Have you ever been ditched for football?
Football fans often go to great lengths to watch their beloved team in action – and a new competition has been launched to find out just how far!
Johnstone’s Paint, long-standing sponsors of the Football League Trophy, are seeking compelling stories about women or men who have been left alone while their partners and the rest of the family fulfill their footballing passions.
You have until 31 July to submit your entry, with the winner receiving £100 towards a non-footballing weekend of their choice and up to £100 in Johnstone’s Paint product to give a room in their house a makeover.
The competition has been launched in the wake of results of a ‘Footy Mad’ survey carried out by Johnstone’s Paint to determine what lengths football fans would go to in order to watch their favourite club or country in a crucial game.
Ben Wilde, brand and sponsorship manager of Johnstone’s Paint, said: “Our survey showed that more than one in three football fans would be prepared to delay their wedding to watch their club or country play in a vitally important game.
“It got us thinking that there must be some very interesting stories about ‘other halves’ who have been left alone while their partner attends matches.
“It could be that a very important occasion was missed to ensure a big match was watched or a fan travels the length and breadth of the country every week to watch their club and leaves their loved ones behind.
“Our long association with the Football League Trophy means that we are all huge football fans at Johnstone’s, but we know there is always another side to the story as well!
“We are keen to hear lots of stories from fans or those who are deserted when their partners or family head off to matches.”
In the survey amongst football fans, Johnstone’s Paint also discovered that 36 per cent of fans would let down their best friend by not performing best man duties and 54 per cent would snub the chance to meet the Queen to watch their team play in a major domestic final at Wembley.
Entries to the competition can be made by posting a story on the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Facebook page or e-mailing Johnstonestrade.acuk@ppg.com by the end of July.
Johnstone’s Paint, which celebrates its 125th anniversary as a leading professional trade paint brand next year, has been bringing colour to the beautiful game since beginning sponsorship of the Football League Trophy in 2006.