Town have announced that the Legends bar in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand will be renamed Beattie’s in honour of Kevin Beattie and that they are in discussions regarding a fundraising event for the statue campaign.

Legends, which hosts up to 350 fans on matchdays, will take its new name from the start of 2019/20. "

Town will stage a formal unveiling before the start of the season where former and current Town players and staff will be present along with supporters.""

The club are also currently in talks with The Beat Goes On campaign regarding an event which will see proceeds going towards the cost of the statue of Beattie, who died in September aged 64.

Led by the EADT and Ipswich Star in conjunction with BBC Radio Suffolk and TWTD, The Beat Goes On was launched on December 18th last year on what would have been Beattie’s 65th birthday.

The current target is £110,000, although it is hoped that figure will be reduced as the campaign progresses. The total has now reached £80,000 which allows Hedges-Quinn, known as Coach, to be formally commissioned to start work.

Events already scheduled for the summer include screenings of Escape to Victory at Greshams on June 12th and 13th where Osman, John Wark, Laurie Sivell and Kevin O’Callaghan will be telling stories from the film in which Beattie was Michael Caine’s body double.

There is also the night of Proper Comedy at Portman Road on Friday 31st May.

You can make a donation online via the Go Fund Me page or send a cheque made payable to ‘The Beat Goes On’ to Kevin Beattie Statue Appeal, EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS.

There are also collection buckets at reception at the EADT’s offices and at BBC Radio Suffolk.

Photo: Action Images

Fixed_It added 16:26 - May 21 Great gesture by the Club to be fair - fitting that the greatest 'legend' should have his name honoured like this.
7

PJH added 16:34 - May 21 Yes, very fitting. We have had a number of greats and even more legends but The Beat is top of both lists in my opinion.
5

therein61 added 16:43 - May 21 He would have loved this, had he still been with us he would be first to the bar to buy a round.
2

Northstander_Blue added 17:03 - May 21 I'm not sure that it's entirely appropriate, given his well-documented battles with alcohol....
3

happybeingblue added 17:13 - May 21 great name for the greatest player to ever don an ITFC shirt as voted for by the fans,that in itself tells you everything you need to know of how good he was.
0

TractorCam added 17:33 - May 21 Northstander blue what a rubbish argument that you've copied off someone else. His family would have been consulted about this and would have said it's fine, the Beat himself would have said it's fine if he was asked, in fact he would have probably been honoured. Typical modern day era to get offended by something that the person themselves won't be offended by.
1

Northstander_Blue added 17:36 - May 21 Coppied from where and why is it a rubbish argument
0

TractorCam added 17:37 - May 21 Copied from the post you've up-arrowed on the forum, all the arguments against it are there.
0

Westy added 17:58 - May 21 It does have a certain ring about it. He would have loved it.
0

herfie added 18:23 - May 21 Ideally would have liked to have seen a stand named ‘The Kevin Beattie Stand' - a great player, joining two great managers. However, understand the practical difficulties of doing so, relative to existing names etc. So renaming Legends Bar represents a fitting compromise, which feel sure the majority will support. Together with the planned statue, as a permanent and public tribute, all bases have been covered. The Beat would be chuffed to bits and, as ever, very humble at what's being rightly done in his name.

1

pazzy added 18:54 - May 21 what a great player what a great man always had time to chat to you a true legend in every way a great way to remember him every matchday
0

Woodbridgian added 19:10 - May 21 If you'd of asked him he would probably of preferred this to a Statue and raised a pint in celebration! But the Statue is a thank you from the fans and also as important and the news that enough money has been raised to start work, well done to everyone who contributed
0

pennblue added 19:51 - May 21 Another good decision - blimey they finally seem to be getting their act together off the football pitch.
1

jas0999 added 19:59 - May 21 Good stuff. Great gesture. I'm sure Evans has made a considerable donation.
1

rabbit added 08:29 - May 22 Interesting to note Marcus Evans took over at ITFC in 2007 since then in 2009 the North Stand was renamed The Sir Bobby Robson stand, in 2012, what I remember as the Churchmans Stand, was renamed the Sir Alf Ramsey stand and now the gesture to the great player Kevin Beattie. Not entirely sure what this says but Evans has certainly put ITFC history before corporate sponsorship in these areas, which is forgotten by so many when he only puts in a paltry, between £6-9 mil per year.

2

Carberry added 09:38 - May 22 'Great gesture by the club'? something that doesn't cost money to try to avoid the embarrassment of not being involved in this project. Evans should have been the first to put his hand in his pocket and start the ball rolling. And honestly do you really believe he wouldn't have sold the naming rights to those stands if he could? Two words - Magical Vegas. I rest my case.

-1

Saxonblue74 added 18:13 - May 22 I've nothing against this but isn't our tribute to the Beat a statue? Yes, arguably one of the best to ever don the shirt but we have many other legends! Should have stayed as it was in my opinion.
3

Nath added 12:00 - May 23 I wonder if we will have an inground minute mart called Crawfords after the great Ted
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