Uriah Rennie remembered as ‘epitome of a role model' after death at 65
Once described as the 'fittest' match official in world football, Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare neurological condition left him paralysed from the waist down.
After his death was announced on Sunday, Howard Webb, the Professional Game Match Officials Board Limited (PGMOL) chief refereeing officer, paid tribute to his former colleague.
Webb said in a statement: 'Uri was not only a trailblazer who paved the way for many others after becoming the first black referee in the Premier League, he was a great person and a great referee who cared deeply about his community and helping people fulfil their potential.
'He was a strong influence on our refereeing group too, offering a calming presence and we shared many good times together.
'An epitome of a role model, Uri was a valued member of the football family who has been taken from us too soon. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. He will be sorely missed by us all but his legacy will live on.'
We are deeply saddened to hear the heartbreaking news about Uriah Rennie.
A trailblazer in every sense, he will always be a Premier League legend by becoming its first Black referee, providing leadership, talent and visibility that proved inspirational to many.
Uriah played a… pic.twitter.com/krJ9RIHXCO
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) June 9, 2025
Rennie started refereeing locally in 1979 before making history in 1997 when taking charge of his first Premier League match between Derby and Wimbledon, which he had to abandon because of a floodlight failure at Pride Park.
The Premier League said on X: 'Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations.'
Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later before retiring in 2008.
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said on X: 'We are deeply saddened to hear the heartbreaking news about Uriah Rennie.
The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Uriah Rennie. As the first black referee in the Premier League, Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/1rlxbzuF2g
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 9, 2025
'A trailblazer in every sense, he will always be a Premier League legend by becoming its first black referee, providing leadership, talent and visibility that proved inspirational to many.
'Uriah played a massive role in shaping the game as we know it today. Football should always be grateful to him.'
In November 2023 martial arts expert Rennie was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities.
He was last month installed as the chancellor of the university and was labelled by former Premier League referee Chris Foy as a 'real community hero in that part of the world'.
Chris Foy, pictured, paid tribute to mentor and friend Uriah Rennie (Mike Egerton/PA)
In an emotional interview with talkSPORT, Foy said: 'He was a gentleman, a gentle giant. He was a friend to me, a mentor to me, he was just a special person who put everybody first before himself.
'He was a real presence on the field and he was a real presence off the field, a true gentleman. If it was difficult for him, he never showed it because he was always grounded. He loved refereeing.'
Another former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher, told Sky Sports: 'As a person he was humble, he was quiet, he was unassuming. But most importantly, he was kind.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd kicked while they're down by Leeds legend - 'Really, really poor!'
Stuart Dallas has given his opinion of Manchester United after the club suffered a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League and missed out on the Europa League title to Tottenham Stuart Dallas has said that Manchester United have been "really, really poor" this season, as the Red Devils lick their wounds from a devastating 2024/25 campaign. New boss Ruben Amorim was unable to turn the tide at Old Trafford after taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, guiding the club to a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League standings. While the Red Devils looked to save an otherwise catastrophic campaign via better performances in Europe, a 1-0 loss to a similarly struggling Tottenham Hotspur in last month's Europa League final only served as further embarrassment for the once-titans of English football. And now Dallas, who made a name for himself with Leeds United between 2015 and 2024, has given his synopsis as to what is going on at Old Trafford at present. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the Leeds American Golf for the #RifeDontMiss putting challenge, he said: "It's mad as well to think that, isn't it? "The two clubs together are so far down the league. Spurs have obviously been decimated with injuries. It's been really, really difficult for them. "Their style of play, on their day when it clicks, they're a really, really good team. You can see what their DNA is, but Man Utd, on the other hand, I'm still yet to be convinced of what their actual DNA is. I don't see any change from a couple of things, but in general it's been really, really poor for them." Dallas also pondered whether a Europa League title was enough to argue that Spurs have had a successful season, given that the Lilywhites finished two places lower than United in the Premier League standings. He added: "It's mad to think that they were both European finalists as well and Spurs have obviously come out on top. "I don't know, is it a successful season for Tottenham? They've won the European Cup and they've got Champions League football. It's bragging rights over Arsenal. " Arsenal have obviously had a fantastic season. They've come second, but they haven't won a Cup and they're in the Champions League. Spurs have won a Cup and are in the Champions League." Spurs are currently on the hunt for a new manager in the wake of parting ways with Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank looking increasingly likely to take tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for 2025/26. Manchester United, meanwhile, are currently undergoing major revamps to their current squad with hopes that a summer transfer window and a full pre-season campaign can be a game-changer for Amorim. The Red Devils have already struck a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in the first of two windows, as they continue to look to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. United reportedly saw their initial £55m bid for Mebeumo rejected, but reports suggest that the club are still keen on landing the talent this summer. Elsewhere, the club are also currently linked with the likes of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Barcelona shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. On the flip side, the club recently announced that Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are among the stars on their way out the doors of Old Trafford as their contracts expire. Dallas was speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the second #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Rhyl Journal
