RIP Uriah Rennie

[PotterLog]

The two main Uriah memories being shared from the Potteries:

In approx 2004 Stoke were playing Millwall. The game stopped for a foul and gobby Dennis Wise started giving shit to our CB Gerry Taggart. Gerry was having none of it, grabbed Wise by the throat and forced him down onto the ground, pinning him there with his knee while basically strangling him. Wise was flailing like a stuck beetle. This went on for about 10 seconds and unfolded right under the nose of Uriah, who just stook there watching completely impassively, a benign smile on his face. There's an iconic photo. Gerry, probably assuming he was about to get sent for an early bath, finally decided he'd got his point across, released Wise and to everyone's amazement simply jogged away no need for anything rash like a talking-to or yellow card from Rennie, play on lads. It is Dennis Wise after all..... so he's a legend in Stoke just for that.

But the other, more significant, thing is that he was a good friend of Stoke-on-Trent legend, clown, fan, kit man, socialite and ambassador Neil "Nello" Baldwin, whose story is told in the film Marvellous (in which Rennie also appears). Uriah would always go out of his way to travel and referee games for his eponymous team Neil Baldwin FC - usually doing the honours and spotting a "foul" in the box for Nello to tuck away a last-minute penalty.

What a guy and a very sad loss. Thoughts with his loved ones and those who knew him in Sheffield

 

[Rufus Smalls]

He reffed me a few times back in the early 80’s when he was making his way through the local leagues.

Always had a good game and loads of positive banter with players on both sides. Always had a smile on his face and would take time to explain his decisions during the game.

The last couple of times I had the pleasure of chatting to him were both at the Kelham Island Christmas Market a few years back where I would bump into him and his other half. Had a laugh and a few words about the good old days of amateur football.

A true gentleman. RIP.

 

[INTAKE BLADE]

He was my best mate at school (Hurlfield) Uri and his sister used to get the school bus from Wybourn, cracking bloke, RIP Uri

 

[Northernsoulblade]

A lovely man RIP

 

[MobileBlade]

Lovely tribute from Andy Hogg this week
www.southyorkshiresport.co.uk

 

[Mouth of the South]

I'm pleased his loss is being recognised so widely. A very nice man and a top ref - a true groundbreaker.

 

[WalkelyFan]

I used to teach at an FE college and one of the tasks that students did was to organise a five a side tournament. Uri kindly agreed to present the prizes (by this time he was PL ref) and came along to did so. The students were in absolute awe!