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The 42
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'Roy flipped… That image epitomises Uri. He was a black belt in kickboxing'
AS THE tributes poured in for ex-referee Uriah Rennie following news of his death at the age of 65 last week, one memorable image did the rounds. The Premier League's pioneering first black referee, who officiated over 300 fixtures between 1997 and 2008, proved a key figure during a match between Man United and Sunderland. 31 August 2002 was the date. The Saipan controversy and Roy Keane's abrupt World Cup exit were still fresh in people's minds. Ex-Ireland teammate Jason McAteer had been winding Keane up during the game. Less than 12 months earlier, the pair had been arm in arm following McAteer's famous winner against the Netherlands in a crucial World Cup qualifier. But the Red Devils captain and McAteer, a Mick McCarthy sympathiser, were no longer on good terms. The pair initially clashed while challenging for the ball. Keane won possession off the Black Cats midfielder, who proceeded to foul Keane. The incensed Man United star went for his opponent. Rennie stepped in, doing what not many referees of that era would have had the bravery to do and physically blocked one of English football's fiercest competitors from his attempts at retaliation. The two players continued mouthing off, and McAteer made a clear book-writing gesture about Keane's much-discussed new autobiography, which had been published the previous day. The Irish midfielder avoided a red card in that instance, but he was still dismissed minutes later for an off-the-ball elbow on McAteer. 'That's a very famous image,' says Ashley Hickson-Lovence, who wrote the 2022 novel 'Your Show,' based on Rennie's life. 'Jason McAteer made a comment about [Roy's] book, and Roy flipped. 'And, you know, that image epitomises Uri. He was a black belt in kickboxing, and he knew martial arts. He wasn't really meant to do that. You're not taught to do that. So that was him doing whatever needed doing to keep the game under control. I don't think the FA were a huge fan. I think there were a few comments that the FA made afterwards, saying that wasn't the best thing to do, or they don't encourage other referees to do that. 'Actually, it was funny because Roy Keane didn't get sent off in that moment. He did get sent off in the game, but he managed to stop Roy Keane attacking Jason McAteer at that point. So that would have been a warning of sorts, to Roy, to behave himself. 'Uri was such a character, and someone who sometimes didn't do things by the book, to do the best that he could as a role of a referee, which is obviously really tough.' While writing 'Your Show,' Hickson-Lovence got to know Rennie, 'a hero' to the young author, who credits the trailblazer for his subsequent stint as an amateur referee. Advertisement The book had started life as the student's PhD at the University of East Anglia. The then-English teacher gained access to Rennie's email address through a friend of a friend, and the ex-referee was initially reluctant about cooperating with the project. Hickson-Lovence needed to 'really sell myself' before Rennie agreed to meet him at the Ponds Forge leisure centre in Sheffield. 'I had to give him a screenshot of my profile as a teacher from the school website and that sort of thing,' he recalls. The pair met up 'four or five times,' and these conversations would help inform the writing of 'Your Show' — a novel that was also a biography of sorts. 'The more we got talking, the more he sort of loosened up, and we warmed to each other, and I listened back to our conversation after his passing, and just listened back to our interviews, and there was a lot of laughter, and that was lovely to hear.' Despite multiple old reports simply describing Rennie as 'English,' Hickson-Lovence discovered he had been born in Jamaica. 'To make that rise from Jamaica to a very rough estate in Sheffield in the '70s, refereeing in the lower leagues, in the semi-professional game in the '80s, in Yorkshire, would have been incredibly tough. And that's something I don't know, because he didn't really talk about it with me, to be honest. And then, to make it to the Premier League in 1997 with increased cameras, scrutiny, Sky Sports, all that sort of thing, it's one hell of an achievement. 'He arrived in Sheffield in 1972, and he qualified as a referee in 1979, and I do think it was a difficult time. 'He lived in a relatively small, modest house with a lot of brothers and sisters. So, especially when he was a young man, sport was his escape. 'I think [his story is] film-worthy, if I do say so myself.' The pair became increasingly close, and as the novel was getting ready for publication, Rennie commended Hickson-Lovence on 'a very good read'. Completing the project was a major coup. Rennie rarely accepted interviews following his retirement. Hickson-Lovence suspects part of this mistrust was due to some of the unkind journalism written about the former referee in his heyday. 'Even when the book was released, I had requests from The Guardian, The Observer and lots of other publications who wanted to do interviews and things about the book together, and he didn't want to do that. And I accepted and respected that decision. 'I would message him to say: 'By the way, so and so wants to do something, I think they're quite trusted,' or whatever. And he would just say: 'Not for me.' Sort of a polite decline.' He continues: 'I think [doing interviews] had to be for a good reason. I suppose he didn't want it to have a sort of journalistic slant or angle. I imagine he wanted it to be a book that had longevity, or would inspire others of colour or marginalised groups to get involved in football and refereeing, particularly. 'But that being said, he didn't really get involved, apart from the interviews. He let me do what I wanted to do.' Rennie refereed over 300 professional games. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Hickson-Lovence and Rennie stayed in touch following the project's conclusion and would regularly message one another. They spoke on the phone for a couple of hours about Rennie's pride following his appointment as the Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University and the 'open-door policy' he planned to have. He was only installed in the position last month. 'He wanted to really break down the barriers in terms of what a university is and what a university should be, and how that relationship would work with the wider Sheffield community.' Rennie, who was also a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996, earlier this year expressed his sympathy after Hickson-Lovence's father passed away. Uri's recent message to me after my dad died. A kind man with a big heart. RIP Uriah Rennie ❤️ — Ashley Hickson-Lovence (@AHicksonLovence) June 9, 2025 During their conversations, it was sometimes notable what was left unsaid. Last April, Rennie told the BBC about how doctors found a nodule on his spine caused by a rare, inoperable neurological condition. The man once described as the Premier League's fittest referee had to learn to walk again. Hickson-Lovence recalls how Rennie didn't mention his illness during their lengthy interactions, and it was only later that he found out the iconic figure had been ill. 