Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on July 25, 2012, 08:31:45 PM
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I've just been told by a reliable source that he's in remission. Best news of the day.
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Absolutely. Great news. Best wishes Stan.
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Fantastic.He has won the battle,now it's time to win the war.
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Brilliant news, keep going Stan.
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Great news.
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Excellent. Delighted to hear this.
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Sorry, what does remission mean in this context?
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Cancer's gone but now they're trying to keep it gone.
Great news.
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Cancer's gone but now they're trying to keep it gone.
Great news.
Doesn't it mean it's at least stopped growing or something?
Whatever, it's great news!
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after last weeks news are you sure it is right. i hope so keep going stan
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Brilliant.
Keep fighting the good fight Stan and get back on the pitch.
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Fantastic news. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.
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after last weeks news are you sure it is right. i hope so keep going stan
I've been told by someone who's heard it pretty much direct, and on top of Mrs Heskey's tweet it seems credible enough.
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Fingers and toes crossed this is true.
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Fantastic news. Keep fighting Stan, we're all behind you and we always will be.
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Great stuff
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Best news for ages! Keep up the fight Stan
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Great news. Turned the corner, now keep fighting
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Cancer's gone but now they're trying to keep it gone.
Great news.
Doesn't it mean it's at least stopped growing or something?
Whatever, it's great news!
Yeah, could be.
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Cancer's gone but now they're trying to keep it gone.
Think it means at least some of the signs and symptoms have reduced/gone.
Great news.
Great news.
Doesn't it mean it's at least stopped growing or something?
Whatever, it's great news!
Yeah, could be.
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Great news!
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Fantastic news,always been a fighter,keep it going Stan.
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Excellent news.
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Keep fighting Stan - we're all behind you mate!
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Fantastic news.
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Good news indeed! Keep it up, Stan!
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Keep fighting Stan, long way to go, but you can do it. We must continue the 19th minute applause also
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Great news. Was a bit nervous when I saw the thread title but glad to read this!
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Great news.
Not an expert on remission but him off Breaking Bad went into remission in season 1 and they're on season 5 now so it must be good.
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Keep fighting the fight Stan.
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
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Great news, keep on fighting Stan, we're all behind you.
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Brilliant news.
Keep fighting skip.
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
Thanks for the info, Chris. I wasn't entirely sure what it meant, so that's made it a lot clearer.
Good start for Stan, excellent stuff.
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Fantastic news, keep going Stan. Imspirational, will give the club a further lift, so so pleased for a nice guy
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Hopefully it's great news. Keep up the fight Captain.
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Really superb news. The 19th minute thing has taken on a wonderful life of its own too. Good luck Stan.
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
Thanks for the info, Chris. I wasn't entirely sure what it meant, so that's made it a lot clearer.
Good start for Stan, excellent stuff.
That pretty much hits the nail on the head Chris.
My sister in law worked on the cancer unit for many years and said very much along the same lines, she did go into greater detail but I won't bore you all.
There are a couple of variants of leukemia, so it depends on which one Stan has.
It will help with him being a fit sportsman.
It's a long way to go, and I'm sure there'll be many ups and downs along the way.
Stan has 100% of Villa fans united in support of him.
Fingers, and anything else, crossed that the good news keeps coming.
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
I keep thinking Geoff Thomas and Bob Champion they made a sucessful recovery from this awful illness (and thats probably the wrong word.)
Its good news for Stan and his wife. Lets hope the positive news keeps coming.
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That's brilliant news keep fighting Stan.
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That's great news about Stan. Here's hoping the great news continues.
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Great news.
Not an expert on remission but him off Breaking Bad went into remission in season 1 and they're on season 5 now so it must be good.
Same logic I used. I wonder if Stan will sell me any crystal...
In all seriousness, this is amazing to hear, keep going Staniel - we love you.
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Good luck Stan. We are all behind you.
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Heard this last night via my eldest son. Great news. #19prayforstan
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I've just been told by a reliable source that he's in remission. Best news of the day.
