Following football still, local, Woodbridge Athletic FC in particular, where I am privileged to be the Honorary President, as well semi-pro, professional, all levels, it's in the blood! Also the President of a Supporter's Club too, the ITISC, their Chairman, in particular, is helping The Beattie's support The MS Society.
And Honorary President of the ITFC North of England Supporters Club which includes the area of a certain Carlisle, as well as northern England in general!
Television
Anything to do with sport but football in particular! Match of the Day, Sky Sports Extra, Anglia Soccer Night too, of course! As well as any live games on TV!
About me:
Oh yes, Kevin Beattie the former Ipswich Town & England player, I would like to say there's not enough room on here, (but oh yes there's plenty of room but someone else's already done the research) find out more on;
prideofanglia.com, find a 'Kevin Beattie Factfile', as well as Factfiles on other Portman Road Legends. But there is also details on nearly everyone else who has been associated with Portman Road Road on there, a fantastic website.
I can now also be found on Radio Suffolk on a Saturday with Rob Chandler, 12:30pm-1:30pm, commencing my second season, after a superb initial season on The Mark Murphy Show. Remember Mark's Breakfast Show is on through the week from 6:30am-9:00am! As well as upto 12:00pm on a Saturday, when Rob goes 'on air'!!! Watch out for Ipswich Town's Famous Five!
Recently, in September on Rob's show I was a guest and also there was a local musician, Asa Jennings, another guest on the day - it turns out one of the songs on his newest album, is inspired by myself, "Call Upon The Beat"! Once again I am most honoured, all Footballers have their song now don't they! Chants yes but songs??? Check Asa's site for details of how to get hold of your copy of his album!
2007 what a year, it started with the end of the 2006/'07 season, firstly the release of Rob Finch's book, The Greatest Footballer England Never Had, see Cult Figure Publishing for more details of Rob's work. We had a lot of fun signing copies at Portman Road, and at Brunton Park, Carlisle United (another great set of supporters) and other locations too, see the photos from the book's release at Portman Road.
This was followed by being contacted by The FA about being a 'Legend' and participating in the opening ceremony for the 'New' Wembley, see those photos too!
Of course next I heard from Radio Suffolk and commenced with Mark Murphy on his show, on one of the first shows I revealed I had heard from the Football Association again, about participating in the FA Cup's Third Round draw; 2007 just got better and better!
Just when the year was due to end, and I had just done the FA Cup Third draw, I thought it couldn't get better but on 28/12 I learnt via the local press (brought to my attention by a friend) that Rob Finch's campaign to get The Beat a 1980/'81 UEFA Cup Winner's medal would appear to have been successful. What news to end the year with, surely it's too late for anything else, did I need/want anything else!!!
Into 2008 and I got my medal at last at the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester, presented by a player we had beaten in our victorious campain in 1980/'81, St Etienne & France's UEFA President, Michel Platini! This came only a couple of weeks after being inducted into Ipswich Town's own Hall of Fame, what an honour!
A week before the UEFA Cup Final though in Ipswich we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Town's FA Cup triumph! The Boys were back in town!! The Boss of course, PM, Noddy, all of them with the exception of Coops! What a day, very emotional, seeing The Boss unveil 'The Sir Bobby Robson Suite', the bus parade, The Boss getting the Freedom of Ipswich and of course the dinner - which I'll affectionatley remember as an evening with Sir Bobby Robson, now he really is a 'Diamond'! As endorsed by Football & Sport in general;
See some photos with the UEFA Cup medal, Hall of Fame trophy, a trophy in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the FA Cup & a letter from The Boss, i was presented that live on air, that was also a very emotional moment!
Now ITFC supporters "THANK YOU" for nearly 40 years of support since I got here, to Ipswich! And that's over 25years after I retired from playing for Ipswich Town Football Club!!!
If any specific games stick in my mind (not that any one game doesn't, actually), they are the local derbies of course, check out these link recent victories, 2005/'06 or 2006/'07 if you have a few minutes spare! Unfortunatley no footage about from my time (that I am aware of) but watching these were fan-bloody-tastic though! Been informed some has been uploaded with The Beat & the Town team of my era, cheers, not much of me but the occasion was great & this got us to Wembley for THAT day in May, '78!!!!
