Danny boy, the trophy's calling you!
Torquay United winger Danny Stevens has earned the ‘ultimate’ accolade in football, after thousands of fans voted for him to win an inaugural Johnstone’s Paint Trophy award.
The 23 year-old’s goal against Cheltenham Town in the first round of the trophy has been crowned as the competition’s Ultimate Finish of the season.
A total of 155 goals were scored over the course of the campaign, and Danny’s sweet strike back in September 2009 was eventually crowned as the best goal all seaso
June 2010
The competition, which was exclusive to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy website invited fans to view a video collage of the best goals from every round before voting for the best one.
After Southampton’s 4 – 1 defeat over Carlisle United in the final of the trophy on 28th Match, an overall ‘Ultimate Finish of the Season’ was launched, with the 10 best goals of the entire season on display for fans to log on and vote for their favorite.
Danny’s goal polled 26 per cent of the vote, beating Peter Sweeney’s thunderbolt for Grimsby Town against Leeds into second place (21 per cent) with Aaron Wilbraham’s strike for MK Dons against Northampton Town third (12 per cent).
Danny said: “I thought the goal was a pretty good one personally, but for thousands of fans to agree with me is just unbelievable.
“The goal wasn’t as spectacular in terms of distance, but it capped a beautiful passing move, which was special.
“To win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’s Ultimate Finish award, after 155 goals were scored all season, means so much to me.
“It is the first time that the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has created this award, so it is a privilege to win it.”
The Ultimate Finish initiative caps a hugely successful season for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, which boasted a record final attendance of over 73,000, while an average of around 6,000 fans came to watch each of the 49 games played – up 46% on last season.
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Sponsorship Manager Teresa Hardwick said: “We thought Danny’s goal stood a very good chance from the outset.
“There were some fantastic goals scored throughout the season so he was in very good company but his strike was certainly a worthy winner.”
Torquay United fan Christine Parkman voted for Danny’s goal and was picked at random to win a Johnstone’s an iPod Nano.
Johnstone’s. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.
