[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by Tickler

how do you think Manchester united have such a large turnover in their business .... its through merchandising ... yes i know theres a difference in clubs but the proceedure is the same.

Been banging on about this for years, mate. Here's what I said in the late, lamented "There's No F In Roof"

Way back in the wilderness years, occasional “Where are they now?” type articles about Stanley used to appear in the national press from time to time. One such piece contained the following somewhat cryptic quote, “Accrington Stanley are the Manchester United of the working classes.”

No, I don’t understand it either. However, there is one parallel that can be drawn between the two clubs. They are both footballing institutions and, as such, their merchandise is highly marketable, even to those who are not active supporters of the club. Obviously, this demand is on a much greater scale with United and they have responded by developing a well-appointed superstore at Old Trafford, backed up by a slick worldwide marketing operation.

It’s high time that Stanley did the same, albeit on a smaller scale, in order to really reap the benefit from being “one of football’s most famous names.”

...and I was writing much the same in the equally-late lamented "The Barber's Pole" around 15 years ago! Sadly, it's always fallen on deaf ears. Hopefully, at long last, things will start changing under Lew!