After the war, and with his playing days now behind him, Beattie accepted the position of secretary-manager with Barrow, then a mid-table club in the old English regional Third Division North, after leaving Preston in March 1947. Barrow had long been 'also-rans' and in the 25 years since joining the Football League had already been forced to seek re-election five times – but Beattie's arrival was to change all that. The 1946–47 season saw them finish 9th but Beattie was to create a local sensation by having his players report back for pre-season training a whole month before the new season's start. The new team spirit he fostered paid rich dividends and, after beating Halifax Town 2–1 on Boxing Day, his Barrow team topped the table for the first time ever.