Charles Edward Creighton (born August 6, 1876 in Belfast

Belfast

Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...

, Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

; died July 30, 1949) was an Irish-American soccer referee

Referee

A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...

.

Born in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

, Creighton moved to the United States in his twenties. He appears to have begun refeering local soccer games almost immediately after arriving in the U.S. He was known as one of the best referees in the country. His reputation led to his selection to referee the first National Challenge Cup in 1914

1914 National Challenge Cup

The 1913–14 National Challenge Cup was the first season that the modern-day Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup formed. Brooklyn Field Club won the title.-Open Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket replay after tied match...

. He was again in the middle for the 1918 National Challenge Cup

1918 National Challenge Cup

The United States had recently entered World War I, and the soccer world felt the effects as increasing numbers of players joined the armed forces to wage battle in Europe. Soccer was not as hard-hit as some other sports, but all leagues felt the impact; in fact the Cechie team of Chicago lost...

, 1927 National Challenge Cup

1927 National Challenge Cup

The 1927 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Final:...

 and the first game of the 1931 National Challenge Cup

1931 National Challenge Cup

The 1931 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-History:...

. He also refereed two American Cup

American Cup

The American Cup was the first major U.S. soccer competition open to teams beyond a single league. It was first held in 1885. In the 1910s, it gradually declined in importance with the establishment of the National Challenge Cup...

 championship finals, one in 1917

1917 American Cup

The 1917 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. Thirty-six teams entered the competition however none of the major Massachusetts teams entered. A new rule that season made by the Southern New England FA forbade their clubs from entering more than one...

. On November 6, 1926, he refereed his only international match, a U.S. win

U.S. Men's Soccer Records (1916-1949)

This is a compilation of every international soccer game played by the United States men's national soccer team from its first game in 1916 until 1949. It includes the team's record for that year, each game, and the date played. It also lists the U.S. goal scorers....

over Canada.

External links

• The Man in the Middle