Following the news that Russell Gray had parted company with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery in the past week, it has since been announced that Philip McCann will take his place and lead the band at the Yorkshire Area Championships in Bradford.

Excited

Band Chairman Ray Sykes MBE is stated as saying: "The band members are very excited about the appointment. Philip is very committed to whatever cause he is involved in, as well as being a very talented musician. We expect that he will be a great asset to the band."

I’m delighted to be returning to top level contesting and what promises to be a bright future with Carlton MainPhilip McCann

Delighted

The new MD added: "I’m delighted to be returning to top level contesting and what promises to be a bright future with Carlton Main. It will be especially nice to work with a number of players that were previously my own students. They are a well organized and hard working band, which means we will be on the same musical wavelength."