Latest news with #SheffieldHallamUniversity
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tributes to 'proud Sheffielder' and referee Rennie
Trailblazing former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has been described as a "proud Sheffielder" who will be sadly missed in his adopted hometown. Rennie was the top flight's first black referee and took charge of more than 300 matches between between 1997 and 2008. Outside of football he worked as a magistrate and, last month, took up the role of chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. Rennie's partner, Jayne, and his older brother, Glenroy, said he would be "so very sadly missed", following his death aged 65. In a statement, they said: "Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during the past few weeks at such a difficult time." His family said he had been "privately battling a recent cancer diagnosis" prior to his death. Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to Sheffield as a child. In April he revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down. Former sports minister Richard Caborn said Sheffield had "lost one of its favourite sons". Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Caborn, a former MP for Sheffield Central, said: "He was born in Jamaica but he was adopted by this city and adopted by the great sport of football. "I was with him a couple of weeks ago at Weston Park Hospital and he was really on great form, so last night when I received the news it was really, really sad news because we thought he was on the mend." Caborn said he had been "really, really proud" to have been appointed the new chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. The university's vice chancellor, Liz Mossop, said Rennie had been a "trailblazer for inclusion in sport", as well as a "man of great integrity with a fierce commitment to equity and inclusion". She added: "On behalf of the entire University community I want to express our shock and sadness at the news of Uri's death. "Uri had only just begun his role as the University's Chancellor, but even in this short time he had already made a profound impact, challenging us to be bolder in our ambitions and how we should truly live our values. We were greatly looking forward to working with him." "Uri was a proud Sheffielder and family man, deeply committed to the city and to helping people from resilient communities to achieve their potential." South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard offered his condolences to Rennie's family and "many, many friends". "He broke down barriers and lifted others up," Coppard said. "As well as his work in football, he campaigned to promote inclusion in sport and worked as a magistrate in Sheffield. May his memory be a blessing." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. First black Premier League referee Rennie dies aged 65 Uriah Rennie installed as university chancellor 'I was a Premier League referee, but now I'm learning to walk again'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tributes to 'proud Sheffielder' and referee Rennie
Trailblazing former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has been described as a "proud Sheffielder" who will be sadly missed in his adopted hometown. Rennie was the top flight's first black referee and took charge of more than 300 matches between between 1997 and 2008. Outside of football he worked as a magistrate and, last month, took up the role of chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. Rennie's partner, Jayne, and his older brother, Glenroy, said he would be "so very sadly missed", following his death aged 65. In a statement, they said: "Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during the past few weeks at such a difficult time." His family said he had been "privately battling a recent cancer diagnosis" prior to his death. Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to Sheffield as a child. In April he revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down. Former sports minister Richard Caborn said Sheffield had "lost one of its favourite sons". Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Caborn, a former MP for Sheffield Central, said: "He was born in Jamaica but he was adopted by this city and adopted by the great sport of football. "I was with him a couple of weeks ago at Weston Park Hospital and he was really on great form, so last night when I received the news it was really, really sad news because we thought he was on the mend." Caborn said he had been "really, really proud" to have been appointed the new chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. The university's vice chancellor, Liz Mossop, said Rennie had been a "trailblazer for inclusion in sport", as well as a "man of great integrity with a fierce commitment to equity and inclusion". She added: "On behalf of the entire University community I want to express our shock and sadness at the news of Uri's death. "Uri had only just begun his role as the University's Chancellor, but even in this short time he had already made a profound impact, challenging us to be bolder in our ambitions and how we should truly live our values. We were greatly looking forward to working with him." "Uri was a proud Sheffielder and family man, deeply committed to the city and to helping people from resilient communities to achieve their potential." South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard offered his condolences to Rennie's family and "many, many friends". "He broke down barriers and lifted others up," Coppard said. "As well as his work in football, he campaigned to promote inclusion in sport and worked as a magistrate in Sheffield. May his memory be a blessing." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. First black Premier League referee Rennie dies aged 65 Uriah Rennie installed as university chancellor 'I was a Premier League referee, but now I'm learning to walk again'
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie dies aged 65
