A FORMER professional footballer who played for Newport County during the 1950s has died aged 86.

George Beattie, of Caerau Road, Newport, died on Saturday after a long illness.

Mr Beattie’s wife Iris, 80, paid tribute to her husband yesterday describing him as a “very popular man” who was “very passionate” about his sport.

Born in Aberdeen, Mr Beattie worked as a trawlerman at the age of 16 before he was called up for the Royal Navy aged 18.

Serving until the age of 23, he was then spotted by a scout and invited to play football for Southampton where he spent around two seasons before moving to play for Gloucester for around four seasons.

It was then that he moved to Newport County playing as centre forward between 1949 and 1952, during which time he also met and married Mrs Beattie.

He thenmoved to Bradford Park Avenue for three years and then to Gloucester again for a further three years finishing his professional career in 1961.

But on moving back to Newport, he continued to play for leisure at clubs including Ebbw Vale.

He also coached during his career at Dursley and Cinderford.

When his playing days were over, Mr Beattie continued to support Newport County and attended games up until a few years ago when his illness stopped him.

Mr Beattie also leaves behind two sons Alex, 58, and Andrew, 54, who have both played football for Newport, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs Beattie added: “He was very well liked and was always proud of his roots.

“He continued watching matches with the boys for as long as he could.”