'Uriah was a great man and would do anything for Nello'

NEIL 'Nello' Baldwin has paid tribute to the kindness of trailblazing referee and his very good friend Uriah Rennie.

- Peter Smith

Rennie, the first Premier League's first black referee who has died at the age of 65, was always eager to help Baldwin, whose life story going from circus clown to inspirational Stoke City kit man was made into Bafta-winning film Marvellous in 2015.

He became the official of choice for Neil Baldwin FC, a club formed at Keele University in 1967 which has since had honorary presidents including Gary Lineker and Kevin Keegan and honorary players including World Cup winner and former Stoke boss Alan Ball, although Baldwin has been player of the year each season.

Indeed, Rennie made a memorable cameo in Marvellous, wearing his full Premier League kit as he strolled over to say hello to Baldwin in front of stunned students - and later awarding a penalty for Baldwin, then booking the goalkeeper and ordering a re-take when it was saved.

Baldwin said: “I am very saddened to hear this news because Uriah was a very good friend of mine. We first met when Uriah was on a referees' training course at Keele University and we remained close friends.

“He was always very happy to drive long distances from his home in Sheffield to referee games of my football team, which of course was depicted in my film Marvellous, where he appeared in person. We enjoyed many good laughs together and he was, of course, a very good referee.”