Uriah Rennie, the first black Premier League referee, has died at the age of 65. The Jamaica-born official grew up in Sheffield and oversaw more than 300 matches starting with his breakthrough appointment as Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. The game was, however, abandoned to due floodlight failure. Advertisement The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted on X: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie. '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. 'Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time.' Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later, with his retirement coming in 2008. Advertisement In November 2023 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities. However he told BBC News in April how, while on holiday in Turkey last year, he felt severe pain in his back and doctors discovered he had an inoperable neurological condition that left him wheelchair-bound. 'I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,' he said. 'They kept me in hospital until February, they found a nodule pushing on my spine and it was a rare neurological condition so it's not something they can operate on. Advertisement '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.' Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore posted on X: 'Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, ref.' Rennie had been the honorary president of Sheffield side Hallam FC at the time of his death while both Sheffield United and Wednesday also paid tribute to the referee, saying the clubs' 'thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Uriah Rennie cause of death: Grieving colleagues reveal Premier League's first black referee's new secret battle with illness after he died aged 65
Uriah Rennie's cause of death appears to have been revealed by Sheffield Hallam University, where the former referee was named the new chancellor of the institute in early May. Rennie passed away at the age of 65 on Saturday, June 7. During his career refereed over 300 matches between 1997 and 2008 and was once branded the 'fittest' official in world football. However, his life was turned upside down last year when he was diagnosed with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down. Rennie was told by doctors that he had an inoperable neurological condition and he revealed earlier this year that he was learning to walk again after spending several months in hospital. Yet after revealing the news on their website, Sheffield Hallam University has shared the sad news that Rennie was battling cancer. 'Uri was a loving, father, partner, brother and uncle, who will be very sadly missed,' the institute wrote on their website. 'He had been privately battling a recent cancer diagnosis, and the family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.' His partner Jayne and brother Glenroy added: 'Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during the past few weeks at such a difficult time. 'Uri will be so very sadly missed.' Aside from his career in football, Rennie was remembered as a key pillar of the community in Sheffield. The University stated: 'After his retirement from refereeing in 2005, he continued to work in his beloved city of Sheffield, working to support local communities and with numerous charities, campaigning on a range of issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport and supporting mental health.' Rennie was an icon of the Premier League in the early noughties, and the tragic news of his passing has since been greeted with a wave of love and affection from those who knew him or shared the field with him. 'We are saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie,' read a statement from Sheffield United. 'Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.' Stan Collymore also paid tribute to Rennie, writing on X: 'Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref.' The Premier League icon had been named the chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in May Rennie had recently revealed that he needed to learn how to walk again following the diagnosis of the rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down 'I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,' he told BBC News. 'They kept me in hospital until February, 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 have had to learn to move all over again, I'm retraining my legs. I can move my feet and I can stand with a frame attached to my wheelchair but I need to work on my glutes.' Rennie was set to start in his role as Sheffield Hallam University's new chancellor after previously being awarded an honorary doctorate, before he was admitted to hospital.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Uriah Rennie, Premier League's first black referee, dies aged 65
Uriah Rennie, the first black Premier League referee, has died at the age of 65. The Jamaica-born official grew up in Sheffield and oversaw more than 300 matches starting with his breakthrough appointment as Derby County hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. The game was, however, abandoned because of floodlight failure. The Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted on X: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie. '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. 'Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time.' Uriah Rennie has continued to blaze a trail every step of his journey. Here is the story of the Premier League's first black referee… #NoRoomForRacism — Premier League (@premierleague) October 28, 2024 Former PGMOL chief and Telegraph Sport columnist Keith Hackett labelled Rennie as the 'fittest referee he has ever seen'. Rennie became a Fifa-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later, with his retirement coming in 2008. In November 2023 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities. However, he told BBC News in April how, while on holiday in Turkey last year, he felt severe pain in his back and doctors discovered he had an inoperable neurological condition that left him wheelchair-bound. 'I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed,' he said. 'They kept me in hospital until February, they found a nodule pushing on my spine and it was a rare neurological condition so it's not something they can operate on. '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.' Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore posted on X: 'Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, ref.' Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref. — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 8, 2025 Rennie had been the honorary president of Sheffield side Hallam FC at the time of his death while both Sheffield United and Wednesday also paid tribute to the official, saying the clubs' 'thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.'
