What have Stuart Pearce, Julian Dicks and Denis Irwin got in common?

They were all proud wearers of the number three shirt and would be in line to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy's latest interactive fans' competition - if they were still playing.

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy is celebrating the third year of its sponsorship with the football league by calling on supporters to vote for their favourite left backs who are currently wearing the number three shirt for their clubs.

Whether it's an inspirational skipper, a favourite penalty taker, or just a terrace cult hero, as long as they wear the number three shirt, we want you to give them a shout.

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy is running an online poll on its new and improved website www.johnstonespainttrophy.com, where supporters can log on and vote for their favourite player.

The deadline for entries is September 15 2008.

One lucky person will be picked at random to win a limited edition Johnstone's Paint Trophy match ball from the 2007/08 final and present the winning left back with a magnum of champagne.

Johnstone's Paint Trophy sponsorship manager Teresa Hardwick said: "We are proud to be sponsoring the football league trophy for a third year.

"Our partnership goes from strength to strength, and clubs are taking the competition more and more seriously.

"One of the reasons for this is the fans' infectious passion for the game. We want to reward these supporters, which is why we have come up with this novel initiative.

"And let's face it, the humble number three never seems to grab the limelight."

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy will get under way with the first round next week. Cheltenham Town have been given a bye so will enter this year's competition at the second round stage.

Competition Terms and conditions:
1. Competition starts 16.08.08 and closes 15.09.08; 2. The Competition is open to all residents of UK and Ireland and aged 18 years or over except employees of PPG Architectural Coatings EMEA; 3. Only one entry per person; 4. Participants can only enter the competition electronically i.e. by email; 5. How to enter - No Purchase Necessary - Simply fill in your details and click on Go; 6. By entering the Competition the entrant understands the terms and conditions of entry and agrees to take part in any publicity arising from the Competition; 7. The prize will be a limited edition Johnstone's Paint Trophy match ball from the 2007/08 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final and the opportunity to present a magnum of champagne to the winning number three player at a mutually convenient time and place; 8. There are no cash alternatives to the prizes. Any tax liability arising from the prize will be the responsibility of the recipient; 9. The promoter reserves the right to vary or terminate this Competition at any time due to wholly exceptional circumstances beyond their control that make it impossible to continue. Promoter: PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, Huddersfield Road, Birstall, Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 9XA.