Kent FA is saddened to hear the news about the passing of Simon Balsdon, former Kent FA Representative Team Coach.

Simon Balsdon was a Kent U16 and U18 Representative Football Team Coach with Garry Farr under the Team Manager Ken Brooke.

As a management team, they achieved a lot for Kent Representative Football. Thanks to their coaching, Kent FA reached two FA County Youth Cup Finals at Gillingham Football Club, losing one and winning the other. They were also part of the team who won numerous South East Counties Youth Football Championships at Under 16 and Under 18 level.

Simon is pictured below (second from left) celebrating the team’s success winning the FA County Youth Cup.

Ken Keating, Kent FA Competitions Committee Vice Chairman said “From the moment I met him his passion and commitment to the Kent Representative set up was 100 per cent, he was one of those people who you took an instant liking to.”

Ken continues “He got on with everyone especially the players of both age groups; having a laugh and joke to put them at ease before games but always maintained their respect and for me - he was the link between players and manager. His style of coaching was for the players to enjoy but also to learn from what he and Garry wanted to achieve on the pitch. He was just a down to earth guy and what you saw was what you got.”

Simon will be sadly missed in many football circles, and of course as part of the Kent Football Family.

RIP Simon