"A man to put bums on seats........"

Summer 2001. Scunthorpe United have just been relegated from Division Two with somewhat of a whimper. The Third Division is a place we are more than used to playing. I was worried that we would be there for a long time to come. One of my favourite players, a certain Bjarni Larusson, has been released at the end of his contract. Fans begin to worry that were set for another long stay in English footballs basement division.

Iron Manager Brian Laws vows to bring in a player who "will put bums on seats,but also have a big impact on the field. He can not only create goals but also score them..........."

At the time speculation was rife. Who would it be and where were they coming from.

Step forward Peter Beagrie.

A man who earlier only the previous year had  in his career had commanded a £1million transfer fee. Played for England at various levels and only the previous season had played a regular part in the Bradford City Premier League adventure. His contract was up at the Bantams as they dropped out of the Premier League. Scunny manager Brian Laws knew Beagrie from his time with the winger at Middlesbrough, both men having started their careers at the North East club. They had both played in the Northern Masters tournament that summer, and it was here that Laws began chasing the tricky wide man. Beagries Bradford team beats Laws' Boro boys in the final, from there it was a long wait during the close season to see if the player was willing to drop down three divisions to spearhead the Iron's promotion push.

Beagrie signed on the dotted line, after an anxious wait for the club. Fans were set to witness a 35 year old master at work. From the start of his Iron career Beagrie looked more than capable of playing at a higher level than his new club were at. I can't imagine how many full backs had sleepless nights before facing him. I will his early games for the Iron. We started the season badly, with defeats at Kidderminster and at home to Bristol Rovers. After returning from a long trip to Exeter with a 4-0 win in the bag, still one of the best away games i've seen us play, Beagrie scored his first goal against fierce rivals Lincoln City, not just any goal i might add. A first minute goal, direct from a corner that was helped into the net by Imps keeper Alan Marriott. Throughout that season and for the next few years Beagrie ran defences ragged. I'm sure as well a few strikers down the years have seen there knees get knackered after darting into the box, only to see the little winger drag the ball back, wait for a flailing full back get back to there feet, only to beat them again, before whipping in a pinpoint cross !

Laws was right though. Beagrie scored as many goals as he created. A few times he fired in efforts from outside the box, whilst also being a dead eye from the penalty spot. All of course before breaking out his famous summersault goal celebration, something that got him in trouble more than once from Manager Laws. Apparently when your 35 it isn't good for your knees. I know i for one always looked forward to seeing it !!!


That famous celebration !

As well as his playing duties Beags also took up a coaching role with the Iron. Young wide men Lee Hodges (more on him soon) and Scott Brough (remember him) were taken under the veterans wing, with Hodges in particular flourishing playing alongside and learning from Beagrie. Although in the twiglight of his career he excelled in his time in North Lincolnshire, showing many players younger than him how to play the beautiful game, and drawing the odd two footed tackle, and resulting red card here and there. His first season saw him named in the PFA team of the year after some outstanding performances. Setting up vital goals for the likes of the strike duo Steve "Elbows" Torpey and Martin "Ghandi" Carruthers. The following years saw him play a staring role in a team that always seemed to be pushing for the play-offs or better. Highlights including a few stunning goals but a particular low point being the 6-3 aggregate loss to local rivals Lincoln in the play-off semi final, a poor away game killing any hope the team had of making the step up to a higher level. The 2004/05 season saw the Iron promoted. The now 40 year old winger was ready for the step up and wowed the crowds in the second division. One of my favourite memories being the FA Cup game against Man City, i'll never forget seeing Beagrie jump on goal scorer Andy Keogh, after the young Irishman had put the Iron 1-0 up.

Warm up time !

Something else i don't think many people will forget is seeing him in the dugout, warming up on an exercise bike. Not many people will have seen a footballer peddling away as he watches his team mates play. I once remember him jumping off the bike to join in a goal celebration on the halfway line with the Iron players.
I will never forget seeing him get a standing ovation in his final game for us. May 6th 2006, the Iron away at Oldham, Beags was replaced by Steve Torpey and every single Scunny fan cheered him off the pitch, most knowing it was going to be his final game for the Iron, he was afforded the greatest of respect after a wonderful career.

After leaving Scunny he played a handful of games for local rivals Grimsby Town, before starting a glittering television career with SKY and ITV. The cry of "Beagrie is Mint" will forever be heard on Soccer AM.

Peter Beagrie was around at the start of Scunny's current golden years, his silky skills would still be appreciated at Glanford Park today. All i can say is thanks for the memories !