Kevin Beattie, widely viewed as the greatest player in Town’s history, died in the early hours of this morning, aged 64. The former England international centre-half suffered a suspected heart attack in his sleep.

Carlisle-born Beattie joined the club as a 15-year-old in 1970 - having almost joined Liverpool - and came through the youth ranks at Portman Road, making his debut at Manchester United in August 1972.

He won the 1973/74 PFA Young Player of the Year award and was in the Town team which was victorious in the 1978 FA Cup final. He missed the final of the 1981 UEFA Cup final but was later given a medal in 2008.

Injuries limited his England career to only nine caps, scoring one goal, and also curtailed his Blues career which ended in December 1981 after 296 starts plus 11 as sub and 32 goals.

He subsequently represented Colchester, Middlesbrough, Harwich and Parkeston, Sandvikens in Sweden, Kongsberg IF and Nybergsund IL-Trysil in Norway, and Clacton Town.

Following his career, Beattie continued to live in Chantry and was a full-time carer for his wife Maggie, who was diagnosed with MS in the 1990s and with whom he had three daughters.

In March 1991 he was seriously ill with pancreatitis but made a recovery, despite a priest having administered the last rites.

For the last few years Beattie has been the legend-in-residence on BBC Suffolk’s weekly pre-match, Life’s a Pitch, and made his final appearance on yesterday's show.

Town will hold a minute's applause prior to Tuesday's game against Brentford at Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboybig added 15:25 - Sep 16 sad day
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Kropotkin123 added 15:25 - Sep 16 wow. Did not expect to read this today. RIP
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Ipswich_Sniffer added 15:26 - Sep 16 RIP Big Man
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trncbluearmy added 15:27 - Sep 16 What a bloody awful weekend RIP Kev Part of me went with you COYB
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Freddies_Ears added 15:27 - Sep 16 Rest in peace, Monster.
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Vic added 15:27 - Sep 16 :(
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Moisha added 15:28 - Sep 16 Nooooooo.... RIP The Beat Would have been the most expensive defender in this day and age!!
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ArnieM added 15:28 - Sep 16 THE BEAT -ITFC “ He eyes, they shine like Diamonds, They call him the King of the Land, And there stood Kevin Beattie, Born with the Cup in his hands” Forever in our Hearts. A Blue to the Core King, Kevin Beattie - R.I.P.
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Kirbmeister added 15:29 - Sep 16 I was privileged to have watched Kevin numerous times and there's no doubt he was the best ever town player. There's a few clips of him on YouTube (not enough sadly) so if you never saw him play watch those to see what a powerhouse he was. Had everything, pace, power, could kick with either foot and I've never seen anyone who could jump so high to head a ball. RIP Kevin a true legend.

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Guthrum added 15:29 - Sep 16 Very sad news.
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Bob7881 added 15:30 - Sep 16 Rip Kevin
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brendenward35 added 15:30 - Sep 16 Absolute legend sad day for all ITFC supporters. Rip Kevin and my deepest sympathy to all your family and friends
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PJH added 15:31 - Sep 16 Tragic. The greatest allround footballer that I have been lucky enough to see play. Few players really deserve to be called a Legend but that man does. This has hit me the same as the passing of Sir Bobby did. RIP The Beat.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 15:31 - Sep 16 So sad to hear this, an incredible defender in his day, a true ITFC legend 🔵⚪️ RIP Beat
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BlueBlood90 added 15:31 - Sep 16 A true Ipswich Town legend. RIP Kevin.
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Northstandveteran added 15:32 - Sep 16 Oh my goodness, what terrible news. R.I.P The Beat 😢
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Brownie added 15:33 - Sep 16 Our best player ever bar none. Even Sir Bobby said so. Legend - condolences to his friends & family.
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roysboys added 15:35 - Sep 16 What a player. A true Ipswich Legend. I will always remember bumping into him and Eric Gates in Texas Homecare in Hadleigh.
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Blueboys_1970 added 15:36 - Sep 16 Shocking news R.I.P big man, thanks for all the memories.
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warktheline added 15:36 - Sep 16 Oh my! The best of the best so he was. Thanks for my childhood memories, they were the greatest times ever!
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Reuserscurtains added 15:36 - Sep 16 RIP. Legend
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Blue56 added 15:38 - Sep 16 Ipswich's greatest ever player, such sad news, so many good memories, R.I.P Kevin
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BluJu added 15:38 - Sep 16 Absolutely gutted. That's such a sad loss.
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PortmanTerrorist added 15:39 - Sep 16 I once had the chance and honour to ask Sir Bobby if The Beat was really in the top 3 players he had ever coached alongside Ronaldo (Mk1) and Romario. Sir Bobby said he was not just in the top 3 but he was the best.....it was just that apparently his head would be swollen enough with top 3 ! I will go with Sir Bobby; best defender, midfielder and striker we had in the 70s. R.I.P The Beat Sad sad day. Expect a HUGE reaction on Tuesday.....ALL stands !

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muccletonjoe added 15:39 - Sep 16 Just totally devastated. What a fantastic player. Gutted, totally gutted.
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