The Football League Trophy 2008–09, known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2008–09 for sponsorship reasons, is the 25th Football League Trophy, a knockout competition for English football clubs in Leagues One and Two, the third and fourth tiers of English football. Luton Town won the competition, beating Scunthorpe United 3–2 after extra time in the final. However, Luton were unable to defend their trophy as they were relegated from the Football League at the end of the season.
The format was the same as that which had been used since 1996, with four first round regions; North-West, North-East, South-West and South-East and a two-region format from the second round; North and South. The resulting regional winners then meet in the final.
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The First Round draw was conducted on 16 August 2008. The teams to be granted byes to the Second Round were drawn first, with the remaining teams drawn for the First Round ties. The First Round matches were played in the week commencing 1 September 2008.
Northern Section
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Southern Section
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Northern sectionBury, Carlisle United, Chester City, Darlington, Lincoln City, Rochdale, |
Southern sectionCheltenham Town, Gillingham, Hereford United, Luton Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Peterborough United, Walsall, Wycombe Wanderers. |
The Second Round draw was conducted on 6 September 2008, with matches played in the week commencing 6 October 2008.
Northern Section
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Southern Section
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The draw for the area quarter-finals was conducted on 11 October 2008. The matches were played in the week commencing 3 November 2008, with the exception of the match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Swindon Town, which was played on 12 November 2008.
Northern Section
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Southern Section
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The draw for the area semi-finals was conducted on 8 November 2008, and matches were played in the week commencing 15 December 2008.
Northern Section
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Southern Section
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The area finals, which serve as the semi-finals for the entire competition, are contested over two legs, home and away. The first legs were played on 20 January 2009; the second legs were played on 17 February 2009.
| 20 January 2009 19:30 |
Scunthorpe United | 2 – 0 | Rotherham United | Glanford Park, Scunthorpe Attendance: 6,038 Referee: Clive Oliver (Northumberland) |
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| Woolford 60' Pearce 67' |
Report |
| 17 February 2009 19:45 |
Rotherham United | 0 – 1 | Scunthorpe United | Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield Attendance: 6,555 Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire) |
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| Report | Hooper 74' |
Scunthorpe United won 3–0 on aggregate.
| 20 January 2009 19:45 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 – 0 | Luton Town | Withdean Stadium, Brighton and Hove Attendance: 6,127 Referee: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire) |
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| Report |
| 17 February 2009 19:45 |
Luton Town | 1 – 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Kenilworth Road, Luton Attendance: 8,711 Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex) |
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| Craddock 1' | Report | Forster 20' | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| Martin Craddock Hall Charles |
4 – 3 | Forster Virgo Elphick Jarrett Birchall |
Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Luton Town on aggregate. Luton Town won 4–3 on penalties.
| 5 April 2009 13:15 BST |
Luton Town | 3 – 2 (a.e.t.) | Scunthorpe United | Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 55,378 Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent) |
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| Martin 32' Craddock 70' Gnakpa 95' |
Report | Hooper 14' McCann 88' |
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