Career

Varty was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, and began his football career with his hometown club, Newcastle United, as an amateur just before the Second World War. He moved on to Darlington during the war, and turned professional with that club in 1945. In 1946, he scored once as the Football Association"s representative team beat a Universities Athletic Union XI by ten goals to one.

Varty was a regular in Darlington"s first team in the Third Division North, missing only six games over four seasons.

He then spent the 1950-1951 Football League season with Third Division South club Watford, which took his total league appearances to 196, before returning to his native north-east of England to pursue business interests.