31.05.12
Barclays announce winners of sports photography awards
The winners of the Barclays Sports Photographer and the Shot of the 20 Premier League Seasons awards have been announced.
Mark Leech scooped the Barclays Photographer of the 20 Seasons award and Robin Parker picked up the Barclays Shot of the 20 Seasons, honouring the best photographer and individual shot since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
With more than 50 of the best professional football photographers submitting hundreds of pictures from all seasons of the Premier League, the judges finally chose Mark Leech’s entry as the overall winner. Offside Sports photographer Leech submitted a portfolio of five images from the last 20 seasons of the English top flight, including an iconic shot of the legendary Brian Clough among the Nottingham Forest fans on the final day of the 1992/93 season, in addition to shots of Arsenal’s Ian Wright competing for the ball with former Blackburn keeper Tim Flowers during the 1997/98 campaign. A shot of Spurs’ David Ginola attempting a spectacular overhead kick against Arsenal at White Hart Lane in December 1997 was also included.
Leech said: “Being chosen as the Barclays Photographer of the 20 Seasons is the proudest moment of my career. It has been a huge privilege to cover all 20 seasons of the most exciting league in the world; from the Brian Clough era to the dramatic final day of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season, and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some of the most memorable moments. I’m very grateful for the continued support that Barclays shows for sports photographers like myself.”
Robin Parker of Fotosports International claimed the Barclays Shot of the 20 Seasons award with a dramatic photograph showing Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney scoring the memorable overhead winner in his side’s 1-0 triumph over neighbours Manchester City in the 2010/11 season – a goal that was recently voted the best goal in the Premier League’s history.
Parker said, “I’m delighted to win the prestigious Barclays Shot of the 20 Seasons award. For my photo to be chosen as the best shot in the history of the league is very humbling, and something I will cherish for the rest of my career. It was an iconic moment, and one that was seen all over the world, so to capture it in the way that I did was extremely satisfying.”
The judging panel included Kevin Wall, a Vice Chairman in Investment Banking, Barclays; Steve Bates, Chairman of the Football Writers’ Association; Alan Sparrow, President of the Guild of Picture Editors; Martin Tyler, Sky Sports commentator; and Hamish Brown, celebrated sport, music and celebrity photographer.
Kevin Wall of Barclays said: “Photography has played a major role in the history of the Barclays Premier League, and has brought to life the most memorable moments of the past 20 seasons. It has been a privilege to judge some of the most outstanding football photographs by the best photographers in the business, and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to both Mark and Robin on their awards.”
As Barclays Photographer of the 20 Seasons, Mark Leech receives an official Barclays award and £10,000 worth of photographic equipment, whilst Parker receives £5,000 of photographic equipment in addition to his Barclays Shot of the 20 Seasons award.
The winning images, together with selected entries from the Barclays Photographer of the 20 Seasons awards will be on show at the Barclays Premier League 20 Seasons Photography Exhibition, 18th-19th June 2012, Century Club, London. Visit http://bit.ly/BPL20Photo to reserve a spot on the guest list.
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