About PTA
I love football. I mean, I really, really love football. It’s my passion, and it takes up a good portion of both my brainspace and my weekends.
When it comes to the referees, though, it was the 2010 World Cup that did it. I loved everything about that World Cup. I loved the friendly camaraderie in every pub we were in, no matter who was playing, and I loved the excitement and the heartbreak (mostly heartbreak; I support Switzerland).
But mostly, I loved Howard Webb.
Webb was the first referee I ever really noticed and his air of command captivated me. My friends and I followed his every move through the tournament and when he was given the final there was a flurry of proud texts all out of proportion to our connection to him.
What I learned from that World Cup is that referees are interesting people and they really do hold the game in the palm of their hand. They’re human. They make mistakes. But they get it right more often than not. They keep the Beautiful Game beautiful.
Play the Advantage isn’t like other refereeing blogs, and it’s not meant to be. Most blogs in the space are more about the technical aspects of refereeing, written by referees for referees. I am not a referee; I’m just someone who admires the men who are and the job they do. So, expect less rules and tactics, and more news and fun.
If you leave here with a little more respect for the men in the middle, then my job here is done.
~Jenna
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I assume you are a referee too Jenna?
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Nope! Just a sympathizer. 🙂
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I’ve shared your blog link around earlier today and hope you get plenty of visits over the coming week and future.
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Gosh you really are running a unique blog! Hmmm…..smart. 🙂
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Thanks, Trucker! Glad you’re here.
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Howard Webb. As a passionate Liverpool fan, I must say I HATE him! Did you see his awful decisions in the Arsenal v Liverpool match in the FA Cup?
Visit me at: blametheblogger.wordpress.com
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I actually saw your blog yesterday through Community Pool, but didn’t get a chance to comment due to the Day Job. I’m really intrigued and I’ll go through it more thoroughly later. As for Howard Webb, yes, I saw the Arsenal match. 🙂 (I agree that the last penalty call was wrong.) He certainly is having a rough go of it of late…
Hope to see you around here more!
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Oh, how I wish you were equally passionate about American football, specifically NCAA college football. But I love your sports’ passion nonetheless! 🙂
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Aw…thanks. I think that’s the nicest compliment I’ve had yet! But, sadly, no…American football makes no sense to me; all the clocks are going in the wrong direction. Plus, I don’t think their referees are anywhere near as cute. 😉
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Am absolutely not interested in football and referees but your blog is an excellent idea considering the lack of respect they can came come accross. Loving your work on here 🙂
There is an excellent old film named “A mort l’arbitre” which is about a referee hunted down by unhappy supporters after the game is lost. Not sure it’s available with french subtitles though!
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088462/)
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Awesome blog 🙂
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love it!!!!
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Hey Jenna,
Love this blog — very interesting, very fun. Keep up the good work and COME ON YOU SPURS!
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Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur!!!
Glad you’re here, Ryan. 🙂
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Am really enjoying your blog during this world cup! As a retired ref (lack of fitness as I age), I still follow “the third team” in most matches–while watching the players and teams, too, of course! Nice commentary! Balance of technical and “reasoned fan in the stands” point of view. Very nice.
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Thank you so much, Richard. I’m flattered.
I love referees (even retired ones!) so I love doing this.
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But you love the minirefs the best eh Jenna? 😦 😉 xx
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Absolutely!!!
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Nice to see some support for the referees! It is not easy job! Following the referees is just as exciting as following the teams for many who take the whistle as referees at all levels. Enjoy as we head into the round of 16! Go referees too!
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I wanted to let you know I nominated Play The Advantage for a Liebster Award. Look it up on Google, it’s actually a legitimate aware. Here is my post accepting my award and nominating you – http://wildamericangooner.com/2014/07/20/liebster-award/ – if you want to accept it, comment here or on my post. No worries if you don’t want to though. Either way, I hope I bring you a few more readers.
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Will you be back soon?
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HAHA. Yes!
I’ve been taking a break after the WC and getting back to my real job (budget planing…ugh). Back soon, I promise!
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