COLIN Sylvia might not have heard of top-rating radio station 3AW nor recognise the 2007 change of Federal Governments but he can sure sell a membership.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said Sylvia was the club’s top salesman during a campaign run last week.

And he was disappointed his good work had been overshadowed by an apparent gaffe about who was the current Prime Minister made during a call to one lapsed member, 3AW radio presenter Neil Mitchell.

Mitchell relayed his conversation with Sylvia on air last week and the incident was also reported in some News Ltd newspapers.

Sylvia had contacted Mitchell during the Melbourne membership drive because he had not renewed.

The Demon asked the high profile Melbourne-based radio personality what he did for a living, as he had not heard of him or 3AW.

Mitchell told Sylvia he worked on radio and that he could tune in the following morning, as he was interviewing the Prime Minister. Sylvia replied: 'So how is John Howard?'

Although Bailey conceded it may have been "funny" that Sylvia did not know that Kevin Rudd was now Australia's Prime Minister, he was frustrated the full story of Sylvia's efforts during the membership drive had not been told.

"You've got to be careful how things are put in the media,” Bailey said.

“Last week, Col Sylvia had an opportunity to ring telethon members … but what didn't get out was that Col sold the most memberships – he sold about 25 or 26 memberships," Bailey said.

"Col spoke to at least 40 or 50 people over the phone, so that didn't quite get out. Col probably banked $3500 to $4000 in one night and I reckon he's done a pretty good job, Col.

"So we've got to be careful about what we comment on … I thought Col's effort last week was pretty good."

Bailey said good naturedly that Sylvia "might've been" pulling Mitchell's leg when he thought Howard was still Australia's prime minister.

"Col's a pretty honest sort of bloke. He probably thought that John [Howard] might've been on the show, but we were happy with his $3500 to $4000 worth of membership sales he pulled in too, which was fantastic," Bailey said.

"Sometimes those little things get missed."

For the record, Mitchell, who is also an MCC member, renewed his membership through Sylvia.