TRIBUTES POUR IN AS FANS SALUTE BEATTIE
IPSWICH might not have managed to deliver a win on Tuesday that would have been the most fitting memorial to the late Kevin Beattie but the host of tributes that have flooded in for their club legend have been heart-warming.
The 64-year-old former centre-half, who died following a suspected heart-attack last weekend, was a cornerstone of the great Ipswich side under Sir Bobby Robson that culminated in the Tractor Boys’ UEFA Cup triumph in 1982.
An undisputed hero for all those of an Ipswich persuasion, Beattie was lauded for being a Blues stalwart and ranks as arguably the Tractor Boys’ all-time greatest player.
Ipswich drew 1-1 with Brentford in midweek and his family, including wife Maggie, issued a statement to thank well-wishers for their tributes.
The statement read: “Maggie, her daughters Emma, Sarah and Louise, Kev’s sister-in-law Judy, son-in-laws Stuart and Jamie and grandchildren Hannah, Josh, Keiron, Reece, Rowan, Grace, Ria and great granddaughter Ella would like to send their heartfelt thanks to their friends and Kev’s fans for their amazing love and support at this very sad time.
“Kev would have been truly humbled, as are we.”
In total, Beattie made 296 starts for the Tractor Boys and was universally revered by all those connected with the club, the man once described as a “colossus” made in Suffolk.
Beattie, who also had spells with Colchester, Middlesbrough and Barnet, racked up just nine appearances for England during his career, belying the impact he made as one of the best defenders of his era, being described by the late, great Robson as “the best defensive player this country has produced”.