Hull City Academy are delighted to announce that Mark Beard has joined the Professional Development Phase coaching staff.
The 50-year-old will work alongside David Meyler at Under-18s level, taking up the vacant position left by Chad Gribble after his departure to Manchester City Ladies.
Born in Roehampton, London, Beard was a midfielder in his playing days, beginning his career at boyhood club Millwall and winning the FA Youth Cup with the Lions in 1991.
Playing over 500 games at senior level for the likes of Sheffield United, Southend United and AFC Wimbledon, Beard began his coaching career in Spain with San Pedro while also playing for the Spanish third-tier side in 2007.
The former FA Trophy winner combined playing and coaching at a number of clubs prior to his retirement from playing in 2011, before being appointed youth team coach at Crawley Town in February 2012.
Spending two years with Crawley, he also spent time coaching the younger teams at Brighton & Hove Albion before being promoted to an Under-18 coach in May 2017.
Winning the Under-17 Premier League Cup in May 2021 with the Seagulls, Beard has had further coaching roles at Stockport County, Dorking Wanderers and Eastbourne Borough.
“Everyone has made me feel welcome and it has been a great start; I am so happy to be here,” said Beard.
“I was lucky enough to come to Hull in February, as I worked with the previous manager Liam Rosenior at Brighton for a number of years, helping him start his coaching career while he was a player. I had never been to Hull prior to that three-week period unless it was to play football here and I fell in love with the place, so when the job came up, I applied for it.
“There is a real buzz around the place. Richard Naylor has created a great environment and I have got on really well with David Meyler; everything has fitted in really well.
“David (Meyler) is quite young in his coaching career, but he is a fantastic coach, and it is the same with Conor (Sellars) and Billy (Clarke), so I think I can also help them on their journey.
“The lads have a great work ethic. Every day, they want to learn. As a coach who has done it for 15 years, that is the most important thing. Their attitude, work ethic and how they portray themselves makes my job a lot easier.
“Firstly, I am going to observe and help along with the coaching and get to know the boys. That is the most important thing from what I have learned over the years, getting to know the players and staff. I will then start to implement things that I know will work and add to what is already a great programme.”
