Ex-Premier League referee Uriah Rennie ‘learning to walk again’

Uriah Rennie grew to become a well-known face to hundreds of thousands of soccer followers after turning into the Premier League’s first black referee.

As soon as described because the “fittest” match official in world soccer and a martial arts professional, he’s now studying to stroll once more after a uncommon situation left him paralysed from the waist down.

After spending 5 months in hospital, the 65-year-old has spoken to BBC Information about rehabilitation, his preventing spirit and a model new function.

Rennie, who officiated greater than 300 top-flight fixtures between 1997 and 2008, was on a birthday journey to Turkey final 12 months when he was hit with a sudden placing ache in his again.

“I assumed I had simply slept humorous on a solar lounger, I hoped to go paragliding however due to my backache I could not go,” he says.

“By the tip of the vacation I could not sleep a wink from the ache, and by the point I received residence I may barely stroll.”

Rennie made historical past in 1997 when he officiated a match between Derby County and Wimbledon, turning into the highest division’s first black referee.

Tall in stature and a kick-boxing and aikido professional, protesting gamers quickly found he was greater than comfy standing his floor throughout arguments.

A Justice of the Peace in Sheffield since 1996, he has campaigned for points reminiscent of enhancing equality and inclusion in sport, supporting psychological well being and tackling deprivation.

Rennie was on the verge of beginning a brand new function as Sheffield Hallam College chancellor when he was admitted to Northern Normal Hospital in October.

“I spent a month laid on my again and one other 4 months sitting in mattress,” he says.

“They stored me in hospital till February, they discovered a nodule pushing on my backbone and it was a uncommon neurological situation so it is not one thing they’ll function on.

“I’ve needed to study to maneuver over again, I am retraining my legs.”

“It was unusual – I went from working across the metropolis to in essence being in traction for such a very long time.

“I did not have any earlier again issues however fairly all of the sudden I wasn’t in a position to transfer and was in a spinal unit.”

Discussing his present motion, he says: “I can transfer my ft and I can stand with a body connected to my wheelchair however I must work on my glutes.”

He jokingly reveals the wheelchair scuffs on the skirting boards round his residence, with physiotherapy presently taking on a lot of his day.

“I rock round in my chair doing my workouts, I am an excellent, compliant affected person,” he laughs.

“It has been irritating however household and buddies have been invaluable, the hospital was completely excellent and the college has been distinctive.”

He formally begins as college chancellor in Could, a place he has been decided to take up regardless of his current experiences.

“I emphasised I wished to make a distinction to Sheffield and to communities right here,” he says.

“I carried on working with group sports activities groups whereas in hospital, directing them from my mattress.”

He studied for an MBA on the college throughout his refereeing profession and acquired an honorary doctorate in 2023 for his work with sport and native communities.

“I am aiming to be the most effective I can bodily,” he says.

“Nobody has advised me I will not stroll once more, however even when somebody did say that I would like to have the ability to say I did the whole lot I may to attempt.”

Rennie, who moved from Jamaica to the UK as a younger youngster and grew up within the Wybourn space of the town, says being the primary black referee was about “making a legacy to allow different individuals to face in your shoulders”.

Discussing his newest problem, he says the spinal wire compression has given him a brand new outlook on life.

“A number of persons are in wheelchairs, however it does not outline them,” he says.

“It has made me resilient and forceful and I’ll by no means hand over – I am not by myself, there’s a village serving to me.”

He concludes: “I recognise how brittle issues are in life now.

“I do not know if I’m going to stroll absolutely, however I do know what I must do to try to you have to by no means hand over hope.”