Johnstone's Paint Trophy Begins This Week - Cherries Vs Pirates Tues Sep 2nd 7.45pm
The 2008/09 Johnstone's Paint Trophy kicks off tomorrow night with a showpiece final at the new Wembley Stadium and six-figure jackpot awaiting this season's finalists.
The Cherries take on Bristol Rovers at Dean Court on Tuesday 2nd September at 7:45pm with the enticing prospect of an appearance at the home of English football on the cards.
The financial rewards that can be won from the cup competition for clubs from Leagues 1 and 2 are significant, with last season's finalists - Milton Keynes Dons and Grimsby Town - each pocketing more than £350,000 in gate receipts alone. This season's total prize fund is £400,000, with the winning club earning a total jackpot of £100,000 and this week's first round winners picking up £4,000 each.
As in recent seasons, special efforts are being made to attract more young fans to matches in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Bournemouth is offering concession tickets from just £5 and adult tickets from only £10.
In order to avoid late finishes, there will also be no extra-time in drawn matches in the competition, with deadlocked games being decided by penalty shoot-outs at the end of 90 minutes.
Clubs have also continued their commitment to fielding full-strength teams throughout the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Under the competition's rules, clubs will be required to include in their matchday line-up a majority of the 11 players that have appeared most often in first team games this season.
