direct route for academy players to play first-team semi-professional football. After a year serving as head coach at the LTB Sussex Academy, Beard took over as manager of the Loxwood first-team in 2015. Half of his academy players were subsequently promoted to the Loxwood first-team. Brighton & Hove Albion He combined the role of first-team manager at Loxwood alongside coaching the under-15 and under-16 teams at Brighton & Hove Albion. In March 2017, Beard left his role at Loxwood with immediate effect, due to a change in coaching responsibilities at Brighton. Two months later, in May 2017, he was promoted to under-18 academy coach at Brighton. Brighton's under-17 team won the under-17 Premier League Cup under Beard's management, winning the final 2–0 against the under-17 team of Middlesbrough on 5 May 2021. Stockport County After four years in his under-18 academy coach role at Brighton, Beard was appointed assistant manager at National League club Stockport County on 6 July 2021. He left his role at Stockport in October 2021, having struggled to relocate away from his family. Dorking Wanderers Beard was appointed as head of coaching at National League South club Dorking Wanderers on 12 November 2021. Personal life Beard was born in Roehampton. He is a Millwall supporter. His son Sam Beard is currently playing for Barnet FC. Honours Millwall FA Youth Cup: 1990–91 Stevenage Borough FA Trophy: 2006–07 AFC Wimbledon Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs: 2007–08 Individual Southend United Player of the Year: 1998–99 References External links 1974 births Living people Footballers from Roehampton English footballers Association football defenders Millwall F.C. players Sheffield United F.C. players Southend United F.C. players Kingstonian F.C. players UD San Pedro players Stevenage F.C. players AFC Wimbledon players Haywards Heath Town F.C. players Tooting & Mitcham United F.C. players English Football League players National League (English football) players Isthmian League players English football managers Haywards Heath Town F.C. managers Tooting & Mitcham United F.C. managers Loxwood F.C. managers Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. non-playing staff