JB DISHONOURED; JB HERO

Joey Barton with an addiction has been dragged through the red tops today and it looks as though he may have played his last serious game of football. Shame???!!!

James Beattie on the other hand proved himself a hero, as he was a central figure in a boat rescue in Dorset yesterday. I know the Studland to Sand Banks chain ferry well and although the journey is short and across a shallow inlet, the currents run quickly and the water could be treacherous, especially to youngsters.

Yesterday a 25 foot yacht became entwined with the ferry chains which run under the surface and was in danger of being pulled under the water. Beattie, on the ferry having bought a ticket for his white lamborghini, rushed to help the mother of two young children who were lifted from the yacht before any danger came to them. He jumped the barrier near the ramp at the front of the ferry and with other passengers brought the mother and young childen to safety.

A rope thrown to the father on the boat helped tow the boat clear of any further danger. Phew!

A tweet from James.

Some people on the ferry were more interested in taking photos (see car!) at the time of the emergency.

So James Beattie? he was a gifted schoolboys swimmer who was second in the country in his age group at 100 metres freestyle.

Born in Lancaster and educated at Blackburn's Independent School, Queen Elizabeth's GS, Beattie was a successful schoolboy footballer who played for the ISFA Select team during his time at school. I remember watching him in the national trials.

He joined Rovers in 1996 after "O" Levels and played for Southampton, Everton, Sheffield United (twice), Stoke, Rangers and Accrington Stanley, as a player-manager, joined the coaching staff at Swansea with Gary Monk and followed him to the coaching staff at Leeds Utd.
He scored the fastest Premier League goal (12 secs) and played for Blackburn Rovers as a youngster.
He played 5 times for England including a debut in the friendly against Australia which England lost 1-3! He played 498 league matches and scored 141 goals. Mr and Mrs below.