𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

“The dedication these musicians put into the craft is phenomenal,” he told BBC Radio Stoke.

“I’m always in awe that they actually hold down day jobs as well and then come into the band room in the evening to play so magnificently.”

Despite all the pressure and hard work that goes into playing “at the highest level”, Gray said it was important to remember that it was still a “hobby”.

But he added: “You choose to do a hobby; you don’t choose to do it badly, do you? You don’t go fishing to not catch a fish.”

Foden’s victory at the British Open, which featured 19 bands, meant it would be invited to represent England at the European Championships in 2028.

Wilkinson, who also won best cornet player at Saturday’s contest, said he still got “extremely nervous”, not least because of the band’s legacy.

“We’re the custodians,” he added, “so we want to do a fantastic job just like the players before us so we can pass on this legacy to the next generation.”