I wrote and recorded "he played for England" loosely based on the up and down life of Tommy Lawton. England centre forward in the post war years. I remember Derek Dougan requesting I sing it at his testimonial dinner.

He played for England, yes he did
He played before the war
He was magic with a football
And by God he made us roar
We saw him on the newsreel
He was talking to the King
He played for England once
But now, it doesn't mean a thing

His cartilage went at 31
His back at 32
He left the game at 33
With nothing much to do
He couldn't settle down, you know,
He couldn't find a job
The only skill he'd ever had
Was nodding in a lob

Si in the pub he talks of when
Goals were goals, and men were men
But now the only pass he makes
Is with a glass that someone takes

He thought the world would not forget
To pay him what it owed
That he could live forever
On the memories he'd sowed
But legends mean so little
And memories grow cold
As boys create new heroes
And men forget the old

He never goes to see a game
He reckons now it's all the same
Nameless numbers run like hares
The joy is gone but no-one cares

His wife deserted years ago
His kids have gone abroad
He spends his time with scrapbooks
Of the many goals he scored
And on his wall a photograph
Of when he met the King
He played for England once
But now, it doesn't mean a thing