As skiffle dominated traditional jazz in popular culture in the UK, in the late 1950s- early 60s Disley started working as guitarist with a number of skiffle groups, including those of Ken Colyer, Lonnie Donegan, Bob Cort and Nancy Whiskey, and performed on numerous recordings. With Ike Isaacs he appeared on Ken Sykora's "Guitar Club" on BBC Radio for a number of years and was voted second best (1960) and best (1961) British jazz guitarist in the UK "Melody Maker" jazz polls.