In October 1996, not long after the formation of FURD (Football Unites, Racism Divides), I met
Uriah by chance in Meadowhall shopping centre. We got talking about his experience of racism
following his recent promotion to the Football League list. He said ‘I’m reffing Millwall v Bury next week at the New Den – why not come with me and see for yourself!’....So I did!
I accompanied Uri throughout all the build-up to the match, including the pre-match warm-up.
Millwall won the match 1-0 so the crowd were in generally good humour, with only sporadic
crowd misbehaviour. Uri contributed by regularly racing to the scene of a foul and getting there
before the fuse took fire and bringing calm to the situation. He was just really good at his job,
which didn’t end until 4am when we arrived back in Sheffield – and he still had his report to
write.
Uriah fully understood the power of football as a force for good and the ability to bring about
change. In 2022 he was approached just weeks before the World Cup was due to start in his
role as president of Hallam FC, who won the Youdan Cup in a final in 1867 at Bramall Lane
against Norfork FC. It is the oldest football cup in the world, and was played for by clubs in
Sheffield. The third party wanted to take the trophy out to the World Cup to be displayed, along
with the original Sheffield rules.
But Uri refused, saying he did not feel he could allow the cup to go because of the human rights
record of the hosts, Qatar, and because of comments made by officials about LGBTQ issues.
He said “Hallam FC is inclusive in all we do and to allow the cup to go would have been at odds
with the club’s beliefs and what the community believes. I want to see the same opportunities for everyone. Sometimes you have to take a stand.”
Uri had the common touch – there are numerous reports of him booking players in Sheffield
Sunday League games but not sending in details of the ‘lost’ yellow card offence! He understood the difference between the standards required in the Premier League and those on a Sunday morning, where enjoyment of the game is key.
became an elite FIFA referee because of his undeniable ability, and not just to tick a box. He
was a strong supporter of anti-racism causes, including FURD and the Fare Network, whilst his
fellow FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, has recently recalled how Uri and himself visited the grave of
Arthur Wharton, the world’s first black professional footballer and helped to keep his headstone
at Edlington Cemetery clean and cared for. (FURD had raised the funds to pay for a headstone
on Arthur’s unmarked grave in 1997)
Piara Powar from Fare told me, “Uriah was such a visible presence in the Premier League all
those years ago. As you say, part of his success was to be the first to the scene of a foul or
indiscretion and deal with it quickly. He also had this flamboyant air when making decisions, he
was never a show off but it wound people up. I always thought this demonstrability gave him a
very stylish air.
“When I met him he was just so chilled I could barely believe he was the same guy who bossed
all of those matches. He was of course a pioneer from the Black community in the UK, but he
was also the first major ethnic minority referee across the European leagues. Like all pioneers
he came so long before anyone else that we have barely caught up.
“I hope he gets to referee lots of matches where he has gone to. RIP”
PauI Archer, once FURD football coach - and Kyle Walker’s first coach – met Uri back in 1982.
He remembers “Sheffield Poly, now Sheffield Hallam, used to have the sports facilities for
football at Wentworth. I remember he came out onto the pitch and was immaculate in his refereeing outfit. He called the two captains together and explained how he would be refereeing
the match and he would let it flow as much as he could but would take no nonsense. True to his word, he let the game flow. He engaged with the players in a way that got their respect but they certainly knew he was in charge.
"In hindsight when I look back he was easily the best referee that refereed any of my
games that I’ve ever played in, but also knowing what I know now, he was top of his
game and he reached the highest level he could as a Premier League referee. Over
the years we met on various occasions but he was also involved in Sheffield hosting
the World Student Games, and we worked together in the team that arranged the facilities and
officials for the Games football tournament.
"He worked as the Sports Manager at Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Sheffield United used the facility for the players at the Centre of Excellence up to age 12. He could not do enough in
helping ensure the children made welcome and had a safe environment. He will most certainly be missed by so many”.
Brendon Batson, former member of the famous West Brom Three Degrees, and later deputy
chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, has paid this tribute:
“Uriah Rennie - a man whose destiny was to be the 1st black top-flight referee. A man who was
calm and self- assured with a presence that couldn’t be ignored...all the qualities needed to be a successful referee.
He was, however, more than that. Highly intelligent, he made sure he used that intellect to give back to his community by being a magistrate.
I remember him most fondly for being a passionate anti-racism advocate. I recall a Fare anti-racism event in Austria many years ago and as we walked through a pub-type venue to the room where the event was being held I could feel all eyes were on us. When we got to the room I turned to Uriah and said “if it gets ugly out there and things turn nasty I’m glad I’ve got you with me and don’t worry I’ll be right behind you!”. He just smiled at me in that self-assured manner and I knew I was in safe hands.
God bless you Uriah. It was a pleasure knowing you”.
On a personal level we became friends and sat together on a number of FA disciplinary panels.
I last spoke to him a few weeks ago after I heard from Brendon Batson that Uri was in a
wheelchair. He assured me that he was making progress and instead was more interested in
what I was up to, rather than discuss his own condition. Typical Uri, always caring first for other
people; so it was a huge shock to learn of his death at such a young age, with so much more to
give to the world.
Bye Uri, it was an honour to know you.
Uriah’s Funeral will take place at Sheffield Cathedral at 11.15 on Monday 14th July 2025.