A football referee has died after a freak accident at a school football match when he was hit by a football.

Michael Grant was rushed to hospital with a bleed on the brain after suffering the injury while refereeing a school game at Carre’s Grammar School in Sleaford in Lincolnshire on October 19.

Mr Grant, from Ruskington, died in hospital on Monday, the Lincolnshire Football Association (LFA) said yesterday.

The LFA paid tribute to the ‘much-respected referee’ who always had a smile on his face’ while officiating up to three games a week.

They said in a Facebook post: ‘Our thoughts at this sad time are with the family and friends of Michael (Mick) Grant from Ruskington, who passed peacefully away in hospital yesterday.

‘Mick was refereeing a school game last Wednesday when he suffered a serious head injury in a freak accident.

‘A genial man, he regularly officiated two to three games a week, always with a smile on his face.

‘Football in Lincolnshire has lost a much-respected referee in the process of doing what he loved and the whole football family sends our heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughter, grandson and his many friends.’

Among those paying tribute was a spokesperson for Sleaford United FC page, who responded: ‘Awful news, This is so sad.

‘We had Mick as our ref a week last Sunday.

‘Mick was a nice fella to talk to before a game, he had some good advice as well as some interesting stories.

‘The man was clearly devoted to football and unfortunately died with a freak accident officiating a sport he clearly loved.

‘Thoughts from everyone at Sleaford United FC go to Mick’s family and friends.’

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