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

Kulturarv added 17:59 - Sep 16 Indeed very sad. A true Legend is no more around And even more sad that he died knowing that we are now bottom of the league. R.I.P. Let's play for Kevin against Brentford. C.O.Y.B!
1

leftie1972 added 18:00 - Sep 16 Sad sad news, rest in peace Kevin.
1

warksonwater added 18:01 - Sep 16 Legend. Icon. A true great. A thrill to watch. Worth the entrance fee alone. Possibly Town's greatest player ever. Flags in Ipswich half mast tonight. RIP Kevin. Thank you so much.
4

WindsorBlueArmy added 18:05 - Sep 16 RIP Big Man and True Gent.Also,in an era when the word Legend is used all too often Kevin Beattie fitted the description and meaning.Many happy memories of standing in North Stand listening to announcement of solid back 5;Cooper,Burley,Mills,Hunter,BEATTIE.Also,April 1975,beating West Ham 4-1 and The Beat picking up the ball on halfway surging forward and scoring from 25 yards.Oh to have such thoughts and memories today!! Play for Kevin on Tuesday,next Saturday and for the remainder of the season.

6

Surco72 added 18:05 - Sep 16 Very very sad day , my hero as youngster . Will raise a glass for you tonight Sir RIP
2

mrg25 added 18:06 - Sep 16 Such sad news a true legend of the club the only thing better than seeing him play was meeting him such a great man rip Kev and love and condolences to his family
1

happybeingblue added 18:12 - Sep 16 terribly sad news a colossus of a player
1

runningout added 18:21 - Sep 16 Can't believe it.. Best goal (although fluke) I have seen a PR v Leeds from half way line. Always will be a hero of mine
1

penuthead57 added 18:23 - Sep 16 It was a pleasure to meet Kevin a few times over the years. Such a genuine lovely guy. A sad day today for us all. x
1

blueboy1981 added 18:26 - Sep 16 ........ the Big Man would love the fact that we are all as one today. If anyone loved ITFC - he certainly did.
3

kpblues added 18:29 - Sep 16 Wow - cannot believe this. Simply the greatest player I have ever seen wearing a Town shirt. World Class.
0

Skip73 added 18:32 - Sep 16 Absolute legend, how the Town could do with a player of his quality now, RIP.
2

Davidwb20 added 18:35 - Sep 16 Sad news! RIP Kevin, up there with our great manager. I would agree with a lot of comments the best to ever don an Ipswich Town shirt.
1

essexccc added 18:36 - Sep 16 Devastated. He gave my teens credibility. The best in in England of his age - possibly Europe. Just loved his contribution to ITFC and indeed to my own life. Desperately sad day for ITFC. Pace, power, heading ability and commitment. No one came near him in his time or subsequently. A true legend. RIP Kevin.
2

jert16 added 18:38 - Sep 16 Absolute hero!! RIP you great, great man!
1

Beattieismagic added 18:40 - Sep 16 Definition of Legend - Kevin Beattie. Definition of Gentleman - Kevin Beattie. No more needs saying. RIP Beat, thanks for all the memories.
1

BigAlsMate added 18:51 - Sep 16 Thanks for some great memories Beat. RIP. My thoughts are with your wife and family
1

canary53 added 18:57 - Sep 16 What dreadful news. Although I wear the other East Anglian colours, I am sure that I can speak for all Canary fans in offering my sincere commiserations to Kevin's family, friends and fans. He was one of the greats of English and East Anglian football and his life like his career ended far too soon. RIP Kevin.
9

raycrawfordswig added 19:14 - Sep 16 Thanks Kev it was a pleasure to watch you play.
2

schenkermental added 19:21 - Sep 16 RIP Legend. Sky have just had a close up of Clive Woods from Cup winners when mentioning this sad news. Thinking of cancelling my sub.
0

schenkermental added 19:21 - Sep 16 RIP Legend. Sky have just had a close up of Clive Woods from Cup winners when mentioning this sad news. Thinking of cancelling my sub.
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Zondervanromeo added 19:21 - Sep 16 Loved the beat he came along to open are new club house a few years back now had a long chat with him lovely man a ture Ipswich legend sad news
1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:29 - Sep 16 Very sad news. Not what I expected to read on TWTD this evening. RIP Kevin. One of our greatest.
1

planetblue_2011 added 19:30 - Sep 16 So Sorry to hear this very sad news. You was an ITFC legend Kevin. RIP
1

ThaiBlue added 19:35 - Sep 16 Legend R.I.P Kevin.
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