Kevin Beattie

Kevin Beattie (born Carlisle, Cumbria, December 18 1953) is an English former footballer, playing at central defence for both Ipswich Town and England in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Beattie came through the ranks at Ipswich and was one of the leading lights of a young talented team raised by Bobby Robson which consistently challenged for the First Division title throughout the decade.

Equally comfortable as a central defender or left full back, Beattie made his debut for England at Wembley in 1975. It was against Cyprus in a qualifier for the 1976 European Championships and ended in a 5-0 win. Little more than a month later, he scored with a stunning, looping header as England beat Scotland 5-1, also at Wembley.

In 1976, Beattie played in two qualifiers for the 1978 World Cup but the left back role, which had been his main source of international honours, had numerous other candidates, including Mick Mills and Trevor Cherry. Beattie's ninth and final cap came in a 2-0 win in Luxembourg at the end of 1977, by which time England's qualification campaign had suffered due to one crucial defeat, a lack of goals and the controversial departure of coach Don Revie.

Beattie played a starring role as Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978, with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal. He missed their triumph in the 1981 UEFA Cup final though after suffering a broken arm in an FA Cup semi-final defeat weeks earlier to Manchester City.

Robson nicknamed Beattie "The Diamond" on the grounds that he had discovered a gem when his scouts sent him to watch the teenage Beattie play. But Beattie's career was dogged by injuries and accidents - he once missed a number of games through burns suffered when a home bonfire got out of control - and after a testimonial in 1982, was sold to Colchester United. He later joined Middlesbrough before retiring with a knee injury.

Beattie has since worked as a coach, scout and on the after-dinner circuit.