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

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:39 - Sep 16 RIP KB, absloute bona fide legend! The best.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 15:40 - Sep 16 Unbelievably shocking and sad news. As Sir Bobby said he was one of the best players he's worked with and talent wise and considering he worked with some of the best at Barcelona, PSV and Porto that says it all. RIP big guy x
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AJblue added 15:41 - Sep 16 Very sad to hear this. What a player. Fortunate to have met this gentleman, they say its best never to meet your heroes...they are wrong. RIP big man.
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Stato added 15:42 - Sep 16 Remember him coming on as a sub out in Moscow in minus something with most of our players wearing gloves and stockings. He took off his tracksuit top and run on in a short sleeved shirt. Even the russians were thinking WTF. #legend
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J45 added 15:42 - Sep 16 Thankyou for playing a massive part in making Ipswich town the football club I have to support today. Things could be a lot worse without people like the beat in our history. Never got see him play sadly. Thankyou. RIP
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Mcarthyout added 15:44 - Sep 16 RIP ledgend
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arc added 15:44 - Sep 16 Oh no. Condolences to his family. RIP.
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joolsg100 added 15:45 - Sep 16 Very Sad day... Such an ITFC Legend and Ipswich through & through.... my thoughts go to his family ☹☹☹
4

Steelmonkey added 15:46 - Sep 16 My favourite town player of all time, it's a very sad day. RIP THE BEAT. My sincerest condolences to his family.
4

skankerman added 15:48 - Sep 16 RIP Kevin genuine legend Met him once a few years ago and thanked him for my childhood memories. A very sad day for our club and his family
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BlueArrow added 15:48 - Sep 16 So sad to hear the passing of a true blue legend. RIP Kevin thanks for the memories.
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Keno added 15:49 - Sep 16 Sad day. Thoughts go his family Thanks for the memories Beat
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Carrotblue added 15:49 - Sep 16 Gutted life sometimes is not fair if fit would have Been capped over 100 times RIP big man
4

Swn98 added 15:50 - Sep 16 RIP Beats had great times in the Belstead arms and Ipswich dogs.
3

BerlinBlue added 15:50 - Sep 16 RIP Kevin. An exceptionally talented legend of our great football club. You won't be forgotten.
3

trueblues78 added 15:52 - Sep 16 Gutted. A legend on and off the Pitch. Rest in peace Beat.
2

markyatetractor added 15:53 - Sep 16 This so so sad .Listened to him on Life's a Pitch yesterday and he sounded in top form. I had the honour of selling him a 3 pce suit for his wedding all those years ago and struck me as a very decent guy. If i remember correctly he scored a bullet header for England, rising above everyone to power the ball in the net. RIP to one of the best ever.:-(
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LegendofthePhoenix added 15:54 - Sep 16 OMG, what a terribly sad day. I used to love travelling to PR with my Dad and my brother in the 70s, listening to the team news to hear if Kevin Bettie was in the team. If Kevin was playing, you knew we would be unbeatable. Surely King Keving was the greatest ever in Town shirt, he was just unstoppable. Quickest player I have ever seen. If we got a free kick in our own half even level with our 18 yard box, Trevor Whymark would be up in the attacking box knowing that the Beat could put the ball on his head. If you never go to see him play, you can't understand how complete a player KB was. And a true gent who spent so much time in the community, and talking to me at a fete in Leiston. Thanks for the memories Kevin, in an overhyped world, you were a true legend. Rest in Peace.

9

CraigEdwards added 15:55 - Sep 16 The great player ever to wear the blue shirt. The big man had blue blood and will never been seen again . Rest in peace buddy x
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floyd67 added 15:57 - Sep 16 One our best ever 😥
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blue75 added 15:58 - Sep 16 A sad day for ITFC
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oldbri added 15:58 - Sep 16 RIP top man. Taken way to early.
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andygizmo added 16:01 - Sep 16 With today's modern medicine he would have played far more games and have recognised as the truly great player he was. So sad to lose him and my thoughts are with his wife Margaret and family
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WoodfordTim added 16:04 - Sep 16 Very sad to read the news. Taken too early. Remember well the central defensive partnership with Big Al that Sir Bobby called, "bacon & eggs". A powerhouse of a player and was compared to the great Duncan Edwards. Will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family.
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TrickyTaricco added 16:04 - Sep 16 RIP Kev. I grew up on Chantry and Kev's house backed onto Stonelodge park. We were having a kickabout on a few occasions and he climbed the wall at the back of his garden and joined us lads in a game. True gentleman and an absolute legend
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