Thomas Beattie (footballer)

Thomas Beattie
Personal information
Full name Thomas Edward Beattie
Date of birth (1986-09-16) 16 September 1986
Place of birth Goole, Yorkshire, England
Playing position Attacking Midfielder
Youth career
Hull City
2005–2007 Limestone College
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Forest City London 38 (7)
2010–2011 London City 49 (15)
2012–2013 Ottawa Fury 23 (3)
2013–2014 Hougang United 23 (5)
2014–2015 Warriors 31 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:59, 5 August 2015 (UTC)

Thomas Beattie is a former English professional footballer. His professional career spanned over 10 years before sustaining a serious head injury in a game, forcing him to end his playing career early.

Now a serial entrepreneur Thomas is the co-founder of several companies based throughout Asia.[1][2] Specialising in mobile technology [3], Product development [4] [5], and early stage investment.

He frequently appears on sports television networks and radio in Asia, as well as modelling for various different brands.

Thomas is very active in the fitness industry throughout South East Asia.[6] Often training professional football players such as Nicolás Vélez and Sutanto Tan during their off-season.

A keen philanthropist he often donates his time at Habitat for Humanity along with building charitable partnerships along side his various business ventures.

Early Life

Born in Yorkshire, England he showed a lot of promise in various sports and education from a young age, competing in track and field, swimming, tennis & football.

At the age of 9 years old, he was scouted for Hull City A.F.C., Leeds United F.C. & Blackburn Rovers F.C. subsequently signing for Hull City.

He was educated at Vermuyden School until the age of 15 where he then started his professional career with Hull City A.F.C. at the age of 16.

Club Career

Hull City FC

Thomas started at the academy of Hull City at the age of 9 years old. He progressed through the youth ranks into the reserve team at the age of 16. After establishing himself in the reserve team he found first team opportunities hard to come by with the progression of the club been promoted. He left at the age of 19 to play & study in the USA on a football scholarship.[3]

Limestone College FC

After moving to the United States, he became the most decorated athlete in the program history. He was the first ever Adidas All-American Athlete for the program,[7] subsequently in 2018 Thomas was named in the Limestone College Hall of Fame.[8]

Upon graduation he spent time at Kilmarnock F.C. in Scotland and Sandefjord Fotball of the Norwegian Premier League before deciding to return to North America.

Forrest City London FC

In 2008, he went abroad to Canada to play with Forest City London in the USL Premier Development League. Named as the captain in the clubs debut season, Thomas went on to score 7 goals in 38 appearances from midfield leading the club to the play-offs.

London City FC

He signed with London City of the Canadian Soccer League in 2010.[9] He recorded his first goal for the club on May 28, 2010 against TFC Academy.[10] At the conclusion of the season he received the CSL Rookie of the Year award.[11] Thomas re-signed with London for the 2011 season.[12] and over his time at London City went on to score 15 goals in 49 club appearances.

Ottawa Fury FC

He joined Canadian side Ottawa Fury after completing his studies in 2012.[13] He captained the team into the play-offs during the 2012-13 season. He struck up a strong connection with his teammate at that current time, Drew Beckie, who then went on to play for Columbus Crew SC in the Major League Soccer whilst Thomas explored further afield towards the Asia.

Hougang United FC

In November 2012, he signed for Singapore side Hougang United of the S.League.[14][15] He was signed by Alex Weaver for 2013-14 season where he went on to captain the club in what was a difficult season. During his time at the club the then manager Alex Weaver was fired after only 5 games [16] which resulted in a managerial merry-go-round for the rest of the season. Signed along with other foreign imports, such as Igor Čerina & Liam Shotton.

SAF Warriors FC

The following season he was signed by his former manager Alex Weaver with rivals Warriors FC of Singapore for an undisclosed fee, where he won the league title in his debut season.[17][18] He played in the Championship winning team along with the likes of Daniel Bennett, Nicolás Vélez & Hassan Sunny. He was an integral part in the rebirth of the club that secured the Singapore Premier League title.

He returned to the club the following 2015-16 season and started the season where the previous one had left off. The club secured the 2015 Singapore Charity Shield beating Balestier Khalsa FC 1-0. As a result of winning the Championship in 2015 the club qualified for the AFC Champions League. The first game of the group stages was against Yadanarbon F.C. which they won 6-5 on penalties.[19] The second group game which they ultimately lost 3-0 was against Chinese Super League giants, Guangzhou R&F F.C..[20][21]

Shortly after the AFC Champions League campaign he sustained a life-threatening injury in a head collision during a game against Geylang International FC resulting in a brain haemorrhage and facial fractures to the cheek, nose, eye sockets and forehead forcing him to bring his professional career to an abrupt end.

Life After Football

Entrepreneur

A serial entrepreneur he co-founded his first tech start-up in 2016 followed by a further two the following year all based in Singapore. He is heavily active in the Asian start-up space speaking at various events about the differences between being a professional athlete and an entrepreneur.

Modelling

He has modelled for various brands and products throughout Asia and is frequently featured in magazines like Esquire (magazine) and ExpatLiving.[22] He is seen as a brand ambassador for fitness and sports brands on Social media.

Sports Television & Radio

After he had finished his playing career he naturally progressed into football punditry via an invitation from former Singapore football international John Wilkinson for various networks such as Fox Sports Asia, Eleven Sports Network & Singtel Mio. He has also made appearances on several radio stations such as Power98FM & Money FM 89.3.

Education

He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Limestone College alongside a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education teaching.

References

  1. ↑ "e27". e27.co. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  2. ↑ "Social netbusting: How three Singapore-based pro footballers launched a social media app". Expat Living Singapore. 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
  3. ↑ "About - Ovvy - The Service Marketplace". Ovvy - The Service Marketplace. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  4. ↑ "Hygiene Hub". hygienehub.com. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  5. ↑ "Latent Epicure | Home and Kitchen Connoisseurs". Latent Epicure. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  6. ↑ "Home". TB Fitness. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
  7. ↑ "7. SMALL COLLEGES: NSCAA/adidas All-America Teams". Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  8. ↑ "Limestone Athletics Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Class | North & South Carolina | Limestone College". Limestone College. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  9. ↑ "Canadian Soccer League". 2011-08-13. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  10. ↑ "May 29, 2010 CSL--CSL summary of Friday and Saturday games (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  11. ↑ "October 31, 2010 CSL Final--Hamilton Croatia vs Brantford Galaxy (from CSL website)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  12. ↑ ANewsLondon (2011-04-15), CSL: Thomas Beattie back in London, retrieved 2017-03-11
  13. ↑ "Tom Beattie, Hougang's new HOOL". Goal.com. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  14. ↑ "Ottawa FURY News Detail". Ottawafury.com. 23 November 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Former Limestone Standout Beattie Signs Pro Contract in Singapore". Limestone College. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  16. ↑ "Weaver parted ways with Hougang as he is named Warriors' boss – Hougang United Football Club". www.hgfc.com.sg. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  17. ↑ Cam (2015-01-13). "2014 Review: #5 Thomas Beattie". English football players abroad. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  18. ↑ "Thomas Beattie | English football players abroad". englishplayersabroad.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  19. ↑ "Beattie, Velez laud Warriors' resilience in Myanmar". FourFourTwo. 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  20. ↑ "Guangzhou R&F v Warriors Starting XIs, 10/02/2015, AFC Champions League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  21. ↑ "Warriors' Weaver satisfied, despite 3-0 loss to Guangzhou R&F". The New Paper. 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  22. ↑ "Bundies: Singapore's first underwear subscription service that delivers fresh boxers monthly". Esquire SG. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
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