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The Friars Aylesbury Cup is a rarely awarded
accolade and in the gift of David Stopps. Over Friars 40 years, very few have
been awarded as mentioned, so let's have a look at who won the FA Cup and why as the
reasons differed. To find myself personally in this company having
received the cup on stage in 2009 was one of the most amazing moments of
my life.
1974 -
Cockney Rebel
"Friars Aylesbury was the gig
of gigs" - Steve Harley
Awarded for Sensation of the Year. Steve
Harley and Cockney Rebel were THE Friars band of 1974 (and in fact one
of THE bands of the whole of Friars history) playing four times that year.
They played in January on the Friars team's estimation of how good an up
and coming band they were. That went down a storm and the band came back
in May on the crest of a wave with their second album. Slight problem
though, so many people wanted to see them that the Borough Assembly Hall
was bombarded with hopeful fans who didn't have a ticket to the sold out
gig. So what do you do? You quickly arrange a second gig on the spot to
satisfy the overwhelming demand, so they came back within a fortnight.
This was the only time this ever happened in Friars history. By the time
they played for the fourth time in August, the band may have changed
slightly, but they were on the rise to becoming one of the UK's hottest
bands. Elsewhere on this website, Steve Harley documents his affection
for Friars Aylesbury.
Picture: Steven Daglish
1976 -
Sailor
"The infamous Friars Club
sticks out in my memory as a really special venue which we'd all heard
about before we played there, but never could have imagined how great
the audiences were or what an amazing reception we always got whenever
we came to Aylesbury. It was wild and during Sailor's 1970's heyday,
there was nowhere we played to more enthusiastic audiences anywhere in
the UK than Friars. The ecstatic reactions at Glasgow, Munich and
Hamburg came close but nothing topped Aylesbury and Friars - I've still
got the cup we won as "Sensation of the Year" award in pride of place in
my studio." - Phil Pickett, Sailor
Awarded for Sensation of
the Year 1975. Sailor took to Friars and vice versa. Always different
with their fabled Nickelodeon, the band made numerous sell out
appearances and were honoured in February 1976.
Picture: Geoff Tyrell
1977 -
The Ramones
Awarded for Sensation of
the Year. Although all avenues are being tried, no known
photographs of the band receiving the trophy exist. We are also led to
believe that the trophy was sold by Joey Ramone's father.
1977 -
Steve Hillage
Awarded for Sensation of
the Year. A lucky break in more ways than one. Can's postponement
in October 1976 due to a broken arm saw Steve Hillage take his place in
Friars history. What followed was sensational. The clamour for tickets
to see his L tour ensured people were paying £20 outside the venue for
tickets. Doesn't sound much but in context, we are talking over ten
times the face value! His return in 1977 sold out quickly and Steve was
awarded the Cup at that gig.
1979 -
John Otway
Awarded for the first local artist to sell out
at Friars. The enfant terrible of the local scene who regularly played
Friars and often with old sparring partner Wild Willy Barrett.
Still going strong, Otway is as identifiable with Aylesbury as Friars
and Aylesbury Ducks. Before this gig, a Friars organised free concert in
Aylesbury's Market Square drew an estimated 20,000 people in 1978.
Marillion, Howard Jones and Kajagoogoo all achieved the feat
subsequently but Otway was the first local act to have the sold out
signs put up.
1980 -
Genesis
Friars Aylesbury Talent
Winners. The tongue in cheek reason was a direct response to
Genesis presenting a Talent Spotting cup to Friars in 1973. Genesis had last
played Friars Aylesbury in 1972. By 1980 they were global superstars and
a three day queue in the cattle market ensued to get ones hands on a
ticket, the joint most in demand gig in Friars history.
Picture: Geoff Tyrell
1980 -
The Jam
Awarded for Sensation of
the Year. The Jam were always a popular sellout turn at Friars.
However by 1980 they were now out of Friars league and playing the big
venues. However, influenced by the Friars Poll results, they played one
last time in 1980 as a 'secret' show and sold out instantly.
Picture: Don Stone
1981 -
Stiff Little Fingers
"Friars Aylesbury was run
as if it was Madison Square Gardens" - Jake Burns
Awarded for Sensation of the Year. SLF became one of Friars Aylesbury's most cherished bands with the band
taking to Aylesbury as much as Friars to them. Numerous sellout
appearances and the band came 'home' in 2009 to a rapturous sellout
crowd. Additionally the live Hanx album was recorded at Friars in July
1980.
1981 -
John Phillips
Awarded for being Friars
50,000th member. No mean achievement at all for an independent
club with no national ties.
1981 -
Toyah
Awarded for Sensation of the Year. Toyah's
long over due appearance in 1981 sold out instantly and the audience
reaction was near hysteria.
2009 -
Mike O'Connor
" A huge very special thank
you particularly to my wife Sue, David Stopps and to Judy
Pearce...without whom there would have been no website"
Awarded for services to the Friars website. Astonishingly prior to suggesting to David about documenting Friars
history, there was little out there. We set about it intending to
capture every gig, poster, flyer and memories and we've pretty much got
there. As David said on stage at the SLF 2009 gig where the webmaster
received the Friars Lifetime Achievement award "Mike has put hundred and
hundreds of hours into this and all for love". Very true, your webmaster
is obsessed with it all and never ceases to be amazed at what is still
cropping up.
Picture: Russ Naylor |
