BEHIND THE CAMERA:

Yorkshire photographer Andrew Varley

In an occasional series of picture specials, we celebrate the work of Yorkshire photographers – this week we feature the work of Andrew Varley.

IF THERE is a defining image from a Yorkshire sports event, there is a good chance that Andrew Varley was behind the lens – if not, his father or his son.

Mr Varley’s career began in 1975 when he was still in school and joined Hickes Photographers “for the grand old sum of £1 a day”, he said.

This was after his father, Doncasterborn Daily Mirror photographer John Varley – whose images include the famous 1970 shot of Pelé exchanging shirts with Bobby Moore at the World

Cup in Mexico – decided that his son “wasn’t going to be sat at home kicking my heels in the school holiday”.

After leaving school, he joined the firm properly and earned a company moped, before going over to the Mercury Press in Liverpool. In the late 1970s, he set up as a freelance sports photographer aged just 18 and says he has not looked back since.

He has travelled around the world – to Europe with Leeds United, to Australia and nearby nations with rugby league, and to America for the golf.

Mr Varley, 60, said: “I always loved sport because it’s so photogenic.”

Having covered Leeds United for so many years – an image from his first trip to Elland Road was of Duncan McKenzie jumping over a Mini – he is pleased to see them back in the Premier League.

“I’ve been through everything with them,” said the Leeds man.

Mr Varley’s son, Jack, 32, also works with him part-time and will likely take over his father’s archives one day.

■ Follow his work on Twitter @andrewvarley

1. Leeds United manger Marcelo Bielsa lifts the Championship trophy last week. 2. Ellery Hanley playing for Great Britain in the 1985 test series against New Zealand. 3. A badly injured father comforts his young son after a barrier collapsed at the Liverpool v Juventus European Cup final in 1985. 4. Australian forward Dave Brown offloads the ball in the first test against Great Britain at Sydney Cricket ground in 1984. 5. British RL players in Australia in 1989. From left, Ellery Hanley , Andy Currier, Martin Offiah, Hugh Waddell, Joe Lydon, Shaun Edwards and Garry Schofield. 6. Leeds United’s Gary Speed and David Batty celebrate Speed’s goal against Spurs in the 1991-92 season. 7. Mark Viduka celebrates a Leeds United goal in 2000 against Besiktas. 8. At Paul Reaney’s testimonial in May 1976 Duncan McKenzie proves he can leap over a Mini. 9. England’s Kevin Keegan fouled in the 1980 European championships 10. David McNiven scores for Leeds United against Manchester City in 1976.