There's also this game too, not my greatest memory, well the penalty I took twice isn't but beating any team 6-0 is great but a 'top of the table' Manchester United, that's one for the scrap book!
There's this European goal, note yet another hairstyle, it's not that I maintained the fashion & trends this one was to suit my part as Michael Caine's double in Escape to Victory! (You'll see my mate Warky's locks are gone too, he was a PoW in the film - OSCAR Winner wasn't he?)
Now I know I said there wasn't any footage of my era, that is changing, slowly with the Town content included, now see the England v Scotland 1975 highlights that have recently been uploaded, including my solitary England goal!!! "GET IN THERE"
Away from football, I am reluctant to drift off 'football' but there is a very good reason, there is one person who has been there through everything, the 'highs' and all the 'lows', and that's my wife, my wife now lives with Multiple Sclerosis. My wife has never complained, she is an absolute diamond, (and Sir Bobby called me a Diamond!) but also my wife has been my rock for 35 years. The MS Society have been a tremendous support to my family; a friend, knowing I would like to, or help to, raise any funds I can for the MS Society is giving up his time, read more about it here, see the related feature on prideofanglia.com with regards this event for the MS Society. Also see this feature from the local press with regards the event for MS. He has also joined The Ballistics to raise funds too. ITISC & The Ballistics joined forces for The MS Society read about it here &/or order the new CD here!
Love the addition of the Ipswich "get that goal" song - makes me want to go out and buy an old orange lined parka jacket with a fluffy hood - long live the 70's and early 80's !!! Hope you and yours are keeping well. Stephen, Adelaide
HELLO KEV,JUST A THOUGHT ID DROP YOU A LINE AFTER CARLISLES GREAT ESCAPE ON SATURDAY,BRILLIANT STUFF. ALSO VERY EXCITED FOR THE TRACTOR BOYS NEXT SEASON...GOOD TIMES AHEAD IM SURE. ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOURS,SILLOTH DAN.
Hiya Kev....still thinking of you all....Pat & me would love come summer to pop down & see you ...so we can be them kids again for a day...if alls well your old mate Kenny..xx
Not just a Happy Birthday Kev....Merry Christmas & A Happy New year to you & yours... Got your card ..Over the Moon...!!!! My Legend Too!!!... Kenny..xx
bobby robson i loved him when i was a kid supporting england through italia 90 and i was meant to come down and meet you i love my football and film just like my good friend jay. was just watching the video of the town beating united 6 0 great video
hi mate now going to u.s. a las vegas for nine days early hours thur 13/11/2008 , hope you are ok , talk when i get back plenty of pics , take care stay safe
Thanks for the kind comments about the book and the competition Kevin. Love the 5-1 England video - great memories- but what were you doing as the sole striker for that lovely headed goal? It was some break!
alright kevin,hope you and the family are well. im looking forwad to a weekend at blackpool this weekend-at least the blues are getting some results going...shame about the cumbrians though,whats going on??? all the best,Dan
Thanks so much Kevin for signing my Escape To Victory film shirt!
For all those that are unaware Kevin was heavily involved in the film – and actually played in the shirt more than Sir Michael Caine!
I myself have been collecting film and sports autographs for a few years (Escape to Victory combines the two) and would just like everyone to know how Kevin is by far the most genuine and kind sports star I have ever met!
Kevin agreed to meet me to sign my shirt recently (Which already has some of the stars of the film on it) and sat and discussed his part in the film with me and gave me an insight into what filming the movie was like
I will always remember our meeting and hope to keep in contact with Kevin for his generosity in signing the shirt for me
I owe you a pint or 2 Kev lol!
Keep in touch Jay
PS Just need Pele and Sly Stallone to meet up with me lol
Reading your book The Greatest Footballer ENGLAND never had......can't put it down..True Life.....& as Honest as ever.... You hav'nt changed a bit.....Thanks mate..Awesome... Kenny xx
Kev.....Pat ordered two books for me from HULL..Stores!!!The BEAT & The Greatest footballer ENGLAND never had... Well i know that first hand..!!!Belated i know but can't wait for the next post.. Cheers mate.. Kenny
hi mate hope you are ok , we lost sat but still a long way to go , what do you recon top six place for town this season ,have a great week mate take care stay safe
