Position: Back Row
Date of birth: 6th Sep 1978
Height: 1.98m (6' 6")
Weight: 114kg (17st 13lb)
After 11 years and 238 first team appearances in the Blue, Black and White, Andy Beattie recently announced that he was to retire from the game with immediate effect due to an ankle injury sustained in January.
A fiercely committed and competitive player, Andy's physical, abrasive attitude has set the tone for some outstanding Bath performances on a number of occasions. He is a genuine old-school rugby player, and his loyalty and commitment to the cause will be missed by the Club and supporters alike.
Andy started his professional career at Exeter Chiefs, playing for the Devon side whilst studying at Exeter University. He made the switch to Bath in 2001, and has remained with the Club ever since. He also represented England A, making his first appearance in 2005.
We caught up with Beastie to find out what's on the cards now the 33 year old has hung up his boots for the last time...
The decision to retire must have been a hard one to make, how are you feeling about it now?
"It's had a bit of time to sink in, but I'm still very sad that it's all coming to an end! I've enjoyed my career immensely, and have been lucky to have had such a good innings at such a Club like Bath.
"I was advised by two different medical specialists to retire, and had to listen to them really and take their advice. I've learnt a lot from the guys I've played with, whether that's internationals, World Cup winners or good club players, and have been proud to wear the shirt alongside them."
What do you think you'll miss most?
"I think just the camaraderie really, the banter that you get in the changing rooms and day to day around Farleigh. I've been lucky to do this job, and do it with some great people, for the last 11 years so it will be strange not having that banter as part of my working day!
"Also, matchdays at the Rec. There is no better feeling than running out at the Rec, with the fans cheering you on."
What does the future hold for you?
"I think I'm going to take a couple of months out to begin with. We're just in the process of buying a house, so I'll be sorting all that out, and just enjoying having a bit of time out.
"We're hopefully staying around Bath, and I'm looking to go into the financial services. It's a huge jump from what I've been doing, but it's something I've always been interested in. I've done a bit of work experience in the last few years, and hopefully an opportunity will come up for me."
You've had a good lengthy career, what would be your highlights?
"My debut against Leeds in 2001 was a high, even though we lost. The Premiership final against Wasps in 2004 – we'd won the league that year, but had to play the play-offs and actually lost the final, but we'd had a really good season that year. The Heineken Cup semi-final against Biarritz was fantastic too – again, we narrowly lost, but the occasion at the San Sebastian was incredible. And of course, the Challenge Cup win in 2008 was a great day for the Club."
If you had to pick a Bath Rugby dream team of your time here, who would be in it?
"That's tough! Am I allowed a bench? Ok, here goes...
"15. Matt Perry, 14. Iain Balshaw, 13. Mike Tindall, 12. Olly Barkley, 11. Nick Abendanon, 10. Butch James, 9. Michael Claassens; 1. David Flatman, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Danny Grewcock, 5. Steve Borthwick (Captain), 6. Gareth Delve, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Zak Feaunati.
"16. Pieter Dixon (Captain of the bench), 17. David Barnes, 18. Duncan Bell, 19. Stuart Hooper, 20. Matthew Thomas, 21. Martyn Wood, 22. Alex Crockett, 23. Joe Maddock.
"And I'd be Head Coach!"
Finally, anything you'd like to say?
"Just thank you really – to a lot of people! I'd like to thank my wife and my mother for their years of support throughout my career, the coaches and support staff at Bath who have helped me, and the supporters who have always been there cheering me on. And a big thanks to everyone I've played with – they've made it the great experience it has been for me. Rugby will always be a huge part of my life, and it will be strange being at the Rec as a supporter than player, but I'm looking forward to it and what the future will bring."
Quickfire Q&A with Beastie:
1. Of all the good times in a Bath shirt, which is the stand out? Making my debut vs Leeds - even though we lost!
2. Do you still get a buzz on match days even though you're not playing? Most definitely. There's no better feeling than a game day at The Rec.
3. Who has been the toughest player you've come up against? Richard Hill, world class player.
4. How do you take your coffee? With milk, at Jika Jika (free drinks for the plug Mearsy?)
5. Who would play you in a film of your life? Dolf Lundgren in his prime.
6. Who would captain your rugby dream team? Thierry Henry. My hero, he could easily adapt to egg chasing.
7. What three things would you save if your house was on fire? My daughter, my wife and my dog.
8. If you were stranded on a desert island, which teammate would you take with you and why? Flats, he tells good stories and I heard he got his bushcraft badge at Beavers.
9. What song do you know all the words to? Nessun Dorma, Pavarotti.
10. If you had to take part in Karaoke, what would you sing and who would be your back up? Especially for you, Kylie & Jason, with Peter Short. He's Kylie.
11. What other position would you have liked to play? I think my skill set would suit most back line positions!
12. If you could have one superpower what would it be and why? I'd like to be able to time travel so I can go back to Henry VIII era and see if it was good times. I've always felt I was meant to be king.
13. Which player did you look up to growing up? Dean Richards
14. If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you buy? An Aston Martin DB9.
15. If you knew the world was about to end what would you do? Get in my time machine!
