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.

Latics take on Morecambe at Boundary Park on Tuesday, September 2 (KO 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.

Manager John Sheridan is keen to do well in this season's competition.

"I like to win every game I play and this competition is no exception," he said.  "The prospect of an appearance at Wembley and a big pay-day is a massive opportunity for us."

As in recent seasons, special efforts are being made to attract more young fans to matches in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Oldham are offering free tickets to under 16's with adult tickets costing only £10 and senior citizens just £5. For more information call 0871 226 1653 or visit www.oldhamathletic.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.

To promote the game, the club are offering fans a downloadable PDF to print out and stick up wherever you can!  Click here to download.