Chris Beardsley

Early career

Beardsley played junior football for Mickleover Sports before joining the youth system of Derby County at age 11, where he remained for five years. Upon leaving school, he began a three-year scholarship at Mansfield Town in June 2000. Despite missing his second scholarship year due to a double stress fracture in his back, he returned to full training within six months and made his first-team debut aged 18 as a 57th-minute substitute in a 1–0 away defeat to Brentford on 28 December 2002. Beardsley made five appearances during the 2002–03 season, which ended with Mansfield's relegation to the Third Division. He signed a one-year professional contract on 4 July 2003, and scored his first career goal with a header in a 2–0 victory over York City on 11 October 2003. In January 2004, Beardsley joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Worksop Town on a one-month loan, having previously been a transfer target earlier in the season. He scored once in four appearances, with his goal coming in a 1–0 home victory against Blyth Spartans on 7 February 2004. Beardsley made 17 appearances and scored once for Mansfield during the 2003–04 season, which ended with a fifth-place finish in the Third Division, before being released in June 2004.

Doncaster Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers

Beardsley joined newly promoted League One club Doncaster Rovers on 19 July 2004 following a successful trial. He made his debut as a late substitute in a 4–3 away…

Beardsley played as a striker and was praised by Stevenage teammate Mark Roberts as the "perfect man to lead the line" due to his strong work ethic.

Beardsley earned his UEFA B Licence in 2009, UEFA A Licence in 2017, and UEFA Pro Licence in 2023. He began his coaching career when he was appointed fitness coach at Championship club Burton Albion on 7 July 2016. Alongside Nick Fenton, he served as joint caretaker manager for Burton's 5–1 home defeat to Oxford United on 2 January 2021. He left Burton in September 2023 after accepting a two-year appointment as a FIFA talent coach in the Caribbean, based in Aruba.

He was born in Derby, Derbyshire, and attended Allestree Woodlands School from 1995 to 2000, followed by The Manor Academy from 2000 to 2003.