An exciting new endeavour awaits a striker who was a Premier League player for Blackpool.
James Beattie, a former striker for Blackpool, has secured a new position at a competitive non-league team.
Beattie was named director of football by AFC Totton, a team in the seventh division of English football. After losing to Salisbury in their play-off final, Totton was unable to advance to the National League South and has now turned to Beattie to use his football knowledge and wide network of contacts to help them reach the next level.
The 46-year-old has been a coach at Accrington Stanley, Swansea City, Leeds United, Birmingham City, and Middlesbrough before retiring 11 years ago. He moved with Garry Monk to Sheffield Wednesday, then on to Wigan Athletic as assistant manager. However, he is now taking on a role that will make him an important player in the boardroom.
The 46-year-old told the Daily Echo, “I’m delighted to be here,” after accepting the position.
“I believe the club is working on some interesting projects.
“Our ultimate goal is to achieve success. That entails helping Jimmy Ball and the coaching staff out there on that green stuff.
“We aim to bring in players who will strive to contribute to our success.
“After I stopped playing, I had management experience, dealing with boards, etc.
“Throughout my coaching career, I’ve had the good fortune to be in close enough proximity to the managers to also experience that.
“Taking into account budgets and experience conversing with CEOs, directors and owners – hopefully, I can bring that experience in.”
Beattie played for 17 years, spending a brief time with Blackpool in the 2010–11 campaign. He came on loan from Rangers, but in his nine games, he was scoreless. The forward, who was born in Lancaster, played for Southampton for the most of his career before having stints at Everton, Sheffield United, and Stoke City.
