Dick Beattie
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Beattie was a Scottish
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in both the Scottish and English football leagues. A Scotland
under-23 international, who appeared in three major finals with Celtic
in his early career, he was later imprisoned after being found guilty of involvement in the British betting scandal of 1964
, and banned from football for life, aged 27.
level for Duntocher Hibernian
. His spell at Duntocher was a successful one with the club reaching the final of the Scottish Junior Cup
in 1955, losing to Kilsyth Rangers
after a replay and Beattie was also capped for the Scotland Junior international side.
His competitive debut for Celtic came on September 3, 1955 in a Scottish League Cup
tie against Falkirk
and this first season would end with a maiden Senior final appearance, Celtic losing 3–1 to Hearts
in the Scottish Cup. It was in the League Cup however that Beattie would enjoy his greatest success. Victory over Partick Thistle
after a replay in the 1956 Scottish League Cup Final
earned him his first winners medal. The following season saw a career highlight as Celtic defeated city rivals Rangers
, 7–1 in the 1957 Scottish League Cup Final.
In August 1959, Beattie moved to England, joining Portsmouth
of the Football League Second Division
. Pompey were relegated at the end of the 1960–61 season while in that years FA Cup, Beattie was involved in a controversial incident when a bad mistake in a third round tie against Peterborough United
gifted the opponents the lead. He went on to sign for Peterborough in 1962 however after only 10 games, including another controversially error strewn performance in a league match versus QPR, Beattie returned to Scotland and joined St Mirren
in January 1963.
Dick Beattie established himself as the first choice keeper at Love Street but in April 1964, a story broke in the Sunday People newspaper which would end his career, exposing a match fixing operation which became known as the British betting scandal of 1964
. The ringleader, a fellow Scotsman and ex-professional footballer Jimmy Gauld
, sold his story and his taped evidence incriminated himself, Beattie and eight other players. At the trial in Nottingham
, Beattie received a nine-month prison sentence and was subsequently banned from football for life. On release from prison, he began a new life working in the shipyards.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in both the Scottish and English football leagues. A Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
under-23 international, who appeared in three major finals with Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in his early career, he was later imprisoned after being found guilty of involvement in the British betting scandal of 1964
British betting scandal of 1964
The British betting scandal of 1964 was a scandal in English association football in which eight professional players were jailed for offences arising from match fixing....
, and banned from football for life, aged 27.
Career
Beattie signed for Celtic in September 1954, however he spent the 1954–55 season playing at JuniorScottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
level for Duntocher Hibernian
Duntocher Hibernian F.C.
Duntocher Hibernian Football Club were a Scottish Junior football club from the village of Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire, who played in three spells over a period of eighty-six years...
. His spell at Duntocher was a successful one with the club reaching the final of the Scottish Junior Cup
Scottish Junior Cup
The Scottish Junior Cup, known as The Emirates Junior Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual football competition organised by the Scottish Junior Football Association for all its member clubs. The competition has been held every year since the inception of the SJFA in 1886 and as of the...
in 1955, losing to Kilsyth Rangers
Kilsyth Rangers F.C.
Kilsyth Rangers Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire. Nicknamed The Wee Gers, they were formed in 1913 and play at Duncansfield Park, one of the bigger non-league football grounds in Scotland...
after a replay and Beattie was also capped for the Scotland Junior international side.
His competitive debut for Celtic came on September 3, 1955 in a Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
tie against Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
and this first season would end with a maiden Senior final appearance, Celtic losing 3–1 to Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in the Scottish Cup. It was in the League Cup however that Beattie would enjoy his greatest success. Victory over Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
after a replay in the 1956 Scottish League Cup Final
1956 Scottish League Cup Final
The 1956 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 27 October 1956 and replayed on 31 October 1956. Both matches were played at Hampden Park in Glasgow and it was the final of the 11th Scottish League Cup competition. The final was contested by Celtic and Partick Thistle. The first match ended in a...
earned him his first winners medal. The following season saw a career highlight as Celtic defeated city rivals Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, 7–1 in the 1957 Scottish League Cup Final.
In August 1959, Beattie moved to England, joining Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
of the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
. Pompey were relegated at the end of the 1960–61 season while in that years FA Cup, Beattie was involved in a controversial incident when a bad mistake in a third round tie against Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
gifted the opponents the lead. He went on to sign for Peterborough in 1962 however after only 10 games, including another controversially error strewn performance in a league match versus QPR, Beattie returned to Scotland and joined St Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
in January 1963.
Dick Beattie established himself as the first choice keeper at Love Street but in April 1964, a story broke in the Sunday People newspaper which would end his career, exposing a match fixing operation which became known as the British betting scandal of 1964
British betting scandal of 1964
The British betting scandal of 1964 was a scandal in English association football in which eight professional players were jailed for offences arising from match fixing....
. The ringleader, a fellow Scotsman and ex-professional footballer Jimmy Gauld
Jimmy Gauld
James "Jimmy" Gauld is a former Scottish footballer who became notorious for being convicted of instigating the British betting scandal of 1964....
, sold his story and his taped evidence incriminated himself, Beattie and eight other players. At the trial in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, Beattie received a nine-month prison sentence and was subsequently banned from football for life. On release from prison, he began a new life working in the shipyards.