Now earning a wage , Beattie tried to help support his family , sending money home each week . He also stepped in to prevent domestic violence between his parents : " I became extremely upset when I found out that Dad was spending the money that I had been sending home on drink and Mum was going without . Not only that but I also found out that his drinking had got worse and he had started knocking Mum around . " Beattie was given his first-team debut aged 18 against Manchester United in the opening match of the 1972 – 73 season in England 's top division . Ipswich won the game 2 &ndash; 1 , and afterwards he asked United 's Bobby Charlton for his autograph ; Charlton told Beattie that his play reminded him of Duncan Edwards and that , in years to come , he would be the one signing autographs . He scored his first league goal for the club two weeks later at Elland Road in a 3 – 3 draw with Leeds United . Beattie featured 38 times for Ipswich in the league that season , and scored 5 goals , as Ipswich ended the season in fourth place , their best finish since the Championship-winning 1961 – 62 season under Alf Ramsey . He was also part of the 1972 – 73 Texaco Cup-winning team , won against Norwich City 4 – 2 on aggregate over two legs , and was named the inaugural winner of the Ipswich Town Player of the Year award
Ipswich Town Player of the Year
Ipswich Town F.C. Player of the Year
Kevin Beattie