“Accrington Stanley – who are they?”
It’s a famous phrase that’s probably been uttered a million times after Liverpool were drawn against the League Two minnows in last night’s FA Cup third round. Yet the ironic thing is, most football fans know exactly who they are thanks to a famous 1980s milk advert.
The iconic ad features two young football fans, played by actors Carl Rice and Kevin Spaine, who have a discussion over milk. Dressed in a Liverpool strip, Rice tells his friend: “It’s what Ian Rush drinks. He said if I don’t drink lots of milk then when I grow up, I’ll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley.”
Spaine, who is off camera, then replies with the famous line: “Accrington Stanley, who are they?” as his co-star responds with a broad Scouse accent: “Exactly!” For decades, the witty script has followed the Lancashire-based club who have turned the joke into a badge of pride. But the advert’s legacy isn’t all lighthearted. While Rice – who was paid just £90 for the advert – went on to have a successful acting career including roles in Coronation Street, the life of his sidekick took a dark turn.
In February 2023, Spaine was sentenced to life in prison for murder after being convicted for the brutal killing of a man in an assault at a flat near Anfield. The former child actor was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years after his life spiraled into drug addiction and criminality years after his brief brush with fame.
Despite the dark chapter, the advert remains an iconic piece of British advertising history and a significant part of football folklore. After climbing their way through the football pyramid, Accrington Stanley now sit 19th in England’s fourth-tier, five points above the relegation zone. The two sides couldn’t be much further apart as title-chasing Liverpool take pride of place at the top of the Premier League.
Incredibly, it’s the first time both clubs will have faced each other since 1956 when legendary striker Billy Liddell scored both goals in a 2-0 win for Liverpool. Almost 68 years later, Accrington will be dreaming of a giant-killing as they look forward to a magical trip to Anfield.