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

Daleyitfc added 17:01 - Sep 16 Terrible news : last time we saw him in CMS (not actually called that for years, but he and I both referred to it by that name) he was as friendly and chatty as ever, still very happy to be living on Chantry as he had done for most of his time in Ipswich, and he was buying himself ... a packet of fags and a 4-pack of lager! (even though he'd managed to pick up a duff pack with only 3 tins in it). That's a proper legend for you. R.I.P. : the best, ever.

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WirralBlue added 17:01 - Sep 16 The best player I have seen live in the blue shirt of Ipswich. RIP Kevin
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senduntd added 17:02 - Sep 16 That really upset me, have to admit I shed a few tears. He gave me so much pleasure
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jas0999 added 17:03 - Sep 16 Very sad news. Sending best wishes to his family and friends. Playing in today's football KB would have been worth £70M and on £200K a week! RIP. Legend.
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ConeyBlue added 17:06 - Sep 16 I am truly devastated, Kevin Beattie was one of the main reasons I got hooked on supporting Ipswich, he was truly a Legend. Undoubtedly the best player ever to pull on an Ipswich shirt. I agree with others that we should name one of the stands after him. RIP Kevin.
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Lineoutking added 17:07 - Sep 16 Not only the greatest player to have ever worn a town shirt but arguably the greatest ever English central defender. World class in the truest sense of the words. RIP
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StowTractorBoy added 17:07 - Sep 16 This is so very sad. As others have said he was Ipswich Town through and through and would not have a bad word said about them. He always predicted we would win bless him. As others have said The Beat was a majestic centre back and his partnership with Allan Hunter in the centre of our back line will never be bettered. My Sunday team came up against The Beat in Stowmarket in his 'retirement' days and in defeat he was a true gent wishing us all the best. A wonderful footballer and a real Ipswich Town legend. Lets win for him on Tuesday. RIP Kevin.

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BigscarfAl added 17:13 - Sep 16 Sad sad to hear this news, I saw his debut at old Trafford, England debut and Most of the games he played in for ITFC . Thanks for the great memories a true Legend. Condolences to the family and friends. RIP.
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itfc58 added 17:16 - Sep 16 Rest in peace true ITFC legend. We need to start a campaign to retire the number 6 shirt in his honour. We can't leave it to Evans because he hasn't got a clue about our club and our proud history. Retire the Beats shirt now !!!
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itfc58 added 17:19 - Sep 16 A true ITFC legend gave me so much pleasure. Please Marcus Evans show the man some respect and let the club retire the number 6 shirt in honour of probably our greatest player ever !!!
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Barhamblue added 17:24 - Sep 16 Undoubtably ITFCs best ever player. RIP Beats, thoughts with your family.
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AbujaBlue added 17:25 - Sep 16 Before my time when wearing the shirt but huge respect. RIP.
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GrimReaper66 added 17:29 - Sep 16 I can't believe this. Kevin Beattie was my hero growing up and I still loved listening to him on 'Life's a Pitch'. A genuine, honest man who had blue blood running through his veins. You will be missed Kevin.....'most definitely mate'. RIP. Thoughts to your family x
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grumpyoldman added 17:34 - Sep 16 One of my greatest memories was our first UEFA cup match against mighty Real Madrid, we were not given a chance. Up steps Kevin Beattie and hammers in a free kick from thirty yards. Those really were the days. Another hero passed away. RIP you wonderful man
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muhrensweet4thijssen added 17:34 - Sep 16 What a player. He was the greatest player to grace our pitch. Have read both his books, a very interesting read. He said Sir Bobby drove him home himself after the 81 FA cup semi final, his arm in a sling. They both knew it was the end of the Beat and they were both holding back the tears RIP you legend. Best wishes to his family at this sad sad time
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Alfiesboys added 17:38 - Sep 16 So sad what a legend....
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Millsey added 17:41 - Sep 16 Unbelievable, my Mum last week now one of my heroes passing 😔
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midastouch added 17:41 - Sep 16 Gutted by this! What a brilliant player Beattie was. I recall in one of Bobby Robson's books he said that Kevin Beattie was one of the greatest players he had ever worked with. He specifically picked out Beattie and Ronaldo (from Brazil) as the best two players he had ever worked with. When you consider all the great players to have played under Robson that really sums up what a great player Beattie was in his prime. Very sad news indeed. Really hope the team can give it their all Tuesday night to honour one of our greats.

4

westernblue added 17:43 - Sep 16 Awful news. Kevin was such a great defender, and a lovely man. Puts all the recent threads on here in perspective. R.I.P. mate.
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Bob7881 added 17:44 - Sep 16 A great memory of kevin is at the top of his game injury free playing for Ipswich and England as kids we would knock on his door on a sunday afternoon get his autograpgh on the matchday programme and then he would come have kick about on Stonelodge park. A truly great player but a truly nice man who had time for kids when he was a superstar. The great Bill Shankly said not getting someone to meet Kevin Beattie at liverpool train Station as a young player was his biggest regret in football that gives a measure of how good Kevin was. RIP Kevin a true ITFC legend.

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Woodbridgian added 17:45 - Sep 16 Everybody who claims to be an ITFC supporter needs to be at PR on Tuesday to give appreciation to one of our greatest players, even if you don't support the current situation you need be be there. If it's not a full house then shame on you.
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BotesdaleBlue added 17:47 - Sep 16 I am so taken aback to hear this news. I was lucky enough to see him play in the 70's when I was a lad. Rest in Peace Kevin and thank you for everything you did for my beloved club.
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bluemike1969 added 17:47 - Sep 16 I have posted my condolences earlier and now it's time to unite. We forget our differences and disagreements over the past few hours after yesterday. We are Ipswich and we remember our own in the only way the Beat would want. We get behind the team from the first minute and we make him proud. Kevin loved this club and we the supporters owe it to him to lift the players to our first victory and then beyond. Wear the blue and white with pride on Tuesday night and we unite as one for our club. I feel embarrassed to have bickered with others on here last night but we must put aside our differences and become one for The Beat. One of our own taken too soon. We are Ipswich and we will never forget.

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itsonlyme added 17:51 - Sep 16 Wow, just heard. He was my all time favourite player who was a true legend. Had the pleasure of watching him play for the greatest manager and the greatest times in our history. The weekend just got worse. RIP legend.
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chepstowblue added 17:56 - Sep 16 Desperately sad news. Only 5ft 10 but an absolute colossus who made such an impression on me in 1974 when at the age of 8 I became Chepstow's first (but not only) Ipswich fan. A huge part of those heady days in the mid/late 70s, early 80s that will forever remain vivid in my memories. RIP.
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