Despite the 2006 transfer window being closed, Boro’ secured the services of full back Mark Beard due to the player being unattached at the time. After featuring for Southend United, Sheffield United and Millwall, the player had moved into coaching in Spain. But boss Mark Stimson reached out to Beard and brought him in for his valuable experience.
Beard racked up nearly half a century of starts at Broadhall Way, becoming a fans’ favourite in the process. He left in summer 2007; becoming assistant manager at St Albans City. He moved to Cyprus to take up a coaching role a year later, before his starring role in AFC Wimbledon‘s Blue Square South title win.