashing day.
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wokingblue added 11:02 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Beat ........................ thanks for the memories!
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PavlovsCat added 11:04 - Dec 18 Many congrats 'Tank'. Best defender I've ever had the pleasure to watch.
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TopBanana added 11:07 - Dec 18 First match at PR - May 1975 vs West Ham - The Beat scores a wonder goal, picks the ball up inside our half, beats half their team and smashes it in - what a legend. Have a great day Beat - thanks for the memories. Will never forget your short sleeve shirts on freezing nights in Europe!
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BlueSwede added 11:12 - Dec 18 This is the one thing that made me register here. Congratulations to a true blue legend - one of the really great players in clubhistory.
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bluelodgeblue added 11:21 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Kev! Had the pleasure of witnessing you scare the pants off the opposition on many occasions. What it would be if we could discover another diamond like you now. Awesome player! Have a great day.
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toxtethblue added 11:25 - Dec 18 Happy birthday Kev. I never saw you play, I'm too young but I have seen enough on dvd highlights to see what a colossal player for the Town you were. Sir Bobby's comments above stand as testimony to that. Have a great day.
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TR11BLU added 11:27 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday fellow Saggitarian, who along with 'Big Al', formed a partnership that was the envy of the First Division and ensured many happy memories for a lifetime. What a team I grew up watching, thanks for so many happy saturdays. Favourite moment of yours, the run and thunping goal against WBA in the 7-0!
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HarareNige added 11:42 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Kev. So many good memories of you playing. Best memory was goal for England. You started and ended the move.
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TimmyH added 11:45 - Dec 18 Best player England never had! - god we could do with some more like him.
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fatuncle added 11:56 - Dec 18 Best defender I have had the pleasure to watch awesome had it all!
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KBsSocks added 11:59 - Dec 18 Happy Day - from your socks ! ;-)
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Berts_chin added 12:03 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Beat. True Legend. Those Were The Days! We Town fans were spoilt watching you. What would you be worth on the transfer market today?
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Thai_Blue added 12:16 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Beat. I remember turning to my dad and telling him that you were ten times better than Cryuff when we beat Barcalona 3-0 at Portman Rd. What great days they were!!
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Thai_Blue added 12:18 - Dec 18 OOPS Barcelona
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62WasBest added 12:22 - Dec 18 Best all-round footballer I have ever seen in the flesh. Reckon you could have played him anywhere on the pitch as he had all the attributes, and always gave maximum effort too. Shame he didn't have a longer career with England. Have a great birthday and thanks for so many happy footballing memories. A privilege to have watched the Ipswich teams he was in.
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