Johnstone's reveals its dream team

With five memorable finals now safely stored in the annals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, the sponsors have created an all-time team of the last five finals for fans to debate.

May 2011

After much deliberating, cogitating and digesting, a panel of trophy experts have chosen the eleven most outstanding players to feature in the five finals played since 2007, ranging from Doncaster Rovers’ epic win in 2007 right through to Carlisle United’s in 2011.

Every week for the next 11 weeks, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will induct a player into its ‘Dream Team’ (in a hypothetical 3-5-2 formation in order to incorporate the players the competition feel are most deserving.)

So, without further ado, we will kick-off our enviable eleven with the goalkeeping position.

Willy Gueret (MK Dons)

Big Willy’s name will forever be associated with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy of 2008, having saved a penalty against Grimsby Town which altered the course of the game against the Mariners.

With the game locked at 0-0, the Mariners had the chance to draw first blood in the 17th minute through Danny Boshell.

It wasn’t so much the Frenchman’s smart save to his left that caught the eye, but his imposing air of authority throughout, which Swansea City fans can also testify, having watched their former hero make crucial penalty saves in the southern area final of that season.

Willy is also the only player to have ever played in the Johnstone’s Paint and FA Cup finals.

Willy played 133 times for MK Dons, after enjoying a similarly successful spell at Swansea City – the team the Dons beat in the 2008 southern area final.

He was hailed by his former manager Ray Mathias as the best goalkeeper in League Two and he soon became a firm favourite with the Dons fans, not only for his heroic saves throughout the 2008 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but also his huge personality which matched his presence between the posts.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’s sponsorship manager Teresa Hardwick said: “With so many memories from our five finals, we wanted to remember them in some way, which is why we came up with a team of five finals.

“Not including substitutes, there were 110 players to think about when creating this team, so there are sure to be some fans agreeing, and many more disagreeing!

“If we can stimulate some hearty debate between supporters as each name is announced, then we’ll be delighted.”

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