Mark Beard

Coaching career Early coaching career Beard gained initial coaching experience while playing at UD San Pedro in Spain and also coached in Cyprus. In 2008, he established a youth academy at Sussex County League Division Three club Haywards Heath Town, while also managing the first team to a third-place finish during the 2009–10 season.

Tooting & Mitcham United In July 2010, he was appointed manager of Isthmian League Premier Division club Tooting & Mitcham United. Ahead of the 2011–12 season, the club altered its transfer strategy, leading to significant squad turnover; Beard used 40 players during the first four months of the season. He was dismissed on 6 December 2011 after a run of seven defeats in 10 league matches. In 2014, he established the Love The Ball (LTB) Sussex Academy, After a year as head coach at the academy, he became manager of Loxwood's first team in 2015,

He combined his role at Loxwood with coaching Brighton & Hove Albion's under-15 and under-16 teams. Under his management, Brighton's under-17 team won the Premier League Cup on 5 May 2021, defeating Middlesbrough 2–0 in the final.

Managerial and development roles After four years as under-18 academy coach at Brighton, Beard was appointed assistant manager to Simon Rusk at National League club Stockport County on 6 July 2021. He left in October 2021, citing difficulties relocating away from his family. The following month, on 12 November 2021, he became head of coaching at National League South club Dorking Wanderers, a position he combined with a return to youth coaching at Brighton.

Beard was named manager of National League South club Eastbourne Borough on 8 June 2023. He was appointed professional development phase coach for the Hull City's under-18 team on 22 November 2024, working alongside David Meyler. During the 2025–26 season, Hull City under-18s reached the Professional Development League play-offs for the first time and set a new club record for points won, before losing to Charlton Athletic in the semi-final. Beard joined Birmingham City Women as assistant head coach on 6 August 2026, with his experience cited as a factor in his appointment.

Style of play Beard began his career as a right winger at Millwall before being converted to right-back by youth coach Tom Walley, who focused on developing his defensive skills through regular one-on-one drills.

Career statistics

Honours Millwall FA Youth Cup: 1990–91

Individual Southend United Player of the Year: 1998–99