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

RegencyBlue added 16:06 - Sep 16 Legend is an over used word these days but not in this case. The man was a colossus. RIP
9

cornishblu added 16:06 - Sep 16 Puts a few dodgy results into proper perspective . True legend who entertained thousands Ipswich through and through
9

martin587 added 16:06 - Sep 16 How tragic and a very sad day for everybody connected to our great club.My sincerest condolences to all of his family.
3

CornardBlue added 16:07 - Sep 16 This is shattering news really sad, Beat was the best Town player ever by a mile a true legend. God bless big man, thoughts with your family.
4

H1960 added 16:07 - Sep 16 R.I.P Kevin I had the privilege of watching you play from the start of your career, sadly hampered by too many injuries.......ITFC Legend
5

BraveDave added 16:08 - Sep 16 Terrible terrible news. If he had avoided injuries, he would have been considered one of England's greatest ever players. Think of all the fantastic players that have graced Portman Road - he was the best. What a sad day. Kevin Beattie walks on water!
6

Cakeman added 16:09 - Sep 16 All been said really. Very sad and and a great player. Always had the club at heart. PS very sorry trueblues78 my fat finger hit the down arrow by mistake.
3

Bluearmy71 added 16:09 - Sep 16 R.I.P Kevin Beattie, In a modern world where words are twisted and given to those people who just score a goal and who are so undeserving of the label given, look up the mean of the word "LEGEND" and you will see today that we have lost a true one in the proper sense of the word! Thank you Beat, sleep well!
5

Chocorange added 16:09 - Sep 16 RIP Kevin. Thankyou for the memories! Gutted you have been taken too soon
2

DebsyAngel added 16:10 - Sep 16 Terrible news. RIP Kevin, a true ITFC legend.
2

StavangerBlue added 16:12 - Sep 16 Shocked. Lost for words. Gutted. Legend.
2

bluemike1969 added 16:12 - Sep 16 God bless you big man. My fondest memory of you is lobbing the keeper from the half way line and saying 'thank you' when it went in. A sad day for all involved with ITFC. My sincere condolences go to his family. R.I.P Kevin. Bet you're already having a joke and a laugh with Sir Bobby. Xxx
5

jonwillpott added 16:13 - Sep 16 So very sad....a true legend indeed. RIP Kevin
2

dangerous30 added 16:17 - Sep 16 RIP Kevin
1

Shotleytractor added 16:18 - Sep 16 Really sad, RIP Kevin. A true blue legend. Dad says thanks for the memories.
1

TractorJed added 16:18 - Sep 16 Grew up watching this Legend grace Portman Road. RIP Beat
1

runaround added 16:19 - Sep 16 RIP Kev, The Beat Very sad news & my thoughts are with his family & friends. I really hope the club can do something to help givhim a great send off
3

brightonbluegirl added 16:19 - Sep 16 Truly a sad day. Rest in peace The Beat
2

Vancouver_Blue added 16:21 - Sep 16 One of the saddest days ever. Fantastic player and one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet. His career finished way too early and.now his life. RIP Beat
2

colonel added 16:21 - Sep 16 RIP Kevin - A true legend & blue through & through. Thank you for everything you did for ITFC.
2

howdonblue added 16:21 - Sep 16 RIP THE BEAT Thank you
2

MonkeysChuff added 16:21 - Sep 16 RIP Beat. A fantastic player, definitely in the top 3 of ITFC players ever.
2

Bluebell added 16:22 - Sep 16 What dreadful news. I treasure the photo I had taken with him. Loved listening to him on Life's a Pitch. An amazing footballer and a great man. 64 is no age at all. RIP Kevin.
2

62WasBest added 16:22 - Sep 16 What a shock! People are saying that he was the greatest footballer to ever wear a Town shirt. I'd go further than that. For me he was the greatest all-round footballer I have ever seen. I doubt there is any position in which he could not play, and he had pace, acceleration, skill, strength, stamina, awareness, tackling ability, was one of the finest headers of a ball, huge passion and above all played for the love of it.

3

alfromcol added 16:23 - Sep 16 A sad day for all involved with ITFC. Condolences go to his family. RIP The Beat
2

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