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Community helps shape art tribute to Uriah Rennie

Olivia HiskettYorkshire
Peter Byrne/ PA A man wearing a black football shirt stands in front of an out of focus crowd. His left arm is raised. He is wearing an ear piece and microphone on the right side of his face. He has a serious expression. Peter Byrne/ PA
Uriah Rennie's career in football spanned over 20 years

A public artwork in tribute to history-making referee Uriah Rennie is being developed with the help of the community.

Rennie, who was the Premier League's first black referee, died in June 2025 after being diagnosed with cancer.

In honour of the trailblazing official, members of the public were invited to collaborate with artist Nicole White to help shape the bespoke artwork.

The finished piece will go on display at the Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre in Arbourthone, which is due to be completed by Autumn 2028.

The event, organised by Sheffield City Council, took place at Springs Leisure Centre.

People were encouraged people to share their ideas, memories or reflections to explore Rennie's legacy in the city.

White said she hoped the consultation would bring together "different perspectives and different ways that he's impacted lives".

"We're going to try to make something that the community can be proud of," she added.

Both those who knew Rennie personally and others whose lives had been touched by his work came the event to share their connection to the man.

A man stands in front of a pink wall. He is softly smiling and wears a brown cap and blue puffer jacket over an orange zip-up jumper.
Colin Swaby met Uriah Rennie through football

Colin Swaby, 60, described him as a "trailblazer".

"He's done a lot for the community, but in particular people who are minorities and misrepresented," he said.

Levi Ashton, 34, Project Officer for the Sport Leisure and Major Events team at Sheffield City Council, engaged with schemes championed by Rennie as a child growing up in Arbourthorne.

"Uriah Rennie was an incredible character for the city and an absolute juggernaut of a man," he said.

"I'm really hoping that this leisure centre and public art piece in his name will allow young people from surrounding areas to come and say, 'wow, this person was from here, they've achieved all this and I can do that too'."

A young man stands outside of a grey building. His hands are behind his back. He is smiling broadly and wears glasses and a grey jumper. He has a black lanyard around his neck.
Levi Ashton said it would be a challenge to capture all the elements of Rennie's life in one piece of art

Rennie made history as the Premier League's first black referee in 1997 when he officiated a match between Derby County and Wimbledon.

During his 20-year career in football, he took charge of more than 300 top-flight matches.

His impact extended beyond football through his efforts to tackle deprivation, improve equality and inclusion in sport, and support mental health initiatives.

In 2023, he received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University for his work with local communities, before being appointed Chancellor in 2025.

Before he could fully begin his role as Chancellor, he died aged 65.

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