Music

John Burns (centre front in the band photograph) probably doesn't rate too highly amongst Nottingham Forest fans. Although he spent five years with the club between 1994 and 1999 he only played three times for the Reds first team.

The Irishman continued playing professionally until 2002 when he ended up at Carlisle United. He was only 27 and quickly returned to Nottinghamshire to play semi-professional football with Hucknall and Ilkeston.

"I came over to Nottingham when I was 16. I've always loved the city," he says.

John Burns playing for Nottingham Forest

Putting the band together

Football isn't John's only love. He's got a passion for music and wanted to do more than just listen to CDs. That's why he put The Establishment together.

Stuart Landon is their guitarist.

"John put the band together with my younger brother Steven who plays the drums. We all kind of knew each other before."

A little help from his friends

The Establishment have received a major boost from an unlikely source - the Professional Footballers Association.

The PFA helps footballers start a second career.

"I just sent a letter to the chief executive explaining what my plans were," says John Burns.

"I didn't expect much from them. It was quite a surprise when I got a letter back saying 'yes, we'll help you.'"

Getting established

The PFA funded the making of a 4 track EP made in June 2008. The band hopes this will get them noticed.

"We want to get signed," says John. "We need someone to take a chance on us, to produce us and help us make it.

"We're getting a lot of exposure but we haven't had anyone approach us as such."

But John Burns remains optimistic.

"I firmly believe we do have the music to be successful."

If it doesn't work out he can always switch careers again. A couple of years ago he retrained as a mortgage advisor.

You can hear more local musicians on Frances Finn's show on BBC Radio Nottingham. You can listen to show on Monday to Friday from 9.00am until midday (103.8, 95.5fm, 1584am and DAB digital radio). If you miss it you can listen again on the BBC's iplayer.