After a two-year spell both playing and coaching in Spain, Beard signed for Stevenage Borough of the Conference National on 11 September 2006. On signing for Stevenage, Beard stated – "I got my brother Matt to ring a few managers for me. Mark Stimson was one of them. Boro' hadn't started the season very well and he wanted to add some grit into midfield. So, I flew home, trained for a week to prove my fitness and then played for a couple of weeks for nothing". He had previously played alongside Stevenage manager Stimson at Southend. Beard made his debut for Stevenage in a 6–0 home victory over Stafford Rangers on 9 September, coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute in the club's first win of the season. He made his first start a week later in a defeat to Cambridge United, before scoring his first goal three days later in a 1–0 victory against Weymouth at Broadhall Way. Beard was almost ever-present during the campaign, making 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals. This appearance tally included eight appearances in the FA Trophy, with Beard playing every minute en route to Stevenage becoming the first team to win a competitive cup final at the new Wembley Stadium, beating Kidderminster Harriers 3–2 in-front of a competition record crowd of 53,262. Despite being a regular fixture in the side, he was released at the end of the season – "I still felt I had another couple of seasons in me but Stimmo wanted to bring Johnny Martin in. I was gutted to leave".