https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm3zzpyz43o
Uriah Rennie is staying positive after acquiring a disability.
I remember him refereeing us a few times when he was just starting out. He was always a decent ref.
Anyone who thinks challenging racism in football is all 'a bit woke', it was only in the early-nineties when he first refereed a game at Christie Park, with us still in the Northern Premier League. Some neanderthal thought it was fine to shout "you black bastard" at him after a decision that they felt he'd got wrong. No action was taken, as back then, it was somehow considered 'acceptable', or 'just a joke', even if it made many of us in the area angry. "Just a joke" was the 80's & 90's version of "woke". We got a corner at the Christie Avenue end, the first time he'd been stood close to us. The voice said something like "fuck me, he's huge." Another voice (which may have been me) called in their direction, "and he does kick-boxing, so you'd better shut the fuck up".
They shut up.
Hope his recovery continues well.