Kilmarnock mourn Beattie

FRANK Beattie, who captained Kilmarnock to their only Scottish League title in 1964-65, has died at the age of 76.

The Rugby Park club yesterday paid tribute to a player they had no hesitation in describing as "one of the greatest servants to Kilmarnock Football Club in its 140 year history".

Stirling-born Beattie served the club with distinction from 1953 until 1972, before eventually retiring at the age of 38. He was signed by Malcolm MacDonald from Bonnybridge Juniors as an inside forward but under Willie Waddell excelled at wing-half.

Beattie was the first player to play over 600 first team games for the club, and only Alan Robertson, now head of youth, has surpassed that feat.