In 1944, aged 18, Spiro volunteered for the Royal Navy and did his training in Chatham, Kent, where he qualified as a nurse, and was sent to Iceland to work on an American naval base.
He got his first publishing deal, and also supported his wife's cousin, Phil Wainman, who was later to become the producer for The Bay City Rollers and The Boomtown Rats.
They were involved in the Eurovision Song Contest for two consecutive years with, "Can I Believe", for Mary Hopkin and "In My World of Beautiful Things", for Clodagh Rodgers.
This culminated in representing the UK with "Long Live Love", performed by Olivia Newton-John in 1974,[2] which went on to be recorded worldwide by more than fifty artists.
From 1973, as 'Hoagy Pogey',[11] he worked with Jamie Philips and Dougie Squires and the Second Generation, touring Europe, making stage and television appearances.
Throughout his life, Spiro wrote many other football songs, recorded by major teams, including "Here We Go" for Everton;[14] and "Nice One Gazza", as well as "Tribute to Ardiles and Villa" again for Spurs.
[16] Jointly they discovered Red Box, who went on to have success with "Lean on Me (Ah-li-ayo)", a song which reached number three in the UK Singles Chart.
Spiro and Freeman also recorded Barbara Woodhouse, famous for her dog-training skills, "Diddy" David Hamilton[18] and Les Dawson.
When back in England, Spiro continued with his projects, involving local musicians and writers, including the novelist, Peter Corey.