36 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Luke Littler has Luke Humphries backing as English stars target glory in Germany
The two rivals will join forces in the 15th edition of the PDC event, which gets under way in Frankfurt on Thursday. Littler had previously claimed in April he would skip tournaments in Germany after being booed in Munich and Berlin that month, having faced similar treatment in September following defeat by Peter Wright in the German Championship final in Hildesheim. Defending champions England have been unveiled as the 4/11 pre-tournament favourites for the @BetVictor World Cup of Darts ahead of the annual 40-nation event. — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 4, 2025 But Premier League champion Humphries, who clinched World Cup success with Michael Smith last June, said: 'It's just about not getting involved in the crowd isn't it? 'We've just got to make sure that if they're on his back, I'll be there to say, 'don't worry about what they're doing, focus on your game' and if we play against Germany that's going to be hard but I think he'll learn from the occasions of playing against crowds that are hostile. 'I've been there, I've had it a little bit before and you just have to focus on the game and not worry about what is going on behind you.' Even though Littler has struggled with German crowds, Humphries plans to send the 18-year-old out to throw first when they begin their campaign in the second round on Saturday. 'I will probably put him first,' Humphries revealed. 'He is definitely the best scorer in the world. That's not a lie, it's obvious. So, you're going to put your strengths forward. You put him first, he is probably better at going for the bullseye than I am, getting the throws. A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler) 'Yeah, only if he's comfortable with it. If not, I'll go first but I played the anchor role last year. 'I felt really good going second, so maybe that is my role for this year as well.' Victory for Humphries and Smith at Eissporthalle last summer was England's first World Cup win since 2016. It ensured Humphries enjoyed a triumphant World Cup debut and he is sure Littler will experience the same. Humphries added: 'As you saw when we won, the emotion that comes out of you, you don't expect it but it does because you're just so buzzing. 'It's really special and he will understand. He may even feel a little bit nervous at the start, or for the first game we play because all eyes are on us, everyone will be expecting us to be powerful every game we play. 'But I did say to him, it doesn't matter how we play as long as we win the trophy, that's what really matters. It will be a special feeling for him, as it was for me.'
Glasgow Times
38 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Luke Littler has Luke Humphries backing as English stars target glory in Germany
The two rivals will join forces in the 15th edition of the PDC event, which gets under way in Frankfurt on Thursday. Littler had previously claimed in April he would skip tournaments in Germany after being booed in Munich and Berlin that month, having faced similar treatment in September following defeat by Peter Wright in the German Championship final in Hildesheim. Defending champions England have been unveiled as the 4/11 pre-tournament favourites for the @BetVictor World Cup of Darts ahead of the annual 40-nation event. — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 4, 2025 But Premier League champion Humphries, who clinched World Cup success with Michael Smith last June, said: 'It's just about not getting involved in the crowd isn't it? 'We've just got to make sure that if they're on his back, I'll be there to say, 'don't worry about what they're doing, focus on your game' and if we play against Germany that's going to be hard but I think he'll learn from the occasions of playing against crowds that are hostile. 'I've been there, I've had it a little bit before and you just have to focus on the game and not worry about what is going on behind you.' Even though Littler has struggled with German crowds, Humphries plans to send the 18-year-old out to throw first when they begin their campaign in the second round on Saturday. 'I will probably put him first,' Humphries revealed. 'He is definitely the best scorer in the world. That's not a lie, it's obvious. So, you're going to put your strengths forward. You put him first, he is probably better at going for the bullseye than I am, getting the throws. 'Yeah, only if he's comfortable with it. If not, I'll go first but I played the anchor role last year. 'I felt really good going second, so maybe that is my role for this year as well.' Victory for Humphries and Smith at Eissporthalle last summer was England's first World Cup win since 2016. It ensured Humphries enjoyed a triumphant World Cup debut and he is sure Littler will experience the same. Humphries added: 'As you saw when we won, the emotion that comes out of you, you don't expect it but it does because you're just so buzzing. 'It's really special and he will understand. He may even feel a little bit nervous at the start, or for the first game we play because all eyes are on us, everyone will be expecting us to be powerful every game we play. 'But I did say to him, it doesn't matter how we play as long as we win the trophy, that's what really matters. It will be a special feeling for him, as it was for me.'