That's brilliant news. Wishing Stan continued strength on the journey back to full health.
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
I keep thinking Geoff Thomas and Bob Champion they made a sucessful recovery from this awful illness (and thats probably the wrong word.)
Its good news for Stan and his wife. Lets hope the positive news keeps coming.
Geoff Thomas had/has a chronic leukemia which is a very different beast from the acute variant.
Bob Champion had testicular cance, which again is a whole different ball game.
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Could you rephrase your last sentence?
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
I keep thinking Geoff Thomas and Bob Champion they made a sucessful recovery from this awful illness (and thats probably the wrong word.)
Its good news for Stan and his wife. Lets hope the positive news keeps coming.
Geoff Thomas had/has a chronic leukemia which is a very different beast from the acute variant.
Bob Champion had testicular cance, which again is a whole different ball game.
Accidental pun?
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I hope that your last line was an unintended pun Pestria, then again some would argue that humour in dealing with this terrible disease is a necessary requirement.
My good mate and fellow Villan, JW, is celebrating his first year anniversary of his bone marrow transplant and apart from the obvious worry that his anonymous donor could be a Blue-nose, perish the thought, and the fact his DNA has changed he is in very good health and back at work.
Keep flicking the V's at this terrible disease, Stan.
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
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What it means is that the first round of treatment has been a success but there's a long way to go before he can be said to be free of the disease. The normal course of events, or at least what has happened to Leukemia sufferers that I know, would be to follow up the chemotherapy with a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. They usually reckon about 12 months treatment from start to finish for a typical sufferer (although a fit sportsmen is probably not a typical sufferer) so although this is good news and a great start there is still a way to go before we can say for certain that he's cured.
I'll just add as a disclaimer that I'm not a doctor and am just speaking from experience of people who I have met over the past few months and that it is entirely possible that other cases might take a different course entirely.
I keep thinking Geoff Thomas and Bob Champion they made a sucessful recovery from this awful illness (and thats probably the wrong word.)
Its good news for Stan and his wife. Lets hope the positive news keeps coming.
Geoff Thomas had/has a chronic leukemia which is a very different beast from the acute variant.
Bob Champion had testicular cance, which again is a whole different ball game.
Accidental pun?
quite deliberate
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
Sorry to hear that, hopefully he gets better soon.
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Fantastic news
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See you on Aston Park for a kickabout before home matches then Stan - great news
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
Hope it goes well for him.
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
Hope it goes well for him.
Seconded.
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully he will make a full recovery in time.
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully he will make a full recovery in time.
Me too.
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Seen him and family at Euston this evening. He looked well.
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Brilliant stuff.
I don't usually get emotional over stuff but there certainly will be tears welling up when he's back on the VP turf at some point next season even if it's just in a suit before a game.
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My father, massive Villa fan, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the start of the year, came through complete success, last Wednesday got the news he has Leukemia. Here is hoping he can pull through to remission like Stan and then has to get through another 5 years in remission until you are 'cured' of it.
Sorry to hear that, hope he gets well soon. Best wishes
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The word hero is thrown around a lot these days. But theres no way hero is nearly good enough for this man, can't wait to see him back at VP having beaten this, although I appreciate theres a long way to go #19
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The word hero is thrown around a lot these days. But theres no way hero is nearly good enough for this man, can't wait to see him back at VP having beaten this, although I appreciate theres a long way to go #19
Not to speculate on what may happen in the future involving his career, but you can imagine the reception he would get should he return to the pitch.
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The word hero is thrown around a lot these days. But theres no way hero is nearly good enough for this man, can't wait to see him back at VP having beaten this, although I appreciate theres a long way to go #19
Not to speculate on what may happen in the future involving his career, but you can imagine the reception he would get should he return to the pitch.
Would be a sell out 2 times over.
I'd love it to happen as he was my favorite player, unfortunately, though, I can't see it happening
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
Keep fighting the good fight. That goes for all on here who may be in a similar position, or has a loved one who is.
