Matt Beard’s impact on the game of women’s football in England cannot be summed up in mere statistics or trophies. His influence is inextricably tied to the sacrifices that he was willing to make in the sport’s formative battles. Beard is a two-time winner of the Women’s Super League. She has speed as synonymous with success and dedication, making a lasting impact on the sport.
Beard first drew national headlines when he was the head coach of Liverpool FC. Under his stewardship, the club clinched successive Women’s Super League crowns in 2013 and 2014. These wins were especially sweet, as they were accomplished by squads not widely thought of as championship caliber. His knack for developing talent and constructing competitive rosters raised the bar for everyone else in the league.
A little-known fact about Beard is that before his coaching career really took off, he worked as an estate agent. His love for the game of football quickly took him in a different direction as he began moving into coaching. He started his coaching career at Charlton Athletic, cutting his teeth as a “cheeky, cocky, young coach.” It was in this time he developed a life-long friendship with Casey Stoney. She would go on to become a pioneer in women’s football.
Stoney recalls Beard’s magnetic spirit well. To be honest, he could sell his granny to his grandad. That’s the sort of person he was. His charm offensive would have made him a car salesman. His warm demeanor made it easy for him to connect with players and staff alike. It took him less than a week in Chelsea’s camp— as a player, mind you — working under Stoney’s management for him to convert his teammates.
Beard proved he’s all in on women’s football by making sacrifices. In fact, he likely felt the same about the game when it was at its lowest of low times. To pursue one coaching job or another, he often uprooted his family — although he had three daughters, the constant relocations took their toll on the family. Even through all these challenges, Beard was clearly committed to his mission of making women’s football a priority.
His impact on the sport is echoed by players such as London City Lionesses forward Nikita Parris, who faced Beard’s teams multiple times throughout her career. Parris emphasized Beard’s role in transforming women’s football in England, stating, “He transformed women’s football in England just through sheer wanting to and caring.”
As evidenced by his entire career, resilience and adaptability were Beard’s superpowers. These positive attributes have served him well both on the sideline and off in life. In that, the sacrifices he made for his family and for women’s football speak to a commitment that goes beyond self-interest.
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