Tributes paid to Uriah... whose first top-flight game was abandoned at Pride Park

TRAILBLAZING REFEREE RENNIE DIES AGED 65

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TRIBUTES have been paid to Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, whose first top-flight game in charge was at Pride Park Stadium and abandoned because of floodlight failure.

The trailblazing official was born in Jamaica before moving to Sheffield aged six with his family and went on to oversee more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 in the English top flight. He has been described as a “special person who put everybody before himself” following his death at the age of 65.

Rennie started refereeing locally in 1979 before making history on Wednesday, August 13, 1997 when taking charge of his first Premier League match between Derby County and Wimbledon at Pride Park.

It was the Rams’ first competitive game at their new home following their move from the Baseball Ground.

Eleven minutes into the second half against Wimbledon, the Rams led 2-1. But then the floodlights failed. In fact, all the lights failed.

After a delay of more than half-an-hour, Rennie abandoned the match.