'Beatts' used to co-host a local radio show with then-Southampton teammate David Prutton during his spell on the south coast
James Beattie’s had his ups and downs. An excellent teenage swimmer, he switched focus to football and came through Blackburn’s ranks but was a makeweight in the ill-fated deal which took Kevin Davies to Ewood.
After going 18 goalless months, he scored 10 in 10. A strong target man with good close control and a fierce shot, he scored 23 league goals in 2002-03, making him the deadliest top-flight Englishman.
He joined Everton for £6m in January 2005 but struggled on Merseyside, scoring 13 in 76 games. Joining the Blades for £4m in the summer of 2007, he soon found his range again, netting 22 goals in 36 league starts – winning him the club’s Player of the Year award.
After a good start to the 2008/2009 season, Beattie soon found himself back in the premiership with Stoke City. Beattie was signed for an undisclosed fee during the 2009 winter transfer window.