Over the years many staff moved on to work for rivals Allsport including Picture Desk Manager John Childs who left in 1997 along with photographer Laurence Griffiths.
It acquired the collection of FIFA Photographer Peter Robinson gained the reputation as a worldwide stock football agency covering global soccer tournaments.
[citation needed] On 11 May 2004, EMPICS Ltd was acquired by the Press Association with business partners Caroline Hodinott and Phil O'Brien eventually leaving the company to be managed by PA.[2] Past directors include award-winning photographers Ross Kinnaird, Steve Etherington, Neal Simpson and Phil O'Brien.
[citation needed] Past news photographers include Phil O'Brien and British Press Award winner Rob Rathbone.
photographers include Neal Simpson, Michael Egerton, Adam Davy, Steve Pond, Tony Marshall, Barry Coombs and John Walton.