Michael John Charles Balson (9 September 1947 – 30 May 2019) was an English professional association football defender who played professionally in England, South Africa and the United States. His career brought him to the United States where he served several decades as a referee as well as a team and league executive. He was a member of both the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association Hall of Fame and the United Soccer Leagues Hall of Fame.

Player A member of England's oldest family of commercial butchers, As a youth he served as the captain of Colfox School squad. He also had a stint at Bridport FC Balson grew up in England where he began playing for Exeter City in 1966. In 1974, he transferred to South African club, Highlands Park.Exeter City transfers In 1979, he moved to the United States where he signed with the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League. In 1982, he played for the Georgia Generals of the American Soccer League. He played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies during the 1986–87 American Indoor Soccer Association season.Rowdies triumph 6-5 in OT - Former Rowdies player Tatu fined for diving St. Petersburg Times - Thursday, 29 January 1987

Referee In 1981, Balson became a member of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). Over the years, he worked his way into the highest levels of intercollegiate refereeing. In 1984, he became a national referee, working both national junior college and NAIA women's finals. In 1985, he officiated during the NCAA Division I women's tournament. In 1996, he officiated the women's quarterfinals and in 1999, he officiated the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship Final. On the men's side, he oversaw the NCAA quarterfinals from 2000 to 2003 while officiating the ACC men's finals. In 2002, 2004 and 2005, he officiated the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship. He was inducted into the NISOA Hall of Fame in 2006.NISOA Hall of Fame bio

Administrator In 1990, he was part of the establishment of the Atlanta Express of the Sunbelt Independent Soccer League which later became the USISL and eventually the USL. He became a USISL administrator in 1991, the same year he joined the management of the Atlanta Magic. In 1998, he became the general manager of the Atlanta Silverbacks. In 2002, Balson was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as a Builder.USL Hall of Fame bio

Personal life and death Mike was the oldest child of Donald and Joan Balson. He and his wife, Julia, had two children, Melanie and Oliver, and five grandchildren. He and his wife spent over 30 years ministering to prisoners in Atlanta, and also spent 20 years ministering to youth at Georgia Regional Hospital. After a 10-year battle, Balson died on 30 May 2019 from complications associated with Lewy Body Dementia.OBITUARY Michael John Charles Balson

References

External links NASL/ASL stats 1970-1971 Exeter City team photo Links to the Old Country: A Flowery Branch man has introduced his family's traditional British sausage to the US