Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Hurst: A Win Would Be a Fitting Tribute to Beattie
Monday, 17th Sep 2018 13:35

Town boss Paul Hurst says a victory over Brentford at Portman Road on Tuesday would be a fitting tribute to Blues legend Kevin Beattie, who died yesterday aged 64, and believes a memorial at the ground would be an appropriate accolade for the man many hail as the club’s greatest ever player.

Hurst, who took charge of the club in the summer, hadn’t met Beattie, who remained a familiar face on matchdays as the legend in residence on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Life’s a Pitch, but knows the standing in which he is held at Town.

“I heard the news yesterday and I’ve read the articles online and I know what a legend at the football club he was and he will still be remembered that way, and rightly so,” he said.

“I didn’t know him personally but I do understand that the work he was still undertaking at the football club and how well thought of he was.

“To be held as the best player, which I think a lot of people consider him at Ipswich Town Football Club.

“Knowing a lot of the other players that would come into that thinking just shows what a player he was and he’ll be sadly missed by everyone connected to Ipswich Town.”

Hurst, who is still without a win since taking over at Town in the summer, is too young to remember Beattie’s heyday but says he is keen to learn more about the Carlisle-born central defender’s career.

“I think naturally you do that when you become part of a football club and its proud history and he sits right at the top of that,” he added. “Our thoughts are with his family at this very, very sad time.”

How much might Beattie be worth today? “Certainly a lot more than we could afford and I’m sure we could do with him at this moment in time.

“I guess he’d be right up there, wouldn’t he? I lose track of the figures, they’re that ridiculous, to be honest. Certainly a lot, a lot of millions that’s for sure.”

Reflecting on Tuesday’s match against the second-placed Bees, when there will be a minute’s applause prior to kick-off and the players will wear black armbands, Hurst said: “We need the three points, that’s obvious, it’s very, very tough opposition that we’re up against but it would be very fitting if we could get a win on what will be a special night, particularly prior to kick-off.”

He added: “It would be a fitting evening [to get that first victory] because I’m sure with his relationship with the football club, he’d be looking down and desperately hoping that we can get that win.

"He wouldn’t be thinking it would be for him but it would be nice to be able to get that victory and then dedicate it to someone that’s so special to this football club.”

There have been calls from fans for the club to instigate some kind of permanent memorial to Beattie at Portman Road, such as a statue, and Hurst believes it would be fully deserved.

“I haven’t been here long but I’ve seen how some of its special people in its history have been commemorated here and I think that would be a fitting gesture,” he continued.

“I’m sure that’s something that will be looked into if it hasn’t already because there’s no doubt, straight away, listening to and seeing views from fans what a special talent Kevin was and how he was thought of, so I’m sure that’s something that the club will look at.”


Photos: TWTD/Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



DurhamTownFan added 13:43 - Sep 17
Pick your best team and pick the style that you want to play with and then live or die by it. Stop over-thinking things and changing the team every game. Give the players clear instructions. Most importantly, back yourself as manager!

Things seem very messy with his ideas at the moment, dropping players signed then recalling players dropped and not much certainty. Can't be helping with confidence among the players.
2

bobble added 13:43 - Sep 17
he deserves more than a win, he deserves promotion...............
3

CavendishBlue added 13:45 - Sep 17
3-1 would've been his prediction......
1

ThatMuhrenCross added 13:47 - Sep 17
Losing a legend like Beattie is a sickening reminder of just how far this club has fallen. Makes it hurt more.
4

marco007 added 14:08 - Sep 17
Such a fluffy interview.
I'd like to understand Hursty's strategy? Doesn't like loan players and then signs 6? signs two strikers for relatively large sums and doesn't play them? Formations change, players are coming and going and it looks like he still does not know either our best 11 or how we should play?
I'm worried as our squad is looking very weak and I just don't see where the goals are coming from? I am also concenrned at the lack of synergy between the way we play at academy and first team.
Happy to give him a chance as we needed a change but just need to start seeing progress
7

TimmyH added 14:17 - Sep 17
A fitting tribute to Beattie and our long suffering supporters (don't forget us Paul).
1

Tractorboy1985 added 14:19 - Sep 17
Play 4-4-2 and go for it then! Us as fans then win lose or draw will always side with you but whilst you play 1 isolated striker you will get turned on very quickly! Play to WIN every game! That's all we ask! 2 massive games.. lose them both and I really fear for you mr Hurst! COYB.. do it for ‘THE BEAT'
1

WestSussexBlue added 14:24 - Sep 17
No pressure then boys.
Come on Town, Win this for The Beat.
1

ihatecanaries added 15:02 - Sep 17
Your right Paul a win tomorrow night would be a fitting tribute but it isn't going to happen. We can't score and we can't keep clean sheets that means only one thing........RELEGATION!!! 0-3
-4

martin587 added 15:23 - Sep 17
4-4-2 from the start and stick with it.
2

tractorrollson added 15:49 - Sep 17
I find it strange that he never says our club or my players, its always this club etc, its a strange way of being a manager and says to me he hasnt settled in yet.
0

rfretwell added 07:31 - Sep 18
How could he not have met the Beat by now? Strange.
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024