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#Post#: 92885--------------------------------------------------
Uriah Rennie (1959-2025)
By: John Treleven Date: June 9, 2025, 12:29 am
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Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, died
Sunday 8th June 2025, aged 65.
Uriah Rennie 'broke down barriers' as the first black Premier
League referee. Rennie took charge of more than 300 matches
including 175 Premier League games. Rennie was the Premier
League's first black referee and officiated more than 300 games
between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches.
A Sheffield F.A. statement on Sunday night read: "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
matches between 1997 and 2008. "He broke down barriers, shaped
our football community and inspired generations to come."
Rennie was born in Jamaica 23rd October 1959, moved to Sheffield
as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city. He
started refereeing in local football in 1979 and made history on
August 13th 1997 when he led out Derby County and Wimbledon to
become the Premier League's first black referee. It was more
than 15 years after he retired in 2008 before a second black
referee took charge of a top flight game in England, with Sam
Allison overseeing Sheffield United v Luton on 26th December
2023.
Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and
campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion
in sport, mental health and tackling deprivation. He had a
master's degree in business administration and law and, in
November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield
Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport
and his work with South Yorkshire communities. Rennie had
revealed earlier this year that a rare health condition had left
him paralysed from the waist down. He had recently taken up a
role as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, saying he
wanted to use his position to help open up opportunities to
everyone.
#Post#: 92996--------------------------------------------------
Re: Uriah Rennie (1959-2025)
By: Timbo Date: June 15, 2025, 6:14 am
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RIP Uriah, one of the better referees of the Premier League era.
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