In the summer of 1995, Beard was transferred to Sheffield United for a fee of £117,500, with Dave Bassett signing him. He made his debut as a substitute in a 2–0 loss to Tranmere Rovers in August 1995, and went on to make 56 appearances during his time at the club. At the start of the 1997–98 season, Beard was loaned out to Southend United for two months, making his debut in a 1–1 draw against Oldham Athletic. He went on to make ten appearances during the brief loan agreement. He remained at Southend for the 1999–2000 campaign, starting in the club's first game of the season, a 2–1 home win over Plymouth Argyle. He made 42 appearances during the season as Southend finished 16th in Division Three, scoring what turned out to be his only goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Hull City in November 1999. He made his debut for the side in a 1–0 home victory over Northwich Victoria on 19 August 2000, and made 29 appearances for the club during a season in which Kingstonian were relegated. The club did reach the Fourth round of the FA Cup that season, narrowly losing to Bristol City in a replay after the two teams had drawn at Ashton Gate, with Beard playing in both matches. He left the club at the end of the season, and subsequently rejoined Southend United two months into the 2001–02 season, making 17 appearances that season. Another season at Southend followed, during which he made 42 appearances, before leaving the club at the end of the 2002–03 season. He returned to Kingstonian for the following season, with the club playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division, scoring six times in 40 league games. At the end of the season, he travelled to Spain to set up a youth academy at Marbella based club U.D San Pedro in the Spanish Third Division, and ended up as part of the playing squad during his time there.