Billy Birmingham enters the world of eCommerce
As you may have read on www.news.com.au my product has been snubber by retailers so it’s time to enter the world of digital and go it alone.

THE 12th Man is the Christmas gift that Australian retailers have rejected. Despite generating sales of more than two million records in Australia, major retailers told The 12th Man creator Billy Birmingham to sell his new merchandise online.

The sports comedy creation has been a staple of the summer cricket season - and Christmas - for 27 years, with all of The 12th Man records also heavily bootlegged throughout the UK and India.

Instead of heading back into the recording studio to deliver another round of Richie Benaud, Tony Greig and Bill Lawry gems, Birmingham decided to celebrate the 2011/12 cricket season with "talking" products and T-shirts.

Stubbie holders and bottle openers utter classic 12th Man catchphrases including "Got him, yes", "What a catch" and "Marrrrrvelous" in all their naughty glory.

Birmingham said it was ironic retailers who had bemoaned the growth of online shopping had decided not to stock 12th Man merchandise.

"For some unknown reason, they don't get the idea of the merch," he said.

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Billy Birmingham meets three cricketing legends
Last week, Billy Birmingham (The 12th Man) caught up with three very special cricketing legends in Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Ian Botham and Sir Richard Hadlee. Birmingham was typically unfazed about meeting the famous trio, saying he was actually quite used to having three big knights in a row these days!! “The opportunity for me to catch up with Sir Ian’Beefy’ Botham (The Heavy Knight), Sir Vivian (The Dark Knight) and Sir Richard (The Quiet Knight In) was obviously a big thrill” said Birmingham, “for all three of those guys.” According to Birmingham, “they were all huge 12th Man fans and were all over me like spots on grandma. They not only wanted photos with me, but free samples of my merchandise products as well. Of course, I said no, and suggested they should buy them online at www.the12thman.com”

“They absolutely loved my merch, especially the ‘talking’ products” said Birmingham. “They were all trying to impress me with their impersonations of Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig. Sir Richard was definitely the best. Especially his ‘Bill Lawry’. It was eerily accurate”, Birmingham noted.