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Not sure he'll play again but a Laursen style farewell on the pitch before the game will do me.
That won't be a dry eye in the house.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
Keep fighting the good fight. That goes for all on here who may be in a similar position, or has a loved one who is.
Fair play ASHTONVILLA. Keep on fighting. My brother in law has 3 lots of cancer,1 in the throat, 1 on the liver and another in his ribs and he just does what the Docs say and has his treatment and fights every day. All the best to you my friend, you WILL WIN IN THE END. Keep believing in life.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
Yep keep fighting yourself and good luck with your battle. Great news about Petrov, what a inspirational man.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
Keep fighting ASHTONVILLA, best of luck brother.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
Keep fighting ASHTONVILLA, best of luck brother.
Seconded. All the very best to you.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
Good luck ASHTONVILLA. All the best and the same to anyone else on here
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Good luck ASHTONVILLA been in the same boat myself brother, make every day count!
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Good news and will it this or next year before he can resume playing football.
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I'd love to see him play again, and have a feeling it could happen this season.
I got diagnosed with cancer myself recently, and it's really encouraging to see someone like Petrov fighting and winning.
In the same boat myself, mate. Good luck with your treatment.
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To anyone anywhere; but especially to those of the H & V family suffering from any form of this insidious disease, I wish you full health and fitness as soon as possible and that you may go on and live your lives to the full. Stay positive.
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Good luck to you all. I've been thinking about those 19th minute applauses for Stan recently and the positive vibes they create. When I clap, it's for Stan and for everyone else fighting the battle - get well soon all of you.
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Good luck to you all.
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I'll be thinking of you all and wishing you all the best.
My 19th minutes from now on will be for all of you every bit as much as for Stan. Hopefully we can all draw something from the positive vibes and love for our captain. Good luck lads.
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It is with great delight that the club can confirm on behalf of our long-standing captain, Stiliyan Petrov, that Stan's acute leukaemia is in remission.
Stan would like to take this opportunity to express his deep gratitude to the medical staff who have looked after him so well since his condition was diagnosed just over four months ago.
He also wishes to place on record again his profound sense of appreciation for the incredible outpouring of love and support he has received from Villa fans, his team-mates and colleagues at the club, as well as football fans and many more people around the world during this period.
He and his family have been moved by the depth of feeling stirred in so many people and he has taken great strength from it, too.
Stan's fight is not over. There will be further battles to overcome in the days, weeks and months ahead.
But he would like to share with you this tremendous news now and, in time, deliver his own personal message to all of you.
On Stan's behalf, the club would like to thank everybody for continuing to respect Stan's privacy and his family's throughout his ongoing battle against acute leukaemia and for those who have raised awareness of the condition.
Stan remains very committed to this crusade going forward.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2869478,00.html
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Just read that on the OS, beat me to it PWS ;)
Brilliant news, keep it up Staniel.
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Fantastic news.
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Brilliant to hear that!
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Superb news.
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Fantastic news!
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That's fantastic. Really, really good news.
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Nice one Stan
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Superb news on Stan, keep the faith.
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Great news, looking forward to his full health returning soon.
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Well done Stan, keep on keepin' on.
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This is the best Villa news I've ever heard. Well done Stan.
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Great news indeed.
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Excellent news. It would be something special to see him back on the pitch in a Villa shirt. For his and his family's sake.
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Amazing news. Stay strong Stan. Let's hope he stays in remission.
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Round 1 to Stan.
A long way to go but being told that the treatment is working is a great boost. The mental side of serious illness is very important as you can't help but think about the implications of it not working so to be told that that things are progressing well really helps.
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Great news. Hope he's well enough to attend our first home game.
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Was anybody else unaware that he had his own autobiography?
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WIWGlvhhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
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I've seen it, never got round to buying it as I think it was released in paperback just after he signed for us. I think the hcvr was before he that, so always figured there wasn't much Villa in there.