'He was quite a private man. And I think he just didn't want to make it all about him, so to speak. 'He was a very selfless man. And all of my interactions with him, it was striking to me how much he cared about other people and the community and putting others first. 'I just think he saw his role as helping others, community and humanity first. And everything he did had to have the right purpose, and if it wasn't going to help anybody, or if it wasn't going to have a lasting impact, or it wasn't going to inspire, then he just wouldn't do it. I'm not just talking about the book. I'm talking about anything he does, because he's a patron of several charities. He goes into schools, he goes into care homes, he's done walking marathons and half marathons. He's done all sorts to raise money for charities. Charities became his thing, and community became his thing. 'It's weird, because I think of Uriah Rennie's legacy now more as a human than actually a referee, having met him and done the research, it feels like he just had such a bigger impact. He had a huge impact on the pitch, but his impact in Sheffield and South Yorkshire cannot be understated, really. 'He knew everybody. And if it was a charity [making a request], he wouldn't say no.' In December 2023, Sam Allison became the Premier League's second-ever black referee, 15 years after Rennie's retirement. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Despite his remarkable achievements, Hickson-Lovence believes Rennie remains a somewhat underappreciated footballing figure. 'I do think the Premier League should have done more to use Uri's legacy to get more officials of colour up through the system. It's not good enough that it was 15 years since his retirement that we had Sam Allison [the Premier League's second black referee], and I still don't think [it's acceptable], considering how culturally diverse the top level game is in the UK, that we don't have more officials of colour, and managers and coaches as well.'
Irish Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former Ireland coach and international favourite to take over Brentford
Ex-Ireland international and former assistant Keith Andrews has been installed as favourite to take over Brentford following the departure of Thomas Frank. Frank was announced as the new Tottenham manager late on Thursday, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal to end his illustrious tenure with the London-based outfit. And with the search for a new manager underway, former Ireland international Keith Andrews has been installed as hot favourite to take over the role. Andrews played 35 times for Ireland between 2008 and 2012 and retired from professional football in 2015. Since then, Andrews has been involved in coaching and was recently part of Stephen Kenny's backroom staff with Ireland as well as working with Brentford under Thomas Frank as their set piece coach. Betfair have released their odds for the vacant managerial post with Andrews priced at 1/9 after seeing his odds slashed on Friday afternoon to 1/9 while Kieran McKenna has drifted to 10/3 Other names mentioned for the job are Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen and Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Rohl. Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: 'Odds have been slashed on Keith Andrews to become the next permanent Brentford manager with the Bees looking to move quickly to replace Thomas Frank, who joined Tottenham on Thursday. Andrews is now the 1/9 favourite to take the job, having been 6/5 on Friday morning and as long as 22/1 when the market opened. 'Kieran McKenna follows at 10/3 to make an immediate return to the Premier League, with Ange Postecoglou alongside Danny Rohl at 9/1.' If he does get the job, Andrews will become the first Republic of Ireland international to manage in England's top flight since Chris Hughton with Brighton.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Evan Ferguson given reality check after Newcastle and Everton transfer links
Evan Ferguson has been told he doesn't need to leave the Premier League to get his career back on track. The former Bohemians forward burst onto the scene at Brighton in 2022, attracting interest from European heavyweights and even being valued at £100million. However, Ferguson's career has stalled over the last couple of years. He endured a barren 33-game streak without a goal at Brighton, which he only snapped last October. Then, after struggling for game time with the Seagulls, he had a fruitless loan spell at West Ham, which yielded no goals in eight appearances. With Brighton willing to cash in on the Ireland international, Newcastle, Everton and Bournemouth have been credited with an interest, while Celtic have also been mentioned as a potential destination. Ex-Ireland defender Richard Dunne, who began his career in English football at Everton, has faith that Ferguson can get his career back on track. Asked if the youngster should consider leaving the Premier League, Dunne, 45, told William Hill: 'Sometimes in football, you just have moves that don't work out or moments that don't work out. 'I remember when I started off at Everton, I played 10 or 11 games, thought I had done really well, came back the next season and never played a game. 'You have ups and downs throughout your career and it's just about how you react. I'm sure Evan will be desperate to get playing next year and if that means moving up the Premier League or down the Premier League, whatever it may be, I'm sure he'll do it.' Dunne believes Ferguson may just need one pre-season to discover the form that made him such a hot property. The former Manchester City and Aston Villa centre-back added: 'He's also a player who can turn back up in pre-season. 'He can score 10 goals in pre-season and become a number nine because he's a very, very good footballer. He just needs a run of games, a bit of confidence and a couple of goals. 'There'll be a hundred options for Evan in the summer and it's just sort of making sure he gets the one which is focused on him playing week in, week out.' Meanwhile, former Ireland and Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given believes Ferguson needs to move on for the good of both his club and international career. Per the Daily Record, Given said: 'Maybe because he burst onto the scene that everyone's been expecting so much so soon. But again, with young players, you need to have a bit of time. 'I just feel he's ready now to burst onto the scene for a full season with somebody. For us, with Ireland, it would be great too. "I don't know if the finances would be to buy him, but if you said for a loan for the season, it would be perfect. But I'm not the financial power at Celtic or Newcastle, so I don't know.'
