gave Beard his first professional contract in 1993. He made his debut as an 18-year-old, playing in Millwall's 4–1 victory against Watford. Beard went on to make 18 appearances that season, scoring one goal. During the 1994–95 season, he was a regular in the first-team, with the highlight of his campaign coming when he scored in Millwall's 2–0 win over Arsenal in an FA Cup third round replay at Highbury in January 1995. Sheffield United In the summer of 1995, Beard was transferred to Sheffield United for a fee of £117,500, with Dave Bassett signing him. He made his debut as a substitute in a 2–0 loss to Tranmere Rovers in August 1995, and went on to make 56 appearances during his time at the club. At the start of the 1997–98 season, Beard was loaned out to Southend United for two months, making his debut in a 1–1 draw against Oldham Athletic. He went on to make ten appearances during the brief loan agreement. He returned to his parent club in January 1998, making four appearances during the second half of the campaign. Southend United Ahead of the 1998–99 season, Beard signed for Southend on a permanent basis. He was a regular during the season, making 40 appearances in all competitions, and earning the Player of the Year award at the end of the season. He remained at Southend for the 1999–2000 campaign, starting in the club's first game of the season, a 2–1 home win over Plymouth Argyle. He made 42 appearances during the season as Southend finished in 16th position in Division Three, scoring what turned out to be his only goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Hull City in November 1999. During his first spell at Southend, he made 82 appearances for the Essex club. He then signed for Football Conference club Kingstonian on a free transfer in July 2000. He debuted for Kingtsonian in a 1–0 home victory over Northwich Victoria on 19 August 2000, and made 29 appearances for the club during a season in which Kingstonian were relegated. The club did reach the Fourth round of the FA Cup that season, losing to Bristol City in a replay after the two teams had drawn at Ashton Gate, with Beard playing in both matches. He left the club at the end of the season, and subsequently rejoined Southend United two months