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I'd like to believe he might write another one in a few years as a follow-on that talks about his time at Villa and his battle with Leukaemia. I bet that would be a really interesting read.
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And it will hopefully have a very very happy ending.
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Here's hoping.
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Brilliant news. Fight it all the way back, Stan.
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I envision Ed Harris sitting over him shouting 'Fight! Fight! you've never backed away from anything in your life! Fight!'
This is the best news I've heard for ages.
Even when I first heard, I had this picture in my head of him one day leading us out again to rapturous applause. I hope I see that again for real.
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So are we going to carry on doing it this season then? I didn't watch the whole of the West Ham game so I don't know if it was done then.
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I hope so.
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So are we going to carry on doing it this season then? I didn't watch the whole of the West Ham game so I don't know if it was done then.
It was done at West Ham and all the pre-season games we have been to.
It was also done at the NextGen game last Wednesday.
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Edit.
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So are we going to carry on doing it this season then? I didn't watch the whole of the West Ham game so I don't know if it was done then.
It was done at West Ham and all the pre-season games we have been to.
It was also done at the NextGen game last Wednesday.
Good to hear, thanks.
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I keep forgetting about it. They could do with some sort of sign to do to remind me when 19 minutes have gone. Maybe all the players start moon-walking or Dave Woodhall offers to get a round in? Nah, that's just me being ridiculous.
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I think the West Ham game was the first time we were actually putting a decent move together when the 19th minute clicked over. It was about 40 seconds into the minute when I realised it was the 19th minute.
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I think the West Ham game was the first time we were actually putting a decent move together when the 19th minute clicked over.
Well they don't come along very often.
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It was a good minute's applause at W Ham. Some of the lairy Hammers boys to the left of the away end ( their old Chicken Run I think) actually joined in, though a lot of fans didn't notice this so struck up a chant of No Respct my lord.
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In among all the transfer stories I spotted this.
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/08/31/photo-aston-villa-club-captain-stiliyan-petrov-spotted-at-training-ground-on-transfer-deadline-day-97319-31737111/
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There's always hope for Petrov. Just look at Mark Herzlich and his amazing story.
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How we could do with him back.
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Just heard about this................http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/leading-light/pedal-petrov. They've already got to Newcastle and leave there this morning with Geoff Thomas riding with them.
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How we could do with him back.
From what I saw against Newcastle the midfield looked fine without him. Obviously, he's a good player and would offer us something.
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We looked good in the middle v Newcastle.
Was more the Everton game we seem to have lacked some experience in the middle.
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In among all the transfer stories I spotted this.
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/08/31/photo-aston-villa-club-captain-stiliyan-petrov-spotted-at-training-ground-on-transfer-deadline-day-97319-31737111/
Looking at that picture it makes you realise he is a million miles away from playing again - that bastard disease (my best friends father died with it) really takes it out of you - even when you beat it
Good luck Stan keep fighting
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How we could do with him back.
From what I saw against Newcastle the midfield looked fine without him. Obviously, he's a good player and would offer us something.
I agree having seen the Newcastle game but the comment was posted before that and was based more on the Everton perfomance. I would still love Stan come back into the style of play that Lambert wants to embed though.
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I would still love Stan come back into the style of play that Lambert wants to embed though.
It would suit him very well and give him a chance to get forward a bit more.
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Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew, along with Shola Ameobi, Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson, got on their bikes for charity today.
The quartet joined Villa club masseurs Alex Butler and Andy Smith - and former England international footballer Geoff Thomas - on the second leg of their cycle challenge Pedal for Petrov, in support of captain Stiliyan Petrov.
As a group, they did a lap of the Sports Direct Arena pitch before the masseurs and ex-Crystal Palace midfielder Thomas hit the road again on the second leg of their gruelling charity ride.
Pedal for Petrov sawthe two masseurs start at Petrov's former club Celtic on Tuesday and they willcycle up to 80 miles a day over the following five days, finishing at Villa Park.
