Ex-Premier League ref Uriah Rennie learning to walk again after five months in hospital

Former referee Uriah Rennie revealed that he is learning how to walk again after five months in hospital with a rare condition that left him paralysed from the waist down. Rennie, who officiated over 300 top-flight matches throughout his career, travelled to Turkey last year when back pain left him hospitalised.

The 65-year-old has now opened up on his condition, having been admitted to hospital in October and spending five months receiving treatment. "I thought I had just slept funny on a sun lounger, I was hoping to go paragliding but because of my backache I couldn't go," he told the of a holiday to Turkey. "By the end of the holiday I couldn't sleep a wink from the pain, and by the time I got home I could barely walk."

Rennie was admitted to hospital in Sheffield upon his return to the UK, explaining: "I spent a month laid on my back and another four months sitting in bed.

"They kept me in hospital until February, they found a nodule pushing on my spine and it was a rare neurological condition so it's not something they can operate on. I have had to learn to move all over again, I'm retraining my legs."

Rennie had been set to start a new position at Sheffield Hallam University as chancellor before he was struck down.

"It was strange - I went from running around the city to in essence being in traction for such a long time," he explained. "I didn't have any previous back problems but quite suddenly I wasn't able to move and was in a spinal unit.

"I can move my feet and I can stand with a frame attached to my wheelchair but I need to work on my glutes. I rock around in my chair doing my exercises, I'm a very good, compliant patient.

"It has been frustrating but family and friends have been invaluable, the hospital was absolutely superb and the university has been exceptional."

Rennie is remaining positive though and hopeful that despite the spinal cord compression, he will be able to walk again after physical therapy and support from those closest to him.

"I'm aiming to be the best I can physically," he added. "No one has told me I won't walk again, but even if someone did say that I want to be able to say I did everything I could to try.

"Lots of people are in wheelchairs, but it doesn't define them. It has made me resilient and forceful and I will never give up - I'm not on my own, there is a village helping me.

"I recognise how brittle things are in life now. I don't know if I am going to walk fully, but I know what I need to do to try and you must never give up hope."