Latest news with #SheffieldandHallamshireCountyFootballAssociation
ITV News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- ITV News
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 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. 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.' 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.'
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Uriah Rennie, Premier League's First Black Referee, Dies at 65
URIAH Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died aged 65, the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association said on Sunday. Jamaican-born Rennie, who grew up in Sheffield, made history in 1997 when he refereed a Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon. He went on to officiate over 300 matches - including 175 games in England's top flight. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the association said on social media. "Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time." Rennie retired in 2008 and it would be 15 years before another Black official took charge of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in 2023. In April, Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. "Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref," former England and Liverpool player Stan Collymore said on social media. "Rest in peace, Ref."
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Premier League's first Black referee Rennie dies aged 65
URIAH Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died aged 65, the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association said on Sunday. Jamaican-born Rennie, who grew up in Sheffield, made history in 1997 when he refereed a Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon. He went on to officiate over 300 matches - including 175 games in England's top flight. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the association said on social media. "Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this difficult time." Rennie retired in 2008 and it would be 15 years before another Black official took charge of a Premier League game, with Sam Allison officiating a match between Sheffield United and Luton Town in 2023. In April, Rennie told the BBC he was learning to walk again after being left paralysed from the waist down by a rare condition. "Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref," former England and Liverpool player Stan Collymore said on social media. "Rest in peace, Ref."
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, dies at 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. 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. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content '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. 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. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content '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.' ADVERTISEMENT 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.'
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Uriah Rennie, the Premier League''s first Black referee, dies at 65
Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died. He was 65. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted Sunday on X. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Uriah made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008," the statement said. "He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come." The Jamaica-born official grew up in Sheffield, northern England, and oversaw hundreds of matches starting with his breakthrough appointment when Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. That game was abandoned, however, because the stadium lighting failed. Rennie 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 confined him to a wheelchair. (AP)
