BACK PAGE: 1979

COVENTRY CITY were trying to land England defender Kevin Beattie from Ipswich.

But Town boss Bobby Robson sent out the message: ‘‘Beattie is not for sale – at any price.’’ The Sky Blues had offered £450,000 for the centre-half, who had been plagued by injuries in the past three years.

‘‘It’s a hell of a lot of money,’’ said Robson. ‘‘But Kevin is a hell of a player.’’ Beattie was with Ipswich from 1972 until 1981.