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

rodthegasman added 21:01 - Sep 16 R. I. P big man you were a legend.never to be forgotten.cant believe your gone.bobby robson will welcome you into his. Team .top man
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scotdoc added 21:07 - Sep 16 Was introduced to him in the Belsead, Think he was bemused by my Scottish ITFC knowledge-I was 20 yo to be fair. Wonderful man. Sad but happy memories .
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portman_blue added 21:10 - Sep 16 RIP Kev. Fantastic player
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Bob7881 added 21:11 - Sep 16 I was lucky to get to know my hero and he didnt let me down he was a top man, i once asked him if he was jealous of what todays footballer earns his answer was i got well paid at the time playing the game i love. For all the young town fans out there injury wrecked his career if he stayed injury free he would of been one of Englands most capped players and to be honest he could of played for any giant in europe thats how good he was. not many players from the past could compete in the modern game but Kevin was a supreme athelete how would grace the premiership and champions league today. Such a sad day for his family our club and fans we have lost a true legend. Personally i celebrate the life of a great footballer who left town fans in awe of his ability on top of that i got to know a really nice guy. Luv you kev RIP.

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Jonnosdreadlocks added 21:15 - Sep 16 Completes a terrible weekend for ITFC. Gutted. The Beat was incredible and was lucky enough to have seen him play live when I was a young kid and even met him several times in later life. A fantastic guy and true Ipswich giant. God bless ya Kevin Beattie, we salute you.
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Michael101 added 21:23 - Sep 16 What a loss ,if players like Maynard ,Hansard and the like could watch a MAN like Kevin they would hang there head in shame nightmare antics,what a player what a man RIP
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Michael101 added 21:27 - Sep 16 Darn thi g ment to say ha zzard,Bryant and the like cheating lowlifes
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Normandyblue added 21:39 - Sep 16 https://mobile.twitter.com/IpswichTownTalk/status/779640015752163328/video/1
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Bob7881 added 21:46 - Sep 16 Manchester united had Duncan Edwards West Ham had Bobby Moore ITFC had Kevin Beattie three of the greats of the English game ask any pundit player or manager from the Beats era they will tell you he was a class act.
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jimbo67 added 21:52 - Sep 16 I had great pleasure as a youngster watching such a true ITFC legend I sadly heard the news at 7pm tonight after bowling all day and I am so so sad to hear this news an absolute scholar and a gentleman R.I.P. big man you will be so missed
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Lightningboy added 22:12 - Sep 16 Good grief..only just seen this. RIP Kev 😔💙 #ITFC Legend
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camblue added 22:12 - Sep 16 What a player he was. A true legend of a once great club.
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Gogs added 22:19 - Sep 16 Gutted, absolutely gutted. An ITFC legend has passed. RIP The Beat
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westozblu added 22:24 - Sep 16 The greatest player ever to wear the blue shirt. Injury robbed him of being lauded as one of the greatest of all time on so many levels. Watched him at his peak - we loved him. RIP Kev
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tractorollson added 22:58 - Sep 16 Not going to lie I genuinely shed a tear today when I heard about Kevin Beattie. Football was better for knowing him. We have lost a legend I hope we celebrate his wonderful career. Thoughts are with his family #itfc #KevinBeattie
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PulhamBlue added 23:17 - Sep 16 RIP Kevin "The Tank" Beatty... That's how he was referred to in the early/mid 70s by our crowd. What a player. What a legend. Condolences to his nearest and dearest...
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brittaniaman added 23:28 - Sep 16 I have known Kevin since he was a 16yr. old, so sad to hear the tragic news today. I still have his Grey Velvet suit that he wore when he won young player of the year 1974. 20yrs later he came back to try it on with an Evening Star photographer. I took it to the Sport Antique roadshow at Lords in London, well received but it did not get on the tele.
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gosblue added 23:38 - Sep 16 One of the saddest days of my 52 years of being a blue.
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GatesofDelirium added 23:46 - Sep 16 The most talented Ipswich player I can remember. RIP Kevin
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Henrietta_R_Hippo added 00:15 - Sep 17 ****HEROES GET REMEMBERED, BUT LEGENDS NEVER DIE!**** R.I.P. "The Beat", the greatest & most inspirational player I've ever seen in an Ipswich shirt
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thechangingman added 02:58 - Sep 17 I've only just caught this news... Genuinely sad to hear that Kevin has gone and my mind goes back to awesome times when I was privileged to watch him play during our halcyon days. The term 'legend' has been cheapened through over-use but in Kevin's case it doesn't even seem ENOUGH!! Thanks for the memories Kevin - you'll never be forgotten...
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phillymark added 03:04 - Sep 17 I became a town fan in 1976-7. Was a legend. Injury prevented him from reaching his international potential. Sad sad day for Ipswich
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Tufty added 06:14 - Sep 17 No words Just tears
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Help added 06:41 - Sep 17 RIP in Beat, condolences to his family, simply the best.
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grinch added 06:49 - Sep 17 Teue Legend best player i ever saw for town. Thoughts with all family RIP Kevin
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