Beeby began his refereeing career in the local Northampton leagues, eventually attaining Football League status in 1999.[2]
His first ever match as a Football League referee was the 2–1 home win by Southend over Plymouth in the old Third Division on 7 August 1999, and resulted in him having to dismiss a player, Mick Heathcote of Plymouth.[3]
During the Second Division match played between Colchester and AFC Bournemouth at Layer Road on 2 September 2000,[4] Beeby was surrounded by away side players following a decision in their 3–1 defeat. This resulted in a £2,500 fine for the Dorset club, due to "a failure to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion".[5]
On 26 October 2005, Beeby handed out the fastest red card in Old Trafford history to Barnet goalkeeper Ross Flitney after 80 seconds in their 4–1 League Cup defeat to Manchester United. The decision was criticised by both managers.[8] The red card was later rescinded as Flitney's handball was not denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.[9]
Despite having already refereed his first Premier League match, and subsequently being given two more fixtures in that league during the 2005–06 season,[13] Beeby has since been confined to operating in the three divisions of the Football League. Incidentally, on 28 December 2005, he should have taken up his next Premiership appointment at Craven Cottage, when Fulham met Aston Villa,[14] but he suffered an injury in the "warm-up", and was replaced by fourth officialAndy D'Urso.[15]
Beeby is also listed by the Football Association as their Northamptonshire fitness coach, based in Kettering.[19]
UEFA involvement
Since 2005, he acted as fourth official in European club matches under the jurisdiction of UEFA,[20] until his compulsory retirement from that activity at the age of 45 in 2007.
