JP TROPHY: SERVING A PURPOSE

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has long been the subject of discussion among football fans, players, managers and most of all the media.

The competition has been re-branded more times than anyone cares to remember and it is not until the latter stages that teams really start to take it seriously. Another nail in the coffin of its popularity seemed to arrive recently when the ridiculous rule was implemented, that states a team must start with a certain proportion of players from the previous league game.

Despite all these supposed downsides, the competition should be treated with more respect than it is currently given. Other than an outlandish run in the FA or League Cup or promotion (which usually is achieved by teams that have large budgets and are able to rotate line-ups throughout the campaign), the JPT provides the only realistic opportunity for so-called “smaller clubs” to win silverware.

The prime example of setting the competition on a high pedestal is Carlisle United. The Cumbrian club and their supporters would be the first to admit that they are unlikely to ever have the budget or playing squad to achieve promotion to the second tier, therefore a larger prominence is always set on the JPT, shown by the fact they have reached six finals since its inception in 1984.

Some suggest scrapping the JPT, but what would that mean for clubs such as Carlisle? The promise of running out at Wembley is one that all players should aspire to, no matter what competition it is played under.

There is plenty of positives to look upon. A knock-out competition, that is set regionally therefore saving time on travelling (especially important for supporters) and games that are decided on penalties if scores are level after 90 minutes (signalling an end to unnecessary extra-time)

The JPT may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it certainly has a role to play for the clubs that are in the lower tiers; and that is to provide a platform for winning silverware – no matter what the competition.  

Surely that is the ultimate aim for any professional?