KEVIN Beattie is celebrating after being named Manager of the Year in Ipswich's Licensed Trades League.The 48-year-old Town legend led his SophtLogic team to the Third Division title without losing a game.

By Mel Henderson

KEVIN Beattie is celebrating after being named Manager of the Year in Ipswich's Licensed Trades League.

The 48-year-old Town legend led his SophtLogic team to the Third Division title without losing a game. They also won the League Cup and reached the semi-finals of the British Sugar Cup.

Maybe it doesn't compare with an FA Cup winner's medal, England caps or the PFA Young Player of the Year award, which mark the highlights of Beattie's illustrious, if injury-plagued, playing career.

But he admitted: "I'm proud as punch with this award. We're still a young club, about to start our third season, so it reflects well on everyone concerned with SophtLogic."

Beattie collected his award, together with a personal memento, from Licensed Trades League press officer Steve Carter.

"We felt Kevin's achievements with SophtLogic had to be recognised and they were only one vote away from winning the Team of the Year award," said Carter, also crowned as the league's top referee.

Beattie added: "We started last season in the Fourth Division and have won promotion two years in a row, so I guess we must be doing something right.

"We have a squad of enthusiastic players and this award is as much for them as it is for myself."

A key member of Beattie's squad is his former Portman Road colleague, John Wark, who has been training throughout the summer in readiness for the new campaign.