Johnstone’s Paint Trophy winners Crewe Alexandra have landed another major honour from the 2012-13 tournament.
As well as hoisting aloft the trophy at Wembley on Sunday, April 7 following a 2-0 victory over Southend United, Crewe have also clinched a share of runners-up spot in the inaugural Johnstone’s Paint Pot Challenge.
The Railwaymen scored 25 points in the unique test of accuracy, which made its debut appearance at League 1 and League 2 clubs this season and which ran alongside the main tournament.
That was enough to guarantee a share of second spot with Coventry, who they ironically defeated in the Northern Area Quarter-Final to reach Wembley. Oxford United were the Paint Pot Challenge winners with 32 points.
Crewe’s reward is £750 of Johnstone’s paint and officials have elected to carry out work on their club shop, which they will paint in a special Railwaymen Red offered by Johnstone’s Paint.
Paint and specialist advice will be supplied by staff at the Johnstone’s Paint Decorating Centre on the Crewe Gates Farm industrial estate.
“We were delighted to discover that we finished as runners-up to Oxford in the Johnstone’s Paint Pot Challenge,” said Crewe boss Steve Davis.
“I think Chuks (Aneke) needed to place the last kick in the pot to win it, but it just missed. With the type of goals he has scored for us this season, you would have backed him!
“Nevertheless, we are pleased to have one of the runners-up spots. We will be investing our prize in upgrading the look of the shop and then put some pictures up of our day out at Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final.
“The staff in the shop have been wanting to change the colour from purple to Railwaymen Red for a while now so they are delighted!”
The Johnstone’s Paint Pot Challenge saw clubs nominate 10 representatives from their playing squad and management to attempt to chip a ball from the angle of the penalty area into a giant inflatable paint pot placed on the six-yard line.
To watch the clubs in action, go to www.youtube.com/com/user/officialjpt
Clubs will also have the chance to emulate Oxford by becoming Johnstone’s Paint Pot Challenge champions for 2013-14, with the competition returning for a second season.