With all of England celebrating the huge achievement of the national team in beating the might of Slovenia to get through to the last 16 of the World Cup, 4BR has delved into the record books to find out if any of the bands at Preston could take comfort from their own performances in World Cup years gone by…

Not necessary

As England didn’t deem it necessary to enter the World Cup Finals until 1950 (they still thought themselves to be the ‘Unofficial Champions of the World’ until the Hungarians spanked their backsides at Wembley in 1953), we have only gone back to the tournament in Brazil of that year.

1950:

Then, England of course went out thanks to a defeat against the might of the USA -captained by a Scot, with the winner coming from a Haitian centre forward.

In the unofficial Brass Band World Championships of 1950, Fairey won the Open and Foden’s the National.

1954:

In 1954, in Switzerland, England topped their group only to lose 4-2 to Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

(Scotland meanwhile got hammered 7-0 by the same team in the group phase)

Back home, Munn & Felton won the Open and Fairey won the National.

1958:

The year we first heard of a young chap called Pele, saw England crash out in the group stages in Sweden — not winning a single game in their group.

The Scots once again failed to find success, although Wales and Ireland got to the quarter-finals.

Back in Blighty, Carlton Main won the Open and Foden’s won the National again.

1962:

England once again failed to impress in the group stages, getting through after a win, loss and a draw only to find themselves up against Brazil in the quarter-fianls, and the forward line of Vava, Zagalo, Amarildo and Garrincha.

They lost 3-1.

Back in England, it was the turn of Fairey to once again win the British Open and CWS (Manchester) the National.

1966:

Three lions on the shirt, Bobby Moore wiping his hands on his shorts before accepting the cup, the whole of Scotland crying in despair – England Champions of the World.

And it all started with a pretty terrible performance against Uruguay too, before wins against Mexico, France, Argentina, Portugal and West Germany made heroes of them all.

On the brass band front, CWS (Manchester) won the Open and GUS (Footwear) the National.

Fairey is the English version of Brazil of the banding world it seems with no less than five major wins in the World Cup years of 1950, 1954, 1962, 1986 and 19984BR

1970:

Colour television, Pele and the Boys from Brazil in their pomp, Peter Bonneti’s impression of a Scottish goalkeeper and England’s defeat by the Germans…

Black Dyke become the official brass band ‘World Champions’ at the Royal Albert hall, whilst Yorkshire Imps win the Open and Grimethorpe the National.

1974 & 1978:

England in the wilderness – Scotland bravely contriving ways to lose to teams no one had heard of…

1982:

England start like potential champions (scoring after 27 seconds) before limping out in the next group phase with Kevin Keegan’s bubble perm head missing an open goal in the deciding match against Spain.

Back home, Besses win the Open and Cory the National.

1986:

The little genius Maradona wins the World Cup for Argentina on his own, thanks ‘handing out’ a defeat to England out in the quarter finals.

Black Dyke wins the Open and Fairey the National.

1990:

Gazza bawls his eyes out and England miss a hatful of penalty kicks to go out to Germany in the semi finals…

Sun Life wins the Open, CWS (Glasgow) the National

1998

After failing to qualify four years before, England make it through to the second round only for David Beckham to get sent off and marry a Spice Girl and Argentina to once again add the penalty coup de grace…

Fairey’s wins the Open and Brighouse & Rastrick the Nationals.

2002:

England get through to the quarter-finals again – only to be beaten by Brazil, with Ronaldhino lobbing David Seaman from 658 yards out to win the game…

Cory wins the Open and Fairey wins the National.

2006:

England start well and head for the quarter finals against Portugal.

Wayne Rooney goes nuts (literally) and England get beaten by that Portuguese winker Ronaldo.

Black Dyke wins the Open and Grimethorpe the Nationals.

2010?

England scrape through to the last 16 where they meet Germany (shades of 1966 or 1970 & 1990 we wonder).

Banding triumphs?

As for the banding World Cup year triumphs?

Fairey is the English version of Brazil of the banding world it seems with no less than five major wins in the World Cup years of 1950, 1954, 1962, 1986 and 1998.

Foden’s have two in 1950 and 1958, as do Grimethorpe (1970 & 2006) whilst Black Dyke also have two in 1986 and 2006, but also have a World Champions crown too in 1970.

Will any of them add to their tally this year we wonder…