Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Stone
Hi Jonathan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jonathan Stone, I was born in Ashford, England and at the age of 16 became a football referee. Working mat way through the lower levels of Football (Soccer) in England to officiate Semi Professional and Professional games. These have included officiating at Highbury (Arsenal), White Hart Lane (Tottenham Hotspur), Old Trafford (Man U) and more. I also officiated on the Women’s Premier League Cup final and received a FA Final medal for that occasion – (Arsenal v Charlton 3-0 – 6th March 2005).
As well as officiating Soccer I also qualified and officiated Tennis, moving swiftly through the ranks to officiate many renowned tournaments all over the world – Indian Wells, Cincinnati, Miami, Gstaad, Basel, Fed Cup, Davis Cup, Wimbledon and more. I have also officiated at Olympics events and worked Serena Williams 2010 Wimbledon Final – Serena Williams v Vera Zvonareva 6-3,6-2. My first ever call on a Wimbledon final was ‘challenged’ by Zvonareva and my call was confirmed correct on a serve from Serena Williams.
On moving to the USA in 2012 I continued to officiate soccer and have officiated in many tournaments across multiple states and still to this day, continue to referee.
In 2020 I attended the Wendlestedt Umpire school in Daytona Beach, Florida and stepped onto a baseball field for the first time. I successfully qualified from the Professional umpire school. After this I attended a further clinic and was selected to officiate on the Expedition League for college summer league teams. Unfortunately not selected for postseason, however in 2021 I was selected to officiate on the Pecos League of Professional Baseball and was awarded the honor of Crew Chief for the All Star Game, as well as Crew Chief and post season selection – officiating all rounds of post season as well as Game 3 Championship decider as Home Plate Umpire. (Tucson Saguaros Vs Roswell Invaders 2-1).
In 2022 I officiated my first “professional affiliated” baseball games working 1B for Detroit Tigers @ Philadelphia Phillies in Spring Training. I also worked Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays, at Rookie ball level in the Florida Complex League.
I have attached numerous photos below as I firmly believe I am the only person world wide to have officiated a National Soccer Final, International Tennis Final and a Professional Baseball Championship series. Especially as a 42 year old British guy!
In 2020 I opened Blue Breaks Card Store & Hobby Shop located in Venice, Fl becoming the first British person to own a Baseball card store in the USA – expanding to 2 stores in October 2024 with our second location in Sarasota, Fl.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. As an official you are always up against every other official as well as yourself. You can be your own worst enemy as I spent my entire career critiquing myself after every game. It can be a very lonely career path traveling on your own from City to City or Country to Country.
TV and the media can also make it a tough career path as they analyze every single decision we make down to the millimeter. Along with that the politics in officiating is extreme. The best official available is rarely on the best game, as assignors and associations and in some case even the players or teams with request people they like instead of the best person for the job. What you do off the field, court or arena is worth more than what you actually do on it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a career official with over 20 years as a soccer referee, 12 years at the top level as a professional tennis umpire and now 3 years working call up games in Minor League baseball.
I also own a Sports Card store in Venice and Sarasota, FL.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly, the books I read the most throughout my career was Harry Potter!!! I got addicted to them later in life and ended up reading them cover to cover on various journeys and plane trips.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bluebreaks.com & www.bluebreakssarasota.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebreaksllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueBreaksLLC/