Irish Examiner
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sligo midfielder Doyle-Hayes sues Hibs over injury caused by manager's tackle
Ex-Ireland U21 midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes is suing his former club Hibernian over an injury he suffered in a tackle by his then-manager. Doyle-Hayes (26) lodged a compensation action against the Scottish Premiership club at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday. His legal team claims the midfielder's career had been "greatly restricted" by the ankle issue sustained in a tackle by Lee Johnson in 2022. The Cavan native is currently at Sligo Rovers, whom he joined in February, but his representatives insist in their case: "Jake's career has been derailed by mismanagement and ineptitude. A career has been lost to this athlete." Doyle-Hayes joined Aston Villa as a trainee, moving on to play for St Mirren in Scotland. He spent four years at Hibernian, making only 69 appearances, due to his playing time 'being hampered by injury over the last two seasons". This stemmed from what Thompsons Solicitors described as "horrific injuries" suffered in the incident during the training session, leading to surgery on his ankle. They argue that, without the injury, his career would have continued at a higher level. A figure of compensation being sought wasn't disclosed, only that the potential loss of earnings was substantial. Joel Shaw, partner at the firm, said: "The impact of this has greatly restricted his career. "These injuries should never have happened and were incurred due to incompetent and incoherent decisions made by his manager. "Jake's career has been derailed by mismanagement and ineptitude. A career has been lost to this athlete." Johnson was sacked by Hibs in August 2023. A Hibs spokesperson told the BBC they were aware of the claim.
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘This isn't a hobby' – Ger Nash insists he and David Meyler are ‘all in' on Cork City after recruiting ex-Ireland star
GER NASH insisted that he and new assistant David Meyler are 'all-in' as they look to transform Cork City. The Rebels host champions Shelbourne this evening in the final game before the summer break looking for their first win in seven games. 2 Ger Nash vowed he and David Meyler are all in on Cork City Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile 2 Ex-Ireland international Meyler has been appointed as his assistant Credit: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile Nash, 38, only took charge last week ahead of the loss to Galway United that sees them joint bottom of the table. And he has moved quickly to bring in an assistant with former Ireland midfielder Meyler Meyler, 36, will move from Hull City where he was Under-18 coach, just as Nash has moved from Gothenborg, where he was GAIS assistant manager. And Nash believes both men have shown their commitment as they look to restore City to former glories. Read More on League of Ireland He said: 'We're both all-in on this, this isn't a hobby, this isn't a part-time gig, this is both of us devoting our lives to hopefully bringing Cork City back to where we believe it should be. 'That's what our motivation is. We're both going to be here, you'll see us at the training ground every day and that's what we're going to do. Time will tell if we can get that right.' And the big change that will be seen immediately is that Nash has told players that there will be more work in the coming weeks as he puts his stamp on the team. He said: 'When any manager comes in you look at what you want to do. Most read in Football 'We'll be improving the training time in terms of the amount of time we're on the pitch, simple. 'The amount of time we're training, the amount the players are working, going for double sessions for example. Cork City fans watch League of Ireland clash against Dundalk in cinema 'It's a huge club, even more so as a one-city club. 'It's unique here in terms of the passion of the fans, the directness of the fans, you know how they're feeling and I think that is incredibly powerful when the team is going well. 'That's what I want to bring back.' Meyler and Nash have never worked together before, though their paths crossed briefly in the FAI where Nash was a high performance coach and Meyler worked with the Under-17s. But Meyler, who won 26 Ireland caps, jumped at the chance to take a position at Turner's Cross, where he began his career as a teenager before being signed by Roy Keane at Sunderland . Meyler said: 'Since retiring from playing, I have really enjoyed the coaching side of the game and this is an opportunity that I am really looking forward to. 'I have spoken to Ger at length about the role and I am excited about what lies ahead. 'I know that Ger is very keen to have a really strong Cork representation among the players and staff and, as both a Corkman and a former player, this club means a lot to me and I will do everything in my power to help us progress.'
