ONCE A SAINT....

Yesterday lunchtime, the steel city derby took place between Sheffield Wedndesday and Sheffield United. It was a gruelling encounter, as most derby matches are and ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the Owls of Wednesday. Playing his heart out for the Blades of United, was James Beattie, once of Southampton, once of Blackburn, Everton and England.

After the game, Beattie made the long journey back to Southampton to take part in a charity fashion show at the Botley Park Hotel. The photo, courtesy of the Daily Echo, shows James and his wife, Sarah, on the catwalk, where they were joined, among others, by two other former Saints strutting their stuff, Francis Benali and Matthew Le Tissier.

The show raised thousands of pounds for the charity which helps sick children set up in memory of Sophie Barringer, who tragically lost her brave battle with cancer aged just six. James and Sarah Beattie are patrons of the charity after being touched by Sophie when she was a matchday mascot at St Mary’s Stadium.

After the event, James had to return to Sheffield to prepare for tomorrow night`s game against......Southampton, of course. But setting football to one side, what a pleasure it is to record the efforts of one player who went out of his way on a gruelling day to do his bit for a cause that has touched him, his wife and the local community so deeply. I suspect Beattie`s heart may still reside on the south coast but even so, his effort stands out as a beacon of hope in a profession which does not always endear itself. Pity he`s not still playing for us.