They are hoping to raise £250,000 for blood cancer charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
As well as the Sports Direct Arena, there are several other stops at Barclays Premier League football clubs en route, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton.
"It's fantastic," centre-back Williamson said. "Any events like this I love to be a part of and to encourage. It's a great cause and fantastic to meeting the lads and see the sort of effort they are going through over the next few days.
"There are some tough days ahead of them, physically and mentally, but the Villa masseurs aregoing the extra mile for the charity and deserve a lot of credit for that.
"It highlights the camaraderie and spirit within football clubs. You work together every day, build bonds and if someone is in trouble or needs help then everyone does whatever they can to support.
"I have played against Stiliyan a couple of times over the years. He's a fantastic player and as good guy as well. We all wish him a speedy and full recovery."
Jonathan Andrews, fundraising director at Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, said: "We are inspired by Alex and Andrew taking on this 400-mile Pedal for Petrov challenge.
"And we are so grateful that they are supporting Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research's life-saving work. The valuable funds they are raising will help us find better treatments and cures for patients with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma."
Rock band Ocean Colour Scene are set to play their hits at a special fundraising dinner at the end of the challenge.
Lead singer Simon Fowler and drummer Oscar Harrison are performing an acoustic set at the event, which is set to take place in the Holte Suite on Sunday September 9.
There will be a champagne reception and a delicious three-course meal for you to enjoy at the dinner, as well as a raffle and auction.
All proceeds raised will be donated to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
The price of a table of ten is £600 including VAT while individual seats are £60 including VAT per person.
To reserve your places please contact Rebecca Starkey by email rebecca.starkey@avfc.co.uk or call 0800 612 0960 (option two).
Alex and Andy have already raised over £40,000 through their Just Giving page and they have also set up a text message donation service.
Text Stan91, followed by the amount you wish to donate, to 70070.
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Credit to the Newcastle players and management joining in. It just goes to show what a well thought of bloke Stan is.
Wouldn't it be good for Alex and Andy if they got a large number of Villa fans to welcome them back on their return. When are they due to return?
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I know a lot of people don't like Pardew but fair play to the guy. Firstly he praises Villa and then does this for Stan.
He has gone up a great deal in my estimation of him over the past week.
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Credit to Newcastle.
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There's no question retaining the Barclays Premier League title with Manchester City is high on Gareth Barry's to-do list.
But Barry says there'd be "no better feeling" for him than shaking hands with Stiliyan Petrov, playing against him in midfield and giving him a massive hug on the final whistle after a titanic battle.
Barry knows that good mate Petrov's main priority is beating leukaemia once and for all.
But he says that's no reason why he can't dream of a reunion on the pitch in the coming years.
"My heart sank when I heard about Stan's leukaemia diagnosis," said Barry.
"I have known Stan for many years, I know his wife and his two children really well too. I was thinking of them all.
"It was really hard to accept and to take in. I found words hard to come by. When I'd meet up with Stan soon after, it was difficult to find the right things to say.
"But if anyone could beat it, it's Stan because of his incredible strength of character. It's started really well and I'm just praying now that he can take that on, fully recover and have a wonderful life with his fantastic family.
"Stan came over to my house on Wednesday and I went over to his place on Sunday to catch up with him and his family and watch the Newcastle v Villa game on MOTD.
"Every time I see him he's looking better. He looked good on the Wednesday and then even healthier on Sunday. I am hoping he can keep improving.
"It would be great to think we could shake hands on the pitch in the coming years and then have a right good battle in central midfield and then enjoy a big hug after the game.
"Stan isn't silly. He know he needs time to recover and get back to normal. But I also know how much Stan loves football too. And I know what it would mean for him to get back into football and on the pitch.
"There would be no better feeling for me than to have a good battle with him on the football pitch. Stan will take it a day at a time and see what happens."
The friendship of Barry and Petrov developed very early on, soon after the Bulgarian joined Villa in a £6.5m deal in August 2006. Barry had followed Petrov's career from afar in Scotland and been very impressed with his goalscoring heroics in green and white hoops. So he was delighted when Petrov signed on the dotted line. But he says nothing could have prepared him for Petrov's impact - both on and off the pitch.
