Willy Finlayson

The 50-something Scotsman had trials for Newcastle United but a knee injury prevented him from taking the football further.

Football's loss was the music's gain, as the singer went on to be front man in 70s and 80s rock outfits Meal Ticket, Mann's Earthband, Bees Make Honey and Writing on the Wall.

Aside from the knee injury, and the fact that footballers then didn't earn telephone number salaries, it is not surprising that he chose music over the beautiful game.

"My dad was a musician," says Willy. "He was in to swing and the early rock 'n' roll. He bought me my first couple of guitars. My mum was a hat check girl in the nightclub where he played the Pennycuik, near Edinburgh.

"I was about ten years old at that time and I went along too. It worked well because we didn't have to pay a babysitter. So you could say I was born in a groove."

See Willy play with his band Alan Coulter on drums, Nigel Portman-Smith on bass and Micky Moody of White Snake, on guitar.

It's probably a good thing he has a band to back him up, as it's uncertain whether Willy could go alone.

"I sing then I play guitar. In that order," he admits. "I play it so I have something to sing along to, and something to hold on to."