Ex-Southampton FC photographer dies in Kenya aged 73

Mike Atkelsky, one of the city's most well-respected photographers, was best known at Saints for approaching 20 years.

Supporting the team at every match, home and away, he also recorded the closing down of the club’s historic ground, The Dell.

He worked around the world taking images of the rich and famous, including in his role as  photographer of the iconic cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2.

Mike Atkelsky previously worked for Southampton FC and the Daily Echo (Image: Family)

It was on the QE2 that Mike met his wife Geraldine, who worked in the ship’s on-board shop. They married in July 1979, before settling in the Northlands Road area of Southampton.

Speaking from their home in Vipingo, Kenya, Mike's daughter Alex, now 35 and married, said: "My dad was a wonderful man. As a youngster I loved hanging out with him at the Saints and the Echo offices… all those home and away games I went to with him. We adored him.

"He is such a big presence and loved by everyone.” 

Mike was at the centre of an international story in June 1990 when he captured dramatic photos of a pilot hanging out of a window, after the plane was forced into an emergency landing at Southampton Airport.

Two windows suddenly exploded on British Airways flight 5390 from Birmingham to Malaga, Spain, sucking pilot Captain Tim Lancaster out of his seat and partially out of the cockpit, with crew members holding onto his legs.

Capt Lancaster miraculously survived and the images taken by Mike broke internationally.

Lee Peck, who was one of Mike's closest friends and colleagues, runs Southampton PR agency leepeckmedia.

Mike's daughter Alexandra, her husband Milan Shah, and grandchildren Luna and Luca (Image: Family)

He said: "Mike and I worked together for many many years and were very close friends and colleagues.

“I remember he called me on his mobile from The Avenue, I think it was early one Friday evening. He whispered that he was hidden behind a car taking photos of a shoot-out between undercover police and a gang from the Midlands near the traffic lights at Stag Gates.

"He calmly got the money shot, bought a Chinese takeaway for the family – which is why he was out in the first place - and got the images off to the Echo before settling in to watch the telly.

"That was Mike all over. Brilliant bloke."

In his 60s, Mike fell in love with Kenya, his favourite holiday spot, and retired to the East African coast with Gerry and Alex.

He recently became a grandfather to Luna, 4, and Luca, 3, and he and Gerry recently moved to Vipingo, north of Mombasa, to be closer to their family.

He was born on Christmas Day 1951 in Bournemouth and brought up on Bradpole Road by his mum, dad and older sister Pauline, who still lives in St Leonards with husband Andrew.