FURIOUS bosses at soccer minnows Accrington Stanley are crying foul over a spoof magazine article which claims the club's new strip is emblazoned with insults to Manchester United.

Stanley, who finished bottom of last year's UniBond Premier League, have written to the European champions pointing out that there is no truth in the story which appeared in the New Musical Express.

The first the Crown Ground club knew of the article was when someone claiming to be from BBC Radio One telephoned their office to try and buy one of the non-existent shirts.

Stanley's commercial director John Demaine has sent a copy of the article to United chief executive Martin Edwards along with a letter explaining that Stanley knew nothing about the article and have nothing but respect for the treble-winning team.

The letter states: "Chairman Eric Whalley and the directors are disgusted by this article. We feel that this should be taken further and that the magazine should not be able to get away with its remarks."

Mr Demaine said he had not yet decided whether to consult solicitors over the article and was waiting for a response from Manchester United, after which he will consider the club's legal position.

Mr Demaine said: "It is totally derogatory, both to ourselves and to Manchester United. Why should they think they can use our name and get away with it?

"I know it is supposed to be a skit, but if you don't read the magazine normally you might not realise."

A spokesman for the NME said: "No comment".

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