FPA Member Profile

What came first, sport or photography?
“Sport, although I was fortunate enough to go to a school with a dark room, so I took photography ‘O’ Level, and I had a really good photography teacher. Whilst working in a commercial photography studio I decided I wanted to move to London, and around that time I saw an advert in the British Journal of Photography for a job in the Allsport (now Getty Images) darkroom, and I quite fancied shooting some sport. I met John Gichigi and Ian Down and got the job.”

Who did you look up to as a youngster, and who were your mentors?
“My photography teacher at school – Michael Knight – was a massive influence. He treated his pupils with respect and was always very positive about our work. Rumour has it he was ex-SAS! Bob Martin was my mentor at Allsport. He lent me kit and always had time to go through pictures with me.”

Canon, Nikon or Sony?
“Nikon”

First football match photographed?
“The first would have been a local match on King George V playing fields in Colchester.”


Do you have a favourite memory or anecdote from your time as a football photographer?
“1992 photographing the Mights U’s (Colchester Utd) at Wembley, when the then Manager Roy McDonough won us the FA Trophy. Thanks to him hustling me into the dressing room I got to photograph the guys with the trophy, then they did the same for me, with it on my head!”

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
“I’ve always had an interest in graphic design, politics and music.”

Easiest one on one subject,and why?
“My favourite person to photograph was always Zinedine Zidane. I shot him a few times for Adidas and other clients and we always seem to hit it off, maybe because we have a similar haircut! Kaka was also a lovely guy. I just seemed to get on really well with both of them, and it was really nice to see them every time I shot them.”

Favourite football ground to work at, and why?
“Etihad Stadium, Manchester City. Because of the great backgrounds, and that lovely welcome from Rose in her tea room.”