Today marks the 50th anniversary of Blues legend Kevin Beattie’s first-team debut as Town won 2-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

On Saturday 12th August 1972, Beattie, 18, made his Town bow at left-back in place of Colin Harper as Bobby Robson’s Blues got their season off to a winning start against the Red Devils, Bryan Hamilton and Trevor Whymark the goalscorers.

The Carlisle-born defender went on to make 296 starts and 11 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring 32 times, and won FA Cup and UEFA Cup winners’ medals and nine England caps, netting once, and for many is the greatest player to have represented the club.

Photo: Action Images

slade1 added 13:10 - Aug 12 OMG! 50 years, I remember it as if it was today. Its frightening how the years fly by
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Bazza8564 added 13:47 - Aug 12 I was too young (7) to be doing many away games in 72, I think I went to Aresnal and Peterborough that season for a cup game, but Home was every game. As slasde1 says how the time flies. And if his locally based surgeon hadnt botched his knee surgery so badly (dont ask me how I know that) he would have played a shed load more than 307 games
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churchmans81 added 13:47 - Aug 12 I'll be watching the match at leisure over the weekend. More immediately though I'd love one of those shirts as a retro to go alongside my 1978 and 1981 versions. Anyone know where I can get one ?
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ImAbeliever added 13:49 - Aug 12 The start of an unbelievable 10 years, never since been repeated. My favourite goalsof Beats were the header against Scotland and his pitch long/world class blast against WBA.
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TractorfactorSteve added 14:32 - Aug 12 Like many here I recall his first few games and Sir Bobby building him up as the best thing since sliced bread. but i also recall how his first few matches contained many errors which would often result in a penalty or an opposition goal. Can't help thinking about our current manager and a couple of the squad who've found their true form with him. Somehow I doubt there'll be one who'll merit a statue alongside The Beat or Sir Bobby.

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Linkboy13 added 14:39 - Aug 12 Remember it well unfortunately those were the days when we produced brilliant youngsters that went straight into the first team none of this going out on loan malarky.
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Merthyrblue added 14:57 - Aug 12 Well, I really enjoyed watching that video. Never seen it before. Thank you to TWTD for posting it. Apart from watching Beattie's obvious talent, I'd forgotten what a good keeper David Best was. Also nice to see Ian Collard - a decent player.
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billys_boots added 16:10 - Aug 12 Agreed Merthyrblue, a great way to spend 40 minutes. My first game was 3 years later so I saw how great Beat was, but that was an unbelievable debut! At Old Trafford, absolutely bossed it, got an assist (in modern money) and hit the bar. Enjoyed watching Viljoen and Whymark too. Mills just as I remembered.
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billys_boots added 16:22 - Aug 12 And love that strip. Oh, and Hamilton's goal.
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