Special Accrington Stanley sweets have been created to pay homage to an iconic television advert which helped to make the club one of the most famous in the country.
The Reds are producing their own branded ‘milk bottles’ to sell to loyal fans.
They are aimed at reminding fans of the advert for drinking milk which was broadcast in the mid-1980s in which one young Liverpool fan tells another that he will only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley if he doesn’t drink milk.
The ad gave birth to the infamous line: “Accrington Stanley? Who are they?”
Now club bosses are hoping to take advantage of its enduring appeal.
Accrington Stanley managing director Rob Heys said: “The milk advert is just one of the reasons our club is so famous. Creating this product was a great experience as it was a chance to bring together local businesses. As soon as we approached Stockley’s and Seaways they jumped at the chance of getting involved.
“It has coincided perfectly with the Christmas period and the opening of our shop in Oswaldtwistle Mills. We hope it proves to be a fun and affordable stocking filler for football fans and sweet lovers.”
The idea for the branded milk bottle was started during a conversation in the Crown Pub, which is owned by the football club, between landlady Emma Gilmartin and Murray Dawson from marketing agency Scott Dawson Advertising. Murray, who is also on the board at Stanley, said: “I have to put my hands up and say we stole Emma’s idea and quickly sprang into action.”
Stockley’s Sweets, which was founded in Church before moving to Blackburn, provided the treats. Scott Dawson designed the product while Seaways Services in Simonstone supplied the milk bottles. To order a milk bottle visit www.wearestanley.co.uk or call in to the club shop, the Crown or Oswaldtwistle Mills.
