Since Uriah Rennie hung up his whistle in 2008, there have been no black referees in the Premier League. Before him there were none too.
It is a shocking failure of representation that amazes and angers in equal moderation and furthermore it is confounding given that in every other area of the game sincere strides have been taken to ensure football is inclusive.
On the pitch, 33% of British players in Premier League line-ups are from BAME backgrounds.
In recent years, schemes have been launched to open up pathways to young black and Asian coaches. It is the aim of the Kick It Out campaign to tackle all forms of discrimination, including in the stands.
Concerning the man in the middle however, there have been literally hundreds of top-flight officials since the Premier League was founded in 1992. All but one have been white.
Or to put it another way, in the direct words of our cult hero himself: “There is, and will only be, one Uriah Rennie,” and if you believe that remark smacks of arrogance, you’re absolutely right, it is arrogant.
After all, it can only be imagined the levels of self-belief needed to blaze a refereeing trail from grassroots football to the big time when you’re from a BAME background.
Let’s not forget too, that this is a man who Kevin Keegan once said of post-game: “People should write about Uriah Rennie because that’s what he wants.”
You may also however detect a good dose of humour accompanying his words and again, that’s entirely correct.
Unlike the automatons of today, Rennie reffed over 300 Premier League clashes during an era when officials could gently tease players, and his sense of humour often calmed tempers that were fraying in the centre-circle.
It should also be noted, that his jokey aside was part of a bigger conversation, with Rennie stating he was confident the ‘next black man in the middle in the Premier League is just round the corner’.
In 2020, having grown frustrated at the lack of progress made in this regard, he was elected on to the FA’s referee’s committee with the aim of improving 'equality of opportunities'.
Even 14 years retired, he is a game-changer and though there is of course no Premier League odds for this, don’t back against the situation getting better now that Rennie is involved.
#OTD in 1998, Ole Gunnar Solskjær committed one of the finest ever red card offences against Newcastle United.
— These Football Times (@thesefootytimes) April 18, 2022
But look at the pace of Uriah Rennie. Big man put the burners on to catch Ole. pic.twitter.com/8NdJ0o84OM
To become one of the Premier League’s greatest referees and remain at the top for as long as Rennie did, required attributes above and beyond mere aptitude.
A certainty in his decision-making was one such trait and being a magistrate of many years standing in his hometown of Sheffield aptly lent itself to doling out punishment to errant midfielders.
Indeed, it could be said only a costume-change was needed to differentiate his day job and weekend profession.
Being a martial arts black belt also ensured he had the respect of players. Famously, in 2002 Rennie prevented a major flare-up involving Jason McAteer and Roy Keane by manhandling the latter and not many can claim to have got away with that without retribution. Keane was later sent off in that game too.
A stickler for the rules he may have been, but Rennie was also firmly fair, though Newcastle fans may disagree after perceiving to be on the wrong end of several decisions from the referee down the seasons.
This explains Keegan’s comment from earlier and with our Premier League predictions tipping a rollercoaster campaign for the Magpies ahead, they’ll no doubt be relieved ‘Uri’ is long retired.
For the rest of us though, he is greatly missed, for he was a character and he had presence. He was also fearless. But most of all, he was really, really good at what he did.
There is, and will only be, one Uriah Rennie.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 24th August 2022
