He canny play fitba onymair, knackered knees! (He was never much good anyway, too slow).                     

I've known John since 1962. He's quite a character, not a bad singer either and plays a mean melodeon. I remember when he first started learning, the noise was painful but he persevered. The songwriting is a late flowering.

For many years, from about 1964, John (or Piso as we call him), was lead singer in the Glasgow folk group, The Clutha (Clyde). I think it's worth recording that when I met John Moulden in Ireland a few years ago, he told me that in his opinion John E was the best of all the "revivalist" (his word) singers. I don't agree but when told John that, he was, understandably, quite chuffed.