Fenton: Leaving Blackburn Rovers was right career move for Beattie (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Fenton: Leaving Blackburn Rovers was right career move for Beattie

12:00pm Saturday 28th November 2009 in

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WHILE David Dunn has flourished at Blackburn Rovers, Graham Fenton believes leaving East Lancashire may have been the key to James Beattie’s career.

The duo, who will face each other this afternoon when Rovers take on Stoke City at Ewood Park, were rising stars of the reserve team during Fenton’s time at the club.

Both had good careers ahead of them but, while Fenton always knew Dunn would make it big, he admits former QEGS pupil Beattie has developed beyond all recognition since leaving Rovers to join Southampton as a 20-year-old – part of the ill-fated exchange deal that brought Kevin Davies to Ewood.

“I played with David Dunn a bit in the reserve team,” said Fenton.

“Alan Irvine (now Preston manager) was the youth coach then and there was a good set of young lads coming through - Damien Johnson, Damien Duff, Marlon Broomes and James Beattie.

“Everyone knew David was going to be a good player and I think he deserves his chance in the England squad now.

“But in those days James wasn’t as physical as he is now. He has really added a lot to his game.

“James really wanted to play for Blackburn because I think it was his hometown club, but sometimes it is best for you to move away from your home town and experience different things.

“I found that when I moved to Aston Villa, and I think it was the same with him.”

Fenton is now player-assistant manager at Arngrove Northern League Division Two side North Shields but was in the same role at Blyth Spartans were Rovers beat them 1-0 in the FA Cup third round last season – despite a late Blyth chance to equalise.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “The money they made from the cup run will keep them going for a few years.

“It was just a shame that we couldn’t quite get the equaliser late on and take them back to Ewood.”