The race to become the top contest money earner in 2009 is hotting up, as the cash bonanza of Whit Friday has seen major movements in the current table.

£2,000 or more

20 bands have now won £2,000 or more in prize money this season, with Fodens enjoying a purple patch of late by winning the Masters and topping the Tameside Whit Friday parade for an eighth consecutive year.

20 bands have now won £2,000 or more in prize money this season, with Fodens enjoying a purple patch of late by winning the Masters and topping the Tameside Whit Friday parade4BR

More to come

That has meant that they now top the Money List with a highly impressive total of £10,725 pocketed for their contesting efforts – with the possibility of more to come at the forthcoming English Nationals.

With Black Dyke enjoying a bumper payday in Saddleworth, they now move into second place with £9,200 to their name – and they too will be appearing at Preston in a few weeks time.

Profitable

Other bands have enjoyed profitable periods of playing of late, with Hepworth (also at Preston) and Desford (not at Preston) filling their boots to push into the top ten earners for the year.

Brighouse picked up a nice wodge of cash as usual on their Whit Friday escapades, whilst Fairey and Leyland did well too. Nice to report a bit of dosh finding its way into Rothwell’s current account too – lifting them up to 13th place overall.

First appearances

BTM’s recent good form has seen them move into 14th place, whilst there are first appearances for Ashton, United Co-op Milnrow and Wingates.

The German brass band scene has not been too badly affected by the credit crunch it seems, as the European B Section Champions, 3BA Brass, picked up another 1,000 Euro for winning the German Nationals Championships.

Missed out?

The top 20 bands are those who have won over £2,000 this season. If you think we have missed out your band then please let us know.

Current4BR Money List Table:

1. Fodens — £10,725
(N/W Area — £200; All England Masters — £4,000; Whit Friday — £6,525)

2. Black Dyke — £9,200
(Whit Friday — £9,200)

3. Cory — £8,703
(Welsh Area — £200; European Championship — £8,503)

4. Eikanger Bjorsvik — £7,714
(Norwegian Nationals — £5,029; European Championship — £2,685)

5. Hepworth (Cookson Homes) — £7,300
(Butlins Mineworkers — £3,000; Yorkshire Area — £100; Whit Friday — £4,200)

6. Redbridge — £7,200
(Butlins Mineworkers — £7,000; L&SC Areas — £200)

7. Brass Band Treize Etoile — £7,160
(European Championship — £7,160)

8. Desford — £4,200
(Butlins Mineworkers — £2,000; Midlands Area — £200; All England Masters — £2,000)

9. Brighouse & Rastrick — £4,000
(Whit Friday — £4,000)

10. 3ba Brass — £3,546
(European Championship — £2,685; German Nationals — £861)

11. Fairey – £3,500
(N/W Area — £100; Whit Friday — £3,400)

12. Ashton under Lyne — £3,125
(N/W Area — £75; Tameside £550; Whit Friday — £2,500)

13. Rothwell Temperance – £2,900
(Yorkshire Area- £200; Grand Shield — £800; Whit Friday — £1,900 )

14. BTM — £2,650
(Yeovil — £700; Welsh Open — £1,000; Ebbw Vale — £200; All England Masters — £750)

15. Blackburn & Darwen — £2,210
(Butlins Mineworkers — £1,500; N/W Area — £100; Whit Friday — £610)

16= Leyland — £2,200
(Whit Friday — £2,200)

16= Marsden Band — £2,200
(Senior Cup — £600; Whit Friday — £1,600)

18. Tertnes Brass — £2,112
(Norwegian Nationals — £2,112)

19. Flowers — £2,100
(Yeovil — £2,000; West of England Area — £100)

20= United Norwest Co-op Milnrow — £2,000
(Senior Trophy — £600; Whit Friday £1,400)

20= Wingates — £2,000
(Butlins Mineworkers — £1,000; All England Masters — £1,000)