The sinister story behind child TV star who featured in the iconic 1989 Accrington Stanley milk advert as clip resurfaces ahead of FA Cup tie against Liverpool
The sinister story behind child TV star who featured in the iconic 1989 Accrington Stanley milk advert as clip resurfaces ahead of FA Cup tie against Liverpool
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As Accrington Stanley prepare for their FA Cup third-round clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, memories of the iconic 1989 milk advert have resurfaced. The advert, which famously coined the line 'Accrington Stanley... who are they?' has become synonymous with the League Two club. However, behind the lighthearted commercial lies a more sinister story.
![[Accrington Stanley pictured after the penalty shootout win against Swindon Town]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/14/93960739-14269985-image-m-3_1736520612349.jpg)
Commissioned by the Milk Marketing Board to promote the health benefits of milk, the advert became a pop-culture sensation. It featured two young boys, one of whom, played by Carl Rice, dons a Liverpool shirt and explains that Ian Rush told him drinking milk was the key to becoming a great footballer.
![[In February 2023, Kevin Spaine (pictured right) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Learoy Venner in Liverpool]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/15/93964097-14269985-image-m-13_1736524572715.jpg)
When his friend, played by Kevin Spaine, scoffs at the idea, Rice famously retorts that without milk, he'd only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley. Spaine delivers the punchline: 'Accrington Stanley... who are they?' Rice's unforgettable reply, 'Exactly!', cemented the advert in cultural memory.
While the ad humorously lampooned Accrington's obscurity at the time, the club embraced the newfound attention. As Accrington Stanley prepare for their FA Cup third-round clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, memories of the iconic 1989 milk advert have resurfaced (above).
Accrington Stanley pictured after the penalty shootout win against Swindon Town. In February 2023, Kevin Spaine (pictured right) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Learoy Venner in Liverpool. Though Tottenham Hotspur were initially meant to be the butt of the joke, their objection paved the way for Accrington's inclusion. The club earned £10,000 from the advert, which helped solidify their identity in footballing lore.
