As a professional footballer, Chris made over 315 football league appearances, scoring over 50 goals from the middle of the park. Debuting at just 18 years of age for Blackpool, Chris made a move to Hartlepool United. It was from there that Chris went on to have spells with Premiership-chasing Huddersfield Town and Rochdale before making the transition into coaching due to recurring injury. 

The transition from player to coach didn’t go unnoticed, with Chris head hunted from a three-year spell at Bury FC coaching to establishing a 12-year association with Rochdale AFC, taking on various roles from Head of Youth to Assistant Manager. 

Following his time at Rochdale, Chris was appointed as Head Coach of Carlisle United in 2019, and after inheriting a squad that sat 21st in League Two, he successfully transformed them into a top-of-the-table side before departing in late 2021. 

Beech became Coasters Head Coach on an interim basis in October 2023, lifting the Club up the table to an 18th place finish before being appointed permanently in May 2024.