This photo in from photographer Mark Leech (Offside Sports Photography) who organised a meeting of sports photographer Colin Elsey’s friends on the 10th September to mark the 10th anniversary of Colin’s death. Colin worked with the Colorsport photo agency.
↑ 10/9/2013 “A group of us outside his spiritual home, The Island Queen pub in Islington.”
Back row (l to r) Photographers unless stated – Eddie Keogh (Reuters), Nick Potts (PA) Nick Poynton (Spoofer and Rugby fan extraordinaire) Steve Bardens (Freelance),Stuart MacFarlane (Arsenal FC) Hugh Godwin (Rugby writer Independent on Sunday.
Front row: Nick Cain (Sunday Times rugby writer), David Rogers (Getty), Mark Leech (Offside), Shaun Botterill (Getty Images) Duncan Raban (Undefinable !) and Matt Impey (Freelance).
Godwin, McFarlane and Impey all worked with Colin at Colorsport.
↑ A shot of Colin ‘Big C’ Elsey who shot ‘The Mudman‘ photo regarded by many as the greatest rugby picture ever taken. Mud-splattered and weary forwards, even legendary British Lions, waiting for the final line-out of the afternoon in the rain and mud at Athletic Park, Wellington on July 17. 1977 seemed an unlikely setting for one of sport’s most inconic images.
All photos ©offsidesportsphotography
Thanks for taking time to organise the group photo Mark!