Beattie reveals FA Cup honour

IPSWICH Town legend Kevin Beattie today revealed his honour at being invited to make the draw for the FA Cup third round.

Beattie was selected by the Football Association to mark the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the Blues' unlikely Wembley triumph over Arsenal in the 1977/78 season.

A proud Beattie said: “I got a call from the FA saying they would like me to go and make the draw, so I told them I'd walk there right now!

“It's a great honour. I'm really chuffed and looking forward to it.

“Hopefully I will be able to pick Ipswich a decent draw out of the hat.”

The popular defender, who was granted iconic status among Ipswich supporters after being voted the club's greatest ever player in an EADT poll of Ipswich Town's Top 100 players, will make the draw alongside Sir Trevor Brooking on Sunday, December 2.

Beattie said: “If I had a choice, I would like to pick Carlisle out of the hat to play Ipswich because it's my home town.

“But from Ipswich's perspective, someone like Manchester United would be great.”

It was on May 6, 1978 that Sir Bobby Robson's unfancied Ipswich side beat favourites Arsenal, with Roger Osborne netting the only goal of the game.

Luminaries from the final, along with many from Wimbledon's 1988 success, are also expected to be at the draw, which will be broadcast live on BBC television and radio.

The third round draw is often the architect for much of the romance of the cup, with English football's minnows getting the chance to pit themselves against the big boys, who enter the competition at this stage.

Matt Phillips, a spokesman for the FA, said the plans for the draw were still being put together.

He added: “We approached Kevin Beattie due to the fact it's the 30th anniversary of the Ipswich and Arsenal final.”