The 2008/09 Johnstone's Paint Trophy kicks off next week with a showpiece final at the new Wembley Stadium and six-figure jackpot awaiting this season's finalists.

The Grecians take on Shrewsbury Town at St. James Park on Tuesday 2nd September at 7:45pm with the enticing prospect of an appearance at the home of English football on the cards.

The financial rewards that can be won from the cup competition for clubs from Leagues 1 and 2 are significant, with last season's finalists - Milton Keynes Dons and Grimsby Town - each pocketing more than £350,000 in gate receipts alone. This season's total prize fund is £400,000, with the winning club earning a total jackpot of £100,000 and this week's first round winners picking up £4,000 each.

City boss, Paul Tisdale, said: 'The Johnstone's Paint Trophy gives us a good opportunity to try to reach Wembley for a third time in three years and, having got used to the Wembley experience and thoroughly enjoyed it, we would love to do it again. The prize money generated by progress is also vitally important to the club as we strive to build on the promotion achieved last year.'

As in recent seasons, special efforts are being made to attract more young fans to matches in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Exeter are offering free tickets to under 16's with adult tickets from just £10. For more information call 01392 411243 or visit www.exetercityfc.co.uk.

In order to avoid late finishes, there will also be no extra-time in drawn matches in the competition, with deadlocked games being decided by penalty shoot-outs at the end of 90 minutes.

Clubs have also continued their commitment to fielding full-strength teams throughout the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Under the competition's rules, clubs will be required to include in their matchday line-up a majority of the 11 players that have appeared most often in first team games this season.

For more details on the Johnstone's Paint Trophy visit www.football-league.co.uk.

Further Details:

Andy Gillard
Exeter City FC
01392 413954
andy.gillard@exetercityfc.co.uk

John Nagle
Head of Communications
The Football League
(:0870 443 9283 & 07979 645 416
JNagle@football-league.co.uk