 For a few years the new band had modest ambitions, but in 1908 a fundamental reorganisation took place and, by the following year, it had achieved Championship Section status, a prestigious position that has been maintained ever since.Conductor Fred Mortimer (1880–1953) led Fodens for 27 years from around 1927 until his death in 1953.During that time they won the national championships eight times, and according to Mortimer, had been broadcast around 250 times.