November 2010

EXETER CITY

As rags to riches stories go in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Exeter City take some beating.

Wind the clock back two years and the Grecians were plying their trade in the Conference, battling to find a way back into league football. Yet a couple of seasons later they find themselves just three games from Wembley, having dumped out Yeovil Town, Hereford United and Plymouth Argyle en-route. The sweet taste of success will get even more salivating if they can find a way past Bristol Rovers to the southern area final. They won’t need to look far for some motivational mind games ahead of the game, either. If their manager Paul Tisdale needs any inspiration for his pre-match team talk, perhaps he could call on Uri Geller, who was once a familiar face at St James’s Park as a co-chairman.

BRISTOL ROVERS

If Bristol Rovers are successful enough to reach the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this season, then they’ll be the only team to have done it at Wembley Stadium and the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Back in 2007 – when Exeter City were fighting for their very place in the league – the Pirates were narrowly losing in extra time to Doncaster Rovers in the trophy final in Wales. After thrashing Wycombe Wanderers away 6-3 in the area quarter finals, it is hard to bet against the men from the Memorial Ground. ‘Goodnight Irene’ is one of the most endearing club songs to be sung in this year’s trophy, although nobody is quite sure where the novel ditty came from. In Paul Trollope, they also have one of the most endearing managers, having been at the helm since 2005. Maybe he’ll be up for singing a verse at Wembley Stadium in a few months, should his team be strong enough to get there?

CARLISLE UNITED

If any side is in love with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy more than Carlisle United, then we’d love to hear about them. Greg Abbot’s men don’t just enjoy playing in the trophy, they positively love it!

Statistically the most successful side in the competition, Carlisle are something of the David Haye of the trophy world, knocking out just about every team in their path. Since losing at Wembley in the final last season, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Cumbrians would want to lick their wounds.

Not a bit of it. They are already in the northern area final having disposed of Sheffield Wednesday, Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale along the way. With fortress Brunton Park acting as a formidable 12th man, it’s hard to look past United for another Wembley appearance.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

If the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy was solely decided on the length of an honours board, Huddersfield Town would be there or thereabouts. The Terriers boast real pedigree and a rich history, winning the league three times and the FA Cup. They might just have to make room for another entry in their history book if they keep carrying on like they are. It is 16 years since Town last made the final of the trophy but many argue that they will never get a better chance than this. Managed by Geordie Lee Clark, Huddersfield look like the team to beat. In Jordan Rhodes, they have one of the hottest young properties outside the top flight and in Gary Roberts, Anthony Pilkington and co, they have one of the most free scoring sides left in this season’s competition.

TRANMERE ROVERS

Forget the history books...Tranmere Rovers will be making the pub quiz books if they win this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. No team has ever been knocked out of a cup competition before going on to win it, but the men from the Wirral might in a remarkable story. Rovers were consoling themselves after losing in round one to Accrington Stanley on penalties, but were soon dusting themselves down for another bash at the silverware when their conquerors were eliminated for fielding an ineligible player. Having been reinstated, Tranmere have made the most of their second bite of the cherry, beating Bury and Stockport to reach the area semi-finals.

BRENTFORD

What’s the only ground in the Football League to boast a pub on each corner of the ground?

The answer is Brentford’s Griffin Park, and the Bees will be drinking the beers from every bar if they go on to lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. If there was a mantle of ‘penalty specialists’ for one team left in the competition then Brentford can claim it, having dispatched Leyton Orient and Swindon Town from the spot already. Add two other separate shoot-outs in the League Cup and no team will be better prepared from 12 yards, if it gets to that petrifying stage again. Manager Andy Scott was a terrace hero at Brentford as a player before making the leap into management, where he has continued his success, guiding the Bees to the League Two championship in 2008/09.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

The Addicks can lay claim to being the biggest club left in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, having enjoyed eight years of success in the Premier League. After some recent disappointments, Charlton fans can dare to dream again under the stewardship of Phil Parkinson. The loyal bunch from the Valley would almost certainly sell out Wembley Stadium on their own if they had the chance.

Their progress in the trophy has gone largely under the radar, beating Dagenham, MK Dons and Southend United – all by the odd goal. People are starting to take note now, as the Londoners sit pretty near the top of League One and threaten to turn their domestic dominance into trophy success.

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