Mark Beard (born 8 October 1974) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is head of coaching at club Dorking Wanderers. Beard began his career in the youth academy at Millwall in 1991. He signed his first professional contract in 1993, and made his first-team debut later that year. He spent two years at the club; scoring a goal against Arsenal in an FA Cup victory in January 1995. He was transferred to Sheffield United ahead of the 1995–96 season. In 1998, he joined Southend United, who he had also spent time on loan at in 1997. He played regularly for the Essex club over two spells, as well as spending time at Kingstonian. He moved to Spain to set up a youth academy for Spanish team UD San Pedro in 2004, eventually ending up as part of the playing squad. After two years in Spain, he returned to England to sign for Stevenage Borough, spending one year with the club and winning the FA Trophy as part of the first team to win a competitive cup final at the new Wembley Stadium in May 2007. Beard went on to spend time at AFC Wimbledon during the 2007–08 season, and the club were promoted to the Conference South via the play-offs during his time there. After retiring from playing, Beard made the transition into coaching and management; taking on the role of first-team manager at Haywards Heath Town, Tooting & Mitcham and Loxwood respectively. He combined his role at Loxwood alongside working in the academy at Brighton & Hove Albion, before he left the Surrey club in order to take up the under-18 academy coach role at Brighton on a full-time basis in May 2017. He remained in the academy role at Brighton for four years before being appointed assistant manager at Stockport County in July 2021. Beard was appointed head of coaching at Dorking Wanderers in November 2021. Playing career Millwall Beard started his career with Millwall, joining the club's youth academy in 1991 "straight from school". He was captain of the youth team that won the FA Youth Cup, beating Sheffield Wednesday in the final. During his time at youth level, he also helped the team win the Southern Junior Cup, as well as finishing runners-up in the South East Counties league. After playing regularly in the youth team, Millwall manager Mick McCarthy