Sixteen Clubs Bye-Pass Trophy Pre-Draw

The first round draw of this season’s Johnstone's Paint Trophy will take place live on Soccer AM this coming Saturday, 11 August 2007. Sixteen clubs have already been awarded byes in a pre-draw for this first round, with the remaining 32 League One and Two clubs going into the hat for Saturday’s televised draw.

09 Aug 2007

For rounds one and two, the clubs will be equally divided into Northern and Southern sections and then sub-divided again into North East and North West in the North and South East and South West sections in the South.

Sub-dividing Northern and Southern sections is certain to guarantee some exciting local derby’s and push attendances at the earlier rounds up even higher than in Johnstone’s record-breaking first sponsorship year.

As per last season, the Northern and Southern sections will remain until the winners of each section meet in the final on 30th March 2008 at Wembley Stadium.

Fans of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will be kept up to date with all the 2007/08 football season news with regular updates from Helen Chamberlain and the latest signing to the Saturday morning programme, Andy Goldstein, who will be her co-host on Soccer Am.

Sponsorship manager, Teresa Quinn said: “Everyone at Johnstone’s is ready and waiting to get this new season up and running. With the first draw fast approaching we’re all looking forward to another eventful and exciting football journey.

“After the twists and turns from last season, who knows what will happen along the way.”

BYES (NORTHERN SECTION):

Bury

Carlisle United

Darlington

Leeds United

Lincoln City

Port Vale

Rochdale

Stockport

BYES (SOUTHERN SECTION):

Barnet