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

itsonlyme added 17:16 - Dec 18 Legend is not a strong enough word! Along with Sir Bobby, Kevin is synonimous with this club. No one will ever come near to breaking the hold he has on the title of the Greatest Ever ITFC Player. Many, Many happy returns King Kev! I can say I have had the priveledge to see him play for the Super Blues. I was at that Everton game when he scored. He rose mightily high but a shame we were already 2 down by then. Never the less, what a player.

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TrueBlueFerret added 18:23 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday BEAT, A TRUE LEGEND&TOP MAN............
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blueboy1981 added 18:46 - Dec 18 LEGEND - and a Great Guy too. Warts an' all - the man is the Best, and always will be.
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blueboy1981 added 18:53 - Dec 18 ...... enjoy the applause Beat - you deserve it all. Genuinely respected and loved by us ALL.
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Wickets added 19:04 - Dec 18 The Greatest player i have ever seen and i'm older then him and seen most of them. Happy birthday beat, thanks for the memories. Mind that chip pan!!!
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KBsSocks added 19:06 - Dec 18 One of my favourite memories was when there was something going on off the ball, and The Beat sat on it whilst waiting for whatever it was to get sorted. Play was to resume from the freekick , but the ball was no longer round ... it bobbled most disconcertingly. In those days, there was only one match ball, and it took a while to find a round replacement ! Anybody remember the match (it was sunny!). Birthday Greetings in any case :-D

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Tufty added 19:07 - Dec 18 May you have many more birthdays, I hope you feel the love respect and adoration every single blues fan has for you, Happiest of birthdays Kevin
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Marcus added 19:10 - Dec 18 I met him once briefly in a hotel bar in Derby. He came across as a gentleman and I froze when I really wanted to chat. Never got the chance as I was hosting an Indonesian student who had gone to his first ever match and didn't get the opportunity to hang around. Rewind the clock and I would have said - of course I know who you are. A legend doesn't need to introduce themself. I did briefly speak to him when I called in to life's a pitch recently but that's not the same.

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Northseablue added 19:31 - Dec 18 Simply the best a privilege to have watched and met him
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grumpyoldman added 19:35 - Dec 18 My favourite memory of the Beat was watching him playing for England against Scotland , they had a corner, Kevin Keegan broke down the right and crossed for the Beat to head in, after running the entire length of the field out sprinting all the England players ahead of him
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68blue added 20:15 - Dec 18 Happy Birthday Kevin Greatest player that has graced Portman Rd in the 45 years I have been watching the Town
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cornishblu added 20:23 - Dec 18 If Bobby Robson rated him Nuff said....to a legend happy birthday....so many now couldn't even tie your shoelaces but get such greater rewards ...happy to say they will never entertain us as much as you did......great memories...thank you
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stokeholyted added 21:08 - Dec 18 Thanks for the great memories. Have a good one and many more.
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BlueTractor52 added 23:41 - Dec 18 Kevin Beattie was a wonderful player. I saw him first in a pre season friendly away at Luton. I sat in front of Bobby Robson. Throughout the game Robson kept repeating how wonderful he was, but why won't he cut his hair. Time dims the memory,but as I recall Kevin scored a header from the half way line away against QPR. It was the night Tommy Docherty was appointed Manager at Half time. Kevin as I remember headed back the goal keepers drop kick. Can Kevin confirm my memory. Thank you so much Kevin for the pleasure you have given so many people. Blue tractor 52

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Strikes added 13:30 - Dec 19 It was 1982 when I saw a huge man wearing a number six Town shirt at Peachey's newsagents on Ellenbrook Green. My mum pointed out that this was Kevin Beattie. I was in awe. Happy birthday Beat
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Pendejo added 13:41 - Dec 19 Happy Birthday LEGEND A few memories.... V Leeds (79?) scoring a free kick from close to the half way line V Bohemians Prague (80/81) came on as a sub for 2 goal Wark and smashed in a freekick with 1st touch from TV / Video The goals against West Ham & WBA where ball was picked up in own half and opposition bouncing off him before he smashes 'em in.
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chippyblue added 14:52 - Dec 19 Happy birthday Kevin "" there will never be another beat " !!!!!
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itfchorry added 17:11 - Dec 19 After the Play Off Final - We saw the Beat On the Balcony by the Twin Towers - About 200 of us singing - His eyes they shine like diamonds They call him the King of the land His name is Kevin Beattie with the FA Cup in his hand ! Happy Days and Happy Birthday
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Pendejo added 11:49 - Dec 21 Need to add.... THAT towering header Wembley 1975 v Scotland. what was the left back doing in the centre forward's position? the beat goes on
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