"I was very excited when Villa signed Stan because his record in Scotland with Celtic was phenomenal. His winning mentality was there for all to see having been so successful north of the border and I was also aware of his incredible goalscoring abilities.
"As soon as he signed, you could tell in training what a great player he was and, in the dressing room, what a fantastic guy he was.
"He was a real team player, always looking out for the lads and he was also one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet.
"On the pitch, he was a fantastic professional. Playing with him was just brilliant, I really enjoyed it and I think we struck up a good partnership with Villa.
"I remember that first game he played at Upton Park really well. In terms of debuts, I don't think you'll see better.
"He settled in straight away and his performance against West Ham was just incredible, absolutely outstanding.
"He's kept that standard up for many, many years now in the Villa shirt and that just shows his consistently impressive form. He's been a fantastic player for Villa.
"He did have a time out of the team in that first season. Any time a player is out of the team you need to be mentally strong and there aren't many better with that than Stan. He has that in abundance.
"I remember him in training during that time. He never let his head drop and just kept plugging away, trying to get back into the team.
"It was only a matter of time before a player of Stan's quality found himself back in the side. It wasn't too long. Once he got back, he's rarely been out of the team again.
"Stan's strength is his composure on the ball, he never seems to panic, always seems to find the right pass. I enjoyed playing alongside him.
"I think we're similar players in that respect. We like the ball at our feet and play the same sort of passes. We bounced off each other and it was great to play with him.
"As a player he's brilliant. As a person he's exemplary. You speak to anyone in the game and it doesn't matter if you've met him once or a hundred times, people say great things about him. He is one of the most popular men in football, no doubt about it!
"He is so friendly, such a nice guy. He's got good banter in the dressing room but equally he knows when it's time to be serious and professional. You will only hear good stuff said about Stan.
"He's got a great mix in his character. He knows when it's time to have a laugh and a joke and his banter is excellent and appreciated in the dressing room. He can be a real joker.
"But when it's time for football, it's time for football. He knows the perfect time for joking, the right time for doing the right thing.
"To have Stan in the dressing room around younger players, he's just the perfect role model."
Naturally, Barry has been following the Pedal for Petrov challenge taken on by Andy Smith and Alex Butler.
The masseurs are biking from Celtic Park to Villa Park, arriving in B6 on Sunday before a tribute dinner for Petrov takes place in the Holte Suite.
Barry put his name down for a table of ten the moment he found out about the black-tie event and can't wait to welcome the lads back.
"I was delighted when I heard Smudge and Big Al were going to make this massive effort. To do this for Stan shows what he means at Bodymoor Heath among the backroom staff.
"To arrange something like this is amazing. I enjoyed the thought of the two of them putting some hard work in to get into shape for the challenge - they know how we feel now!
"It is important for me to be there on Sunday for Stan, obviously. As soon as I heard about it, I knew I had to be there. I'm really looking forward to it."
Rock band Ocean Colour Scene are set to play their hits at a special fundraising dinner at the end of the challenge.
Lead singer Simon Fowler and drummer Oscar Harrison are performing an acoustic set at the event, which is set to take place in the Holte Suite on Sunday September 9.
There will be a champagne reception and a delicious three-course meal for you to enjoy at the dinner, as well as a raffle and auction.
All proceeds raised will be donated to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
The price of a table of ten is £600 including VAT while individual seats are £60 including VAT per person.
To reserve your places please contact Rebecca Starkey by email rebecca.starkey@avfc.co.uk or call 0800 612 0960 (option two).
Alex and Andy have already raised over £40,000 through their Just Giving page and they have also set up a text message donation service.
Text Stan91, followed by the amount you wish to donate, to 70070.
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Really amazing words there from Gareth. I'm not crying, I've just been chopping onions.
