Boy who said 'Accrington Stanley, who are they?' in famous advert jailed for murder
The man behind the famous 'Accrington Stanley, who are they?' advert has been jailed for murder.
Kevin Spaine, now 43, wasn't even seen on camera in the 1980s ad, but his line went down in UK history as one of the most famous slogans of the decade.
The Liverpudlian was just a child when he gave his voice to the Milk Marketing Board, which saw him and another young lad, Carl Rice, rushing into the kitchen after a kick around the footie pitch.
When Rice reaches into the fridge for a glass of milk, he explains to a disgusted Spaine, "It's what Ian Rush drinks."
"And he says if I didn't drink lots of milk, when I grow up I'll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley," he adds, to which Spaine responds, "Accrington Stanley, who are they?"
The video ends with Rice uttering, "Exactly," implying that no one knows about the football club.
Though Carl has gone on to star in a number of TV shows since then, Kevin seemingly took a different path in life.
According to the Liverpool Echo, he reportedly spiralled into crime and drugs, having appeared in court approximately 40 times for nearly 100 offences.
The outlet went on to say that since 1999, he's faced a number of convictions including dealing heroin and crack cocaine and assault with intent to rob.
Things came to a head just yesterday (21 February) when Spaine was found guilty of the murder of Learoy Venner, who was beaten to death at a property on Belmont Drive in Anfield.
The convict returned to Liverpool Crown Court today (22 February) for his sentencing hearing, where he received life in prison with a minimum of 18 years.
John Harrison KC, defending, described Spaine's background, saying he was once a 'very promising young footballer' before descending into a life of crime.
"This defendant’s life has been ruined and dominated by the abuse of illegal drugs. He has a very long history of criminal offending," said Harrison.
"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.
"He played a part in that advertisement. At an age of 10 or 12, or however old he was, he had a promising future.
“Shortly afterwards, he sinks into a life of criminality. Twenty years later, he is convicted of murder.
“It’s not an unfamiliar spiral to the court, but it is a tragic one. Of course, he respects the jury’s verdict."
Daisy Phillipson