IPSWICH Town legend Kevin Beattie is set to get the Christmas present he has been hankering after for more than 26 years - a UEFA Cup winning medal.The Blues and England defender missed out on the gong in 1981 despite playing in every round of the competition up until the final, which he missed due to a broken arm.

IPSWICH Town legend Kevin Beattie is set to get the Christmas present he has been hankering after for more than 26 years - a UEFA Cup winning medal.

The Blues and England defender missed out on the gong in 1981 despite playing in every round of the competition up until the final, which he missed due to a broken arm.

But now, thanks to a petition organised by Rob Finch, of Cult Publishing, and signed by more than 500 football fans, UEFA look set to award “The Beat” his long awaited medal.

Former sports minister Richard Caborn wrote to UEFA president Michel Platini, who was on the losing side for St Etienne against Town in the quarter-finals.

Platini has subsequently indicated he is sympathetic to the cause and would be willing to strike up a medal for Beattie and a precedent has already been set with former Ipswich Town striker David Johnson getting a European Cup medal after missing out on a final with Liverpool.

Members of the England World Cup winning squad, including Jimmy Greaves, have just been handed medals from the 1966 final after originally missing out.

Beattie said: “At long last it is looking likely that I will be getting the medal and it would be brilliant for me and my family.

“I'm greatly heartened by those lads getting World Cup winners medals now too.

“It has been a constant source of annoyance to me that I never got a UEFA Cup medal. So what Rob Finch has done is marvellous and now Mr Caborn has got involved as well, which is fantastic.

“The petition has gone really well and I really appreciate everyone who has backed it.”

Mr Finch said: “I am really pleased about the news and feel it is fitting that Beat gets his reward.

“He was obviously a terrific player and is a decent bloke who had something of a bitter-sweet career due to injury. Hopefully this gives him another good memento from the game.

“With Mr Caborn on board - hopefully things are getting close. I would still urge people to sign the petition at www.cultfigurepublishing.com as the more people who sign the better chance we have.”