 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.During the Second Division match played between Colchester and Bournemouth at Layer Road on 2 September 2000, 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".