Ipswich Town FC’s greatest player was given a hero’s send-off yesterday afternoon as Kevin Beattie made one last journey down Portman Road.
The legendary defender’s family arranged for their journey to a private family service to go via the Blues’ home ground so that fans had a final chance to say goodbye.
Fans lined Portman Road, applauded and chanted his name as the funeral procession passed by the stadium.
Beattie, born in Carlisle in 1953, made 307 appearances for Town in a career which saw him win the FA Cup and Uefa Cup during Sir Bobby Robson’s golden era in charge of the Blues.
Sir Bobby described Beattie as the best English defender he had ever seen.
He scored 32 goals for Town, was PFA Young Player of the Year in 1973/74, and won nine England caps.
Following an injury-plagued career, Beattie worked for BBC Radio Suffolk, and was a regular voice on the Life’s a Pitch Show on Saturdays.
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