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"As a player he's brilliant. As a person he's exemplary. You speak to anyone in the game and it doesn't matter if you've met him once or a hundred times, people say great things about him. He is one of the most popular men in football, no doubt about it!"
I remember thinking, when Stan returned to Villa Park for the first time against Chelsea, their sub, Portuguese full back Paulo Ferreira went over to him to have a word, give him a hug. What surprised me was how genuinely they seemed to be friends, chatting away and wondered how the hell they knew each other.
Great to hear Stan is back on track but he'll still need all this strength to make a full recovery. We're all with you, Stan.
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fair play to Gareth Barry for those genuine words, maybe they are human afterall.
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Of course they're human. They're also extremely rich.
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Gareth Barry has summed it up perfectly, can imagine the two of them watching Villa last week at Newcastle and going beserk when Clark scored his header. Both have had their critics, Barry rightly so with the Liverpool debacle, but both have a love of Aston Villa Football Club.
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Sounds like he's doing OK: Petrov speaks for first time since leukamia remission news (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2914438,00.html)
I drove all the way up to the Midlands in August for a couple of weeks and, when on the way back down again and waiting in the queue to catch the ferry at Dover, saw an HGV drive off our ferry as it unloaded, with a great big picture of Stan alongside the message 'Support Stan' and the Villa badge. Certainly made an impression on me. Has this kind of thing been common around Brum and the Midlands?
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As some of you may know, me and another H&V poster write for a website called Pick Our Team. Obviously, we want as many people as possible to visit. But this isn't why I'm writing here. Basically, my colleague Sean has written a diamond of an article about Stan's battle with leukaemia following on from Sunday's event and I wanted everybody to take a look. Stan's story has a parallel in the American game; I won't go into too much detail as I'd like you to read about it but it's a "chopping onions" moment in its own right.
If you want to have a look, you can find it at I write for a site called pickourteam.com. Today, a colleague of mine posted an article about Stan that I think is superb - very thought-provoking and says much about his fight. You can find it here:
http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/aston-villa/blog/11-09-2012/petrov-battle-provides-perspective
You'll have to forgive my vested interest in placing this link in the thread but I think it's relevant to the weekend's events as well.
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Sounds like he's doing OK: Petrov speaks for first time since leukamia remission news (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2914438,00.html)
I drove all the way up to the Midlands in August for a couple of weeks and, when on the way back down again and waiting in the queue to catch the ferry at Dover, saw an HGV drive off our ferry as it unloaded, with a great big picture of Stan alongside the message 'Support Stan' and the Villa badge. Certainly made an impression on me. Has this kind of thing been common around Brum and the Midlands?
A Bulgarian haulage firm has put it on all of their vehicles.
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Seeing all those former Villa players was heartwarming, particularly Reo-Coker who said Villa will always be a family and families stick together.
Barry's and Young's words were also wonderful to hear, along with Curtis Davies, Carlos, etc., and has reiterated to me what a wonderful club Aston Villa are.
We're all with you Stan.
Up the Villa.
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Seeing all those former Villa players was heartwarming, particularly Reo-Coker who said Villa will always be a family and families stick together.
Barry's and Young's words were also wonderful to hear, along with Curtis Davies, Carlos, etc., and has reiterated to me what a wonderful club Aston Villa are.
We're all with you Stan.
Up the Villa.
Bang on, whatever happens on the pitch, the vast majority of the time, we can be rightly proud of how members, or former members, conduct themselves.
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Sounds like he's doing OK: Petrov speaks for first time since leukamia remission news (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2914438,00.html)
I drove all the way up to the Midlands in August for a couple of weeks and, when on the way back down again and waiting in the queue to catch the ferry at Dover, saw an HGV drive off our ferry as it unloaded, with a great big picture of Stan alongside the message 'Support Stan' and the Villa badge. Certainly made an impression on me. Has this kind of thing been common around Brum and the Midlands?
A Bulgarian haulage firm has put it on all of their vehicles.
Thanks for the info, mate.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/petrov-1_zpscf901578.jpg)