‘True trailblazer’ – Uriah Rennie passes away aged 65 as tributes pour in for ex-Premier League referee
Former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has passed away aged 65.
Rennie was remembered as a 'true trailblazer' given he made history in 1997 when he became the English top-flight's first black match official, before going on to referee over 300 matches in the division.
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A statement from the FA read."The FA Refereeing Department is saddened to hear of the passing of former FIFA and Premier League referee, Uriah Rennie.
"Uriah will forever be remembered as a true trailblazer of the game.
"Our thoughts are with Uriah's family and friends at this time."
Championship club Sheffield United paid tribute to the 65-year-old on X.
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"Sheffield United are saddened to learn of the passing of popular and trailblazing referee Uriah Rennie," the post read.
"Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time."
Former Liverpool and Aston Villa forward Stan Collymore wrote: "Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie.
"A pioneer, trailblazer and bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref."
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Rennie's tragic passing comes two months after he revealed he was learning to walk again following his diagnosis of a rare neurological condition.
In an interview with the BBC, Rennie thought he'd 'just slept funny on a sun lounger' while on holiday in Turkey.
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Sadly, it turned out to be a life-altering condition.
"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," Rennie said.
Upon returning, he was admitted to Northern General Hospital last October and informed by doctors he had an inoperable neurological condition.
"I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed," Rennie 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.
"I have had to learn to move all over again, I'm retraining my legs."
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A magistrate in his home town of Sheffield since 1996, Rennie was on the verge of starting a new role as Sheffield Hallam University chancellor when he first went to hospital.
Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to the UK at the age of six.
Rennie began officiating in local leagues in 1979 and was given his first Premier League assignment in 1997, a clash between Derby County and Wimbledon.
Paying tribute on talkSPORT, Nottingham Forest and England legend Stuart Pearce said: “He was a real character within the game as well. A trailblazer as well for referees.
“And that was an era where you could actually talk to the referee on the pitch.
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“I think he was a very good referee. It's sad news for us, it really is.”
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."