Sinister story behind famous Accrington Stanley milk advert will shock fans as Liverpool draw minnows in FA Cup
A former child actor who appeared in the famous Accrington Stanley milk advert was given a life sentence.
The milk advert re-emerged on social media following Accrington's draw with Liverpool in the FA Cup.
The League Two side will travel to Anfield for one of the standout ties of the third round.
Accrington are synonymous with the milk advert, but there is a sinister story behind the commercial that aired in 1989.
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In the advert, Kevin Spaine wore a Liverpool football kit and delivered the famous line: "Accrington Stanley... who are they?"
Spaine's character, whose face doesn't appear in shot, asks another boy - who's played by Carl Rice: "Have you got any lemonade?"
To which he replied: "If you want."
As he pours himself a glass of milk, Spaine reacts by saying: "Milk? Eurgh."
Rice responds: "It’s what [the former Liverpool forward] Ian Rush drinks. He said if I don’t drink lots of milk, when I grow up, I’m only going to be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley."
Spain then uttered the line: "Accrington Stanley... who are they?"
Rice answered: "Exactly!"
In 2023, Spaine was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years at Liverpool crown court.
The court was told his life descended into crime and using drug.
He was convicted of killing Learoy Venner by 'repeatedly punching and kicking him' in an assault in Anfield, Liverpool, in July 2022.
John Harrison KC, who appeared on behalf of Spaine, told the court his client was formerly a 'very promising young footballer'.
"This defendant’s life has been ruined and dominated by the abuse of illegal drugs. He has a very long history of criminal offending," he said in his mitigation.
"We know he’s been in this situation for 20 years or more, but he wasn’t always like that.
"Mr Spaine was a very promising young footballer, and he appeared in a very famous advertisement on the television - an advert for milk involving Accrington Stanley."
Nasir Jabbar