21 Facts About Kevin Beattie

1. Kevin Beattie was inducted into the Ipswich Town Hall of Fame in 2008, was voted numerous times as Ipswich Town's "best ever player", and features as one of Perry Groves' 20 "Football Heroes" in a book published in 2009.

2. Kevin Beattie was once described by Bobby Robson as the best England player he had seen, and that he could have rivalled Duncan Edwards.

3. Kevin Beattie had failed to disclose his earnings from radio, for fear of losing Income Support.

4. Kevin Beattie missed part of pre-season for Colchester by "straining too much" while defecating, resulting in a pulled stomach muscle.

5. Kevin Beattie had the strength of a tank, was lightning quick and he could tackle.

6. Kevin Beattie could climb higher than the crossbar and still head the ball down.

7. Kevin Beattie signed for Norwegian second division club Nybergsund IL-Trysil in 1988, making five appearances for them before moving back to England.

8. Kevin Beattie played in 34 games for Ipswich that season, scoring 5 goals, and was selected for the PFA Team of the Year for the third time in a row, along with team-mates Mick Mills and Brian Talbot.

9. Kevin Beattie was once described by Bobby Robson as the best England player he had ever seen, and that "he could have been as good as Duncan Edwards.

10. On 16 September 2018, Kevin Beattie died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 64.

11. Kevin Beattie found himself unemployed at various points after finishing his playing career.

12. Kevin Beattie accepted a lit cigarette from a fan and smoked it while collecting his FA Cup winner's medal in 1978.

13. In December 1974, Kevin Beattie was involved in an incident that prompted newspaper headlines across the quality and tabloid press.

14. Kevin Beattie was renowned for his strength, the nickname "Beast" reflecting that, but his quality on the ball.

15. Kevin Beattie played his last match for Ipswich in April 1981, in an FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City in which he broke his arm.

16. Kevin Beattie had represented Ipswich 21 times during the course of the season, without scoring a goal.

17. Kevin Beattie had three cortisone injections to get through the final.

18. Kevin Beattie appeared in all 42 league games for Ipswich that season, made 15 other appearances in cup competitions, and was presented with the inaugural Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) Young Player of the Year award.

19. Kevin Beattie travelled to Liverpool and impressed manager Bill Shankly sufficiently for him to be invited back to sign for the club.

20. Kevin Beattie supported his local football team, Carlisle United, and idolised the players.

21. Kevin Beattie has been called Ipswich Town's best ever player by many pundits and polls.