Has been released by Sheff Utd. Sadly at only 34 it looks like his career is over. Not sure he ever really achieved his full potential. He was massive for us back in 02/03. Never really worked out for him after that.
I figured this might be the context of the thread after I saw the title. It's such a shame really, as I will never forget his incredible 02/03 season. Same old Beattie, always scoring! Can anyone remember why he ever moved to Everton? Club fallout was it? I know it was during the disastrous 04/05 season...
I presume it was due to the fact we were in a relegation battle and Crouch was being preferred to him, can't remember exactly though. One thing I remember was that he scored against us at St. Mary's.
Yes I was at that game...back when I shared a ST with my bro and we went along with our mum each week. It was written in the stars for him to score really, but worse was what happened at the end of the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4CV30RGTEo. Still the lowest I have ever felt after walking away from a game at SMS
Same here Fran! His career nosed dived after he left. Fact is he was/is a lazy player; I do not think never really tried to set-up to the next level and, if you have read GS's book; not too intelligent and questionable work rate for the other team members. Compare him to Ricky Lambert and look how much he has worked on his game and fitness over the past two seasons - no comparison whatsoever.
Yeah, remember that game.So close to beating our bogey team. Crouch opener. As a Saints fan, though, I knew it would happen - just all the more crushing when it did.
There was a very strong rumour that he verbally attacked Brett Ormeriod in the dressing room, about the crowd singing his name, Beattie was a very good player, he also scored a quite a few of penalties that had been won by Brett.
Was that the one where we threw a 2 goal lead in stoppage time? Redknapp's first game? Good god we were awful.
He was not a lazy player for us. He was always running, back tracking, defending, as well as scoring. I cannot believe how some people view certain players, preferring only to remember them at their worst. It is true however, that after a particular crucial injury, after the FA Cup Final season, under which he played for half a season incidentally, he was never the same player for Saints after that. Then he went to find fortunes elsewhere, as Lowe & Co found £6M being dangled in front of them too tempting. To be fair, it turned out to be good business for Saints in the end. Wonder whose pocket that went into..? BTW, I have read Gordon Strachan's book. There is no mention of Beatts having a bad attitude or of being of low intelligence. In fact, in one humourous quip, Strachan thanks Mr and Mrs Beattie for giving birth to James.
