Chris Beardsley was signed by Graham Westley in summer 2009, despite not having the most prolific record for previous clubs at non-league level. Maybe a bit of a gamble by the boss, but it paid dividends during Beardo’s stay with Boro’. A lack of that scoring pedigree might put others off, but the forward took the chance to finally make a name for himself after a series of false starts. Goals remained at a premium, but Beardo established himself in the first team with a series of highly impressive and tenacious displays.
Never afraid of ruffling the feathers of defenders throughout the league, Beardsley put the legwork in to enable others to flourish around him. Although finding the net was a second string to his bow, finishing with 10 goals in the 2009-10 title-winning season was no mean feat and a valuable contribution. The step up to League Two and then League One were taken in his stride; Beardo making himself at home at a higher level. He helped guide us to a second successive promotions in 2011; finishing as the club’s top goalscorer as Boro’ narrowly missed out on a third.
Chris Beardsley: After Boro’
The return of Westley for a third stint as manager almost paved the way for Beardo to return in kind. But his return came only after Preston opted to release him. He had lost little of his appetite for the hard graft up top as we surged towards the 2015 League Two playoffs. But it’d be the last we saw of him; Beardo leaving for a second time and going back north – ultimately joining Burton Albion’s coaching staff.
Stats do not include expunged Chester City fixtures in 2009-10.
