The bands and their respective conductors have been confirmed by the 157th British Open organisers for the 2009 contest that will take place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Saturday 12th September starting at 10.00am.

Fifth time

Reigning champions Foden's will be led once again by Garry Cutt as he goes in search of his fifth Mortimer Trophy, whilst the fancied runners of Black Dyke and Cory will be headed as usual by Nicholas and Robert Childs.

There will be a great deal of interest in seeing how Professor David King will fare with Brighouse & Rastrick on his first appearance back at the contest since 20064BR

Interest

There will be a great deal of interest in seeing how Professor David King will fare with Brighouse & Rastrick on his first appearance back at the contest since 2006, whilst Antipodean fans will be looking for Ashes revenge as Englishman Howard Taylor leads the challenge of Brisbane Excelsior.

Overdue

There is a long overdue return to the contest for John Berryman, on what will be his first appearance since 2000. He leads the challenge of Virtuosi GUS, whilst another returnee is former Mortimer Trophy winner James Gourlay who will lead Desford – his first appearance since 2005.

There are debuts this year for Tom Davoren who will lead the Welsh challenge of BTM, and Michael Fowles who will conduct Co-operative Funeralcare from Scotland.

Contenders

BTM — Tom Davoren
Black Dyke — Dr Nicholas Childs
Brighouse & Rastrick — Prof David King
Brisbane Excelsior — Howard Taylor
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery — Russell Gray
Co-operative Funeralcare — Michael Fowles
Cory — Dr Robert Childs
Desford Colliery — James Gourlay
Fairey — Philip Chalk
Foden’s — Garry Cutt
Grimethorpe Colliery — Allan Withington
Hammonds Saltaire — Morgan Griffiths
Hepworth (Cookson Homes) — Ian Porthouse
Kirkintilloch — Selmer Simonsen
Leyland — Jason Katsikaris
Rothwell Temperance — David Roberts
Virtuosi GUS — John Berryman
Whitburn — Steven Mead