Beattie: My fall out with Sir Bobby

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town legend Kevin Beattie today revealed the only time he fell out with former Blues manager Sir Bobby Robson.

Beattie will return to centre stage tomorrow when he will be presented with his 1980/81 UEFA Cup medal by Michel Platini during the interval of this season's final at the City of Manchester stadium.

The defender, voted as Ipswich's best-ever player, broke his arm in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City and failed to make the 1981 UEFA Cup final against AK Alkmaar.

He had played in eight games in the competition that season, but was not eligible for a medal as he was not in the final party of 16 for the final.

“If I had been named substitute I would have joined the rest of the lads and been presented with a medal,” said Beattie.

“I asked the boss before the game if he could name me as a substitute so I could get a medal.

“In those days you named five subs, yet only two could play and

I thought it would be all right for me to sit on the bench and watch.

“But the gaffer said that if I was available he might have to use me at some stage during the second leg at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.

“It was the only time I have fallen out with Sir Bobby.

“He had his reasons for not naming me as a substitute, and I respect him for that, but at the time I was not happy and when the lads were celebrating afterwards the champagne did not have the same taste for me.

“It has been a long wait to finally get a medal I will treasure.”

A campaign was launched by Rob Finch, who will accompany Beattie tomorrow and is the author of his successful book, The Greatest Player Who Never Played For England.

Finch asked for fans to join in the campaign on a website and this pressure led to UEFA agreeing to present Beattie with his medal.

“I have to thank each and every Ipswich Town fan who played their part in this,” added Beattie, who could well be featured on mainstream TV tomorrow with the game between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg being shown on ITV 1.

“During my childhood I was a big fan of Rangers as I was a catholic and hopefully I can meet up with John Greig who I believe still works for the club.”

Beattie will join the band of Town players who will hold FA Cup and UEFA-winning medals.

“And it could have been a treble as we were so close to winning the league on a couple of occasions,” said Beattie.

“Sir Bobby says that not winning the league was his biggest regret during his time at Portman Road.

“Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen came in for the UEFA Cup-winning side and the Dutchmen were great players and a game between the 1978 and 1981 sides would have been close.

“However, the 1981 final side would have been better with me in it,” quipped Beattie in typical fashion.

I thought it would be all right for me to sit on the bench and watch.

“But the gaffer said that if I was available he might have to use me at some stage during the second leg at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.

“It was the only time I have fallen out with Sir Bobby.

“He had his reasons for not naming me as a substitute, and I respect him for that, but at the time I was not happy and when the lads were celebrating afterwards the champagne did not have the same taste for me.

“It has been a long wait to finally get a medal I will treasure.”

A campaign was launched by Rob Finch, who will accompany Beattie tomorrow and is the author of his successful book, The Greatest Player Who Never Played For England.

Finch asked for fans to join in the campaign on a website and this pressure led to UEFA agreeing to present Beattie with his medal.

“I have to thank each and every Ipswich Town fan who played their part in this,” added Beattie, who could well be featured on mainstream TV tomorrow with the game between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg being shown on ITV 1.

“During my childhood I was a big fan of Rangers as I was a catholic and hopefully I can meet up with John Greig who I believe still works for the club.”

Beattie will join the band of Town players who will hold FA Cup and UEFA-winning medals.

“And it could have been a treble as we were so close to winning the league on a couple of occasions,” said Beattie.

“Sir Bobby says that not winning the league was his biggest regret during his time at Portman Road.

“Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen came in for the UEFA Cup-winning side and the Dutchmen were great players and a game between the 1978 and 1981 sides would have been close.

“However, the 1981 final side would have been better with me in it,” quipped Beattie in typical fashion.”