Petrov has Leukaemia

[Percy McCarthy]

I'd love nothing more than to see Petrov leading the team out again sometime in the future. But if Stan, his family and the doctors think it's for the best then good luck to them.

If true I'd still like to think he might one day rejoin the club in some suitable capacity.

[Yossarian]

Awful, awful news. Come on Stan, you can beat this.

[cheltenhamlion]

If he has had to jack it in then this 19th minute stuff should be done at every game until the end of the season.

[preston28]

If he has had to jack it in then this 19th minute stuff should be done at every game until the end of the season.

I doubt very much if he will resume football again - months of therapy (chemo can also cause irreverable heart muscle damage which will affect his ability to play again) combined with his age. I just hopes he beats this to lead a full and happy life after football.

[bob rowe]

Dreadful news,dig in Stan & fight it. Our thoughts are with you

[Risso]

Is it true Stan has decided to retire from football?

Very sad news but totally understandable

Seems to be the latest story doing the rounds.

I think there's a bit much being read into that.  He said football has to stop, but I like to think there's a [for now] in there.  That said, I've no idea if you can come back from it like you were before if you beat it.

[Ger Regan]

Is it true Stan has decided to retire from football?

Very sad news but totally understandable

Seems to be the latest story doing the rounds.

If so, I hope and expect the club to continue giving him and his family whatever support it can. I know we, the fans, will do so as well.

To be fair to the club, whatever their other shortcomings, as dave said before, you just know they'll do right in this situation. Always have done, always will.

[ozzjim]

Like Bolton have with Muamba, I would hope Villa would tell stan he has a position at the club if he wants it should he have to retire. He can have the managers job when he recovers if he wants it!

[timeoutbigbar]

Kendrick saying they're putting Petrov t-shirts on sale from midweek, proceeds going to charity of Stans choosing.

[Monty]

Is it true Stan has decided to retire from football?

Very sad news but totally understandable

Seems to be the latest story doing the rounds.

If so, I hope and expect the club to continue giving him and his family whatever support it can. I know we, the fans, will do so as well.

To be fair to the club, whatever their other shortcomings, as dave said before, you just know they'll do right in this situation. Always have done, always will.

Agreed. The things they get wrong are often football related, but this totally transcends and supercedes football in importance. They'll do the right thing.

[wookster]

Is it true Stan has decided to retire from football?

Very sad news but totally understandable

Seems to be the latest story doing the rounds.

If so, I hope and expect the club to continue giving him and his family whatever support it can. I know we, the fans, will do so as well.

To be fair to the club, whatever their other shortcomings, as dave said before, you just know they'll do right in this situation. Always have done, always will.

Agreed. The things they get wrong are often football related, but this totally transcends and supercedes football in importance. They'll do the right thing.

Is it true Stan has decided to retire from football?

Very sad news but totally understandable

Seems to be the latest story doing the rounds.

If so, I hope and expect the club to continue giving him and his family whatever support it can. I know we, the fans, will do so as well.

To be fair to the club, whatever their other shortcomings, as dave said before, you just know they'll do right in this situation. Always have done, always will.

Agreed. The things they get wrong are often football related, but this totally transcends and supercedes football in importance. They'll do the right thing.

The telegraph are running it as well as ESPN news http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/9177954/Stiliyan-Petrov-to-retire-from-football-after-leukaemia-diagnosis-saying-football-is-over-this-is-the-end.html

[Pete3206]

It's not surprising. Just have to make sure that he gets the care he needs and recovers for his family's sake. I accept that we'll never see him in the 1st team again, but I just hope he's around to attend games again in the not too distant future.

[PaulWinch again]

Whatever Stan needs is all that is important. Let's just hope he can get better, and have the opportunity to be with his family. If everything goes well and he wants to, then I'd love to have him back at the club in some capacity.

[Tony]

Nice touch from Bolton's Martin Petrov with his "Stay Strong Stan" T-Shirt that he revealed after he scored.

[scentless-apprentice]

BWFC fan here, would first like to say thanx for all the messages of support we(bolton banter)had from your fans while we all held our breath over Muamba and second say that Stiliyan Petrov is in our prayers and thoughts right now.

It's a horrible thing to go through as a fan never mind the player, his family,team and everyone that knows him but the best you guys can do is be strong and keep showing your support.

Look forward to the match in april and he both our fans have better news about our Hero's.

One Love people.