Focus On…..Robbie Beard

Series continues on players who have spent some of their careers as a player or manager in the Southern League.

Robbie Beard was a very good non-League striker with an excellent goalscoring record, especially with Rugby Town.

He scored 22 goals in the 2002/03 season to stamp his mark as one of the Southern League's most prolific strikers.

Although blighted by injury troubles, he had a great season to add to his player of the season awards gained in his first season in 2000/01 after joining from Bedworth United.

Season 2003/04 saw him pass the 50-goal mark for the Valley and he netted another 15 in 2004/05.

In the summer of 2005, he departed for pastures new, initially at Solihull Borough, following manager Tony Dobson, but by decided that the lure of Brackley was too big to turn down.

However, he re-joined Rugby in December 2005 and marked his return with 5 goals in 13 games before returning to Brackley for the 2006/07 season.

Spells with Redditch United, Leamington and Barwell followed before he hung up his boots.

Clubs Played For:

Bedworth United, VS Rugby/Rugby Town, Solihull Borough, Brackley Town, Redditch United, Leamington, Barwell

Best Game Played in:

Bedworth versus Nuneaton Borough games early on in my career. Such a great atmosphere and rivalry.

Best 11 Played With:

Richard Knight (Brackley Town)

Paul O'Brien (Bedworth & Rugby)

Andy Penney (Bedworth United)

Craig Herbert (Rugby)

Les Hines (Brackley)

Richard Lavery (Bedworth) pictured

Dean Thomas (Bedworth)

Danny Hall (Rugby)

John Symonds (Bedworth)

Matt Murphy (Brackley)

Tom Winters (Brackley)

Subs:

Jase Pearcey (Rugby)

Gary Redgate (Rugby)

Scott Hadland (Brackley)

Nicky Platnauer (Bedworth)

Eliot Sandy (Brackley)

Best Captain?

Craig Herbert - looked after me on and off the pitch!

Funniest Team-Mate?

Paul O'Brien for his smart banter and Anthony Fontanelle (aka Yella)

Best Manager?

Tony Dobson (pictured left) and Phil Lines. Great man management and both improved my game.

Best Mate in Football:

So many friends made in football (as well as enemies!), but Liam O'Neill and Paul O'Brien

Are You Still Involved in the Game?

Coaching was never my thing as I hated training, but I now coach my sons` under-9 team. It's very rewarding training the kids (although I haven't got to the sessions on dirty tricks yet)

Words of Advice:

Play as long as you can, because you're a long time retired. And don't go chasing the extra £5 a week!