4BR has spoken to Phillip McCann following the news that his tenure at Brighouse & Rastrick has ended less than a month after he was brought to the West Riding band as a ‘safe pair of hands’ and someone who Band President Paul Beaumont hailed as the best band trainer he could think of.

Disgusted

Phillip told 4BR: "To say I was disappointed is an understatement. It's come as a great surprise and I feel disgusted by the way in which it has been done. I've since been made aware that an undercurrent exists within the band that is opposed to the progress required to take Brighouse to the very highest level."

Small group

He added: "We hadn't been able to discuss any progress in such a short space of time, and this has unfortunately, manifested itself in a small, misinformed group of players who, in my opinion, have let the band and it's President down by applying pressure to have me removed from the MD's post."

I've since been made aware that an undercurrent exists within the band that is opposed to the progress required to take Brighouse to the very highest levelPhillip McCann

Hit list

Phillip countered the rumours that he had been dispensed with due to a 'hit list' of players he had in mind to replace.

"I understand it was decided to dispense with my services, mainly on the fictitious grounds that I had a ‘hit list’ of players that I wanted rid of, although nothing could be further from the truth.

Heard about it

He added: "All I heard about it, until almost a week later, was a number of supportive calls from some of the players, who had been looking forward to working with me and were extremely disappointed in their colleagues’ actions.

"By the time I eventually received a call from the band management, rumours were doing the usual rounds, and it is very concerning that such actions can take place without any communication with me whatsoever."

Total

In total Phillip conducted the band at one concert at York Minster and four rehearsals before spending time in Switzerland meeting his long standing commitments to bands there.

Whilst still in Switzerland he eventually heard the news from the B&R management.

Problems

He concluded: "Frankly, I’m disgusted by the whole situation, and if this is the way that bands conduct their business then they are creating problems for themselves."

Further details of Phillip's departure are to be found in this weeks British Bandsman magazine.