URIAH Rennie, the Premier League’s first Black referee, has died aged 65. Rennie officiated more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches. Born in Jamaica he moved to Sheffield at an early age.
Rennie made history on August 13 1997 when he led out Derby County and Wimbledon to become the top flight’s first Black referee.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie,” said a Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association.
Rennie gives football something to digest
“Uriah made history as the Premier League’s first Black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008. He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come.”
But he had recently taken up a role as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, telling the BBC he wanted to use his position to help “open up opportunities to everyone”.
In April Rennie said he was on the long road to recovery following a rare condition which paralysed him. He was originally admitted to hospital last October for what he thought was just a back injury, however it became clear it was a far more serious issue.
He recalled how it started during his birthday trip to Turkey: “I thought I had just slept on a sun lounger, I was hoping to go paragliding but because of my backache I couldn’t go.
He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come
“By the end of the holiday I couldn’t sleep a wink from the pain, and by the time I got home I could barely walk.,” the former referee said.
It was soon discovered that he had a complex issue for which there was no quick fix. “They found a nodule pushing on my spine and it was a rare neurological condition so it’s not something they can operate on. I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed.”
It came as quite a shock for the man who was described as the ‘fittest’ match official in global football in his days of refereeing and known as for his expertise in various martial arts.
“It was strange – I went from running around the city to in essence being in traction for such a long time,” he said. “I didn’t have any previous back problems but quite suddenly I wasn’t able to move and was in a spinal unit.”
It meant that he could no longer walk without assistance, something he is building his way back up towards. “I can move my feet, and I can stand with a frame attached to my wheelchair, but I need to work on my glutes.”
He said he was focused on “retraining my legs”; gradually getting better with the same optimism and determination that saw him become a hero for millions of people around the world. I’m aiming to be the best I can physically.”
“No one has told me I won’t walk again, but even if someone did say that I want to be able to say I did everything I could to try.”
Despite his condition, he continued to work from his hospital bed looking to officially start as a Sheffield university chancellor in May. The Jamaica-born icon was previously doing an MBA there in the early days of his refereeing career before being awarded an honorary doctorate in 2023 for his work with sport and local communities.
He added: “It has been frustrating, but family and friends have been invaluable, the hospital was absolutely superb, and the university has been exceptional” he explained.
“I emphasised I wanted to make a difference to Sheffield and to communities here. I carried on working with community sports teams while in hospital, directing them from my bed.”
The experience, whilst undoubtably challenging, had given him a new perspective on disabilities and life in general. “Lots of people are in wheelchairs, but it doesn’t define them.
“It has made me resilient and forceful, and I will never give up – I’m not on my own, there is a village helping me. I don’t know if I am going to walk fully, but I know what I need to do to try, and you must never give up hope.”
Uriah Rennie will never be forgotten.
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