His performances during Crewe's 2006–07 campaign, where he was named in the League One "Team of the Year" despite Crewe's finishing only mid-table and scoring against Manchester United in the League Cup saw him come to the attentions of bigger clubs and consecutive £1m-plus transfers to the Championship followed, as he joined Charlton Athletic and then Derby County.

The Englishman signed for the Railwaymen in 2003 and spent four years at the club, appearing in 95 league games and scoring 27 goals.

Unfortunately, Varney picked up a shoulder injury during January 2004, denying him a chance of making any further appearances during the rest of the 2003–04 season.

[9] Varney's season however was cut short in March 2007 after breaking his toe in Crewe's 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

[13] After suffering from various niggling injuries, illness and a loss of form, Varney joined Sheffield Wednesday on a month's loan on 20 March 2009.

[16] New permanent Wednesday manager Alan Irvine signed Varney on loan for the remainder of the season on 21 January 2010.

[17] Despite Varney's goals he was unable to prevent Sheffield Wednesday slipping to relegation on the final day of the 2009–10 season and returned to Derby his future still very much up in the air.

Prior to the 2010–11 season, Varney was linked with a move to Southampton[18] but remained at Derby and played a part in the club's pre-season preparations, albeit often employed out of position at right back.

[22] On 27 August 2010, Varney joined newly promoted Premier League club Blackpool on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal in the region of £500,000.

[23] The following day he scored on his debut in the Seasiders' first Premier League match at Bloomfield Road, a 2–2 draw with Fulham.

He then scored his second goal for the club in a 4–3 away defeat to West Ham, deflecting in off Carlton Cole, after he volleyed Liam Lawrence's corner.

[34] After a number of weeks of rumours his signing for Leeds United was confirmed by manager, Neil Warnock on 23 July 2012.

[36] Varney made one and scored one in his competitive debut for Leeds in the first game of the season against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup on 11 August.

[40] Varney scored his second goal for Leeds in their 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup in January.

[46] On 1 July 2014, Varney signed a one-year deal with former loan club Blackburn Rovers after his release from Leeds United.

[48] He was injured in the Playoff Semi-Final game against Norwich City but remained at the club before signing permanently in December 2015, taking the number 42 shirt.

He scored once, a last-minute winner in his final game for the club, a 3–2 home win over MK Dons on 30 April 2016.

[54] Varney joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on 28 September 2018 after appearing on trial and scoring in a reserve team friendly against Hartpury College a few days earlier.

[62] Playing for Blackburn Rovers against Leeds in the 2014–15 season, Varney dived to win a penalty that proved to be decisive in the match.