Stiliyan Petrov - update

[Pete3206]

I'm pleased that we're going to get the opportunity to say our farewells but I'm going to struggle to get through it on Saturday.

It's ridiculous I know, as cancer is so random in who it victimises, but because our illnesses were similar and almost contemporaneous I've felt a bond with what he is going through.

In a period when footballers are so often derided for their behaviour, throughout his time here he's always been a credit to himself, his family and the club. He'll be fondly remembered.

Best of luck for the future, Stan.

[villa kicks]

I heard Dave W on radio traveling back was good to give petrov some air time after all the other stuff. Thanks for the words and agree that stan to be remembered and a continued part of club am sure he will in some capacity. I look forward to loudly applauding him Saturday. Outstanding courage he's shows in his battle. As a player he scored one of the best all time prem league goals against derby and always a positive player and role model.   

[Legion]

[Simba]

I think we can be proud of our Club, us the Fans, and other fans too for the way in which support has been given- but mostly of our Captain. He has handled it with incredible strength. I hope enough of us stay behind to  show our appreciation and respect.

My young Son and I lost my Mrs. to Cancer.

[Pat McMahon]

Sort of strange the first home game after the announcement of Stan's disease was against Chelsea and we play them the next game after his retirement announcement.
[/quote]

I thought so too Lizz. And Chelsea players and fans were top class that day - the players wearing support Stan t shirts and their fans joining in the 19th minute applause

[eastie]

I think we can be proud of our Club, us the Fans, and other fans too for the way in which support has been given- but mostly of our Captain. He has handled it with incredible strength. I hope enough of us stay behind to  show our appreciation and respect.

My young Son and I lost my Mrs. to Cancer.

Sorry to hear that simba, I hope Saturday is a great day to remember for all of us.

[PeterWithesShin]

Carlos Cuellar has paid a fulsome tribute to Stiliyan Petrov after the club captain announced his retirement from football.

Petrov, 33, has ended his playing career as he battles acute leukaemia, having been diagnosed in March 2012.

The cancer is in remission and the hugely-popular Bulgarian has announced he is setting up a foundation to help sufferers.

Sunderland defender Cuellar played alongside Petrov at Villa Park and says he's proud of what his former colleague has, and continues to, achieve.

"The news is hard, it is tough, but for me I prefer not to think anymore about Stan the player, I think about my friend, my brother and his health," he said.

"It is bad news that he has had to retire because football is what he loves, but the main thing is to win his personal battle against the cancer.

"I saw him recently and he looked better and well, which made me happy.

"He will be a big miss for football and for Aston Villa. He is a big character who loves jokes and he has been so important."

Cuellar added: "Stan has been a top player at the top level and shown everyone his quality.

"I am so proud of what he has achieved in football but I am prouder of what he is doing now because the battle is not easy."

In his statement released today, Petrov talks of his charity work as a "new challenge, one I will face with all the enthusiasm, energy and drive with which I have faced every single challenge."

And the Bulgarian's desire to help others comes as no surprise to Cuellar, who added: "Stan is a big inspiration and a good help for all those who are struggling with the same illness, the same battle in their lives.

"Famous people have more options to help people deal with things. I am so proud of Stan and the way he has approached and battled his illness."

[UK Redsox]

I emailed Paul Faulkner suggesting that Stan should lead the team out prior to the game and that the game should come to a halt for the 19th minute to allow players, staff and officials to join in the applause. I am sure that he won't mind me posting his response here.......

Thank you for your email.  In terms of Saturday, as I am sure you would expect, we have discussed long and hard with Stiliyan and ultimately the decision as to what he wanted to do, and felt comfortable doing, was left up to him.  We discussed the option of leading the team out, but being the true leader that he is, and a very selfless man, he didn’t want to overshadow the team or the game, and asked instead just to be with the squad and his team-mates for the lap after the game, a request we would obviously respect.  I’m sure it will be a very emotional moment when he does step back out onto the Villa Park pitch, and everyone in the stadium will let him know just exactly what he does mean to the entire Villa family.

 

Regards,

Paul

I'm disappointed that its been decided to combine Stan's appearance with the "lap of appreciation". As I mentioned earlier, I don't think that given the team's overall performance this season and the still precarious league position, that such a lap is merited.

However, due to Stan's participation, I'll be there applauding with everyone else.

[wookster]

As its a retirement through ill health, would Randy be getting a wedge from the clubs insurers?

[PeterWithesShin]

The lap is mainly for them to show their appreciation to us for our support. Bloody yokels not knowing stuff!

[Mortimer's Bear]

I definitely think it's time to retire the 19th minute applause after Wigan too.

[Steve kirk]

I know I will be in bits in the 19th minute and also at the end of the game, my wife's brother Steven is terminally ill with bone cancer, he is a Villa nut and has remained upbeat despite his condition but it's been very difficult for all of us, god bless Stan, Steven and all cancer sufferers.

[Dave]

Glad that he's doing well, my sisters not very well at the moment and it helps seeing people winning these difficult battles. Under-appreciated as a player it's good to see him getting his due recognition as a great bloke.

Best wishes to your sister mate, I hope all goes well for her !

Seconded.

I hope nobody makes the mistake of assuming that Villa's regard for Stan is based on us thinking that he is just a footballer who was struck by a terrible illness. He'd certainly won my heart as a player, captain and wonderful ambassador for the club long before that.

Absolutely Percy. I still find it astonishing that some people were keen to phase him out of the team/squad two or three years ago. There were some calls that he should be dropped and Reo-Coker played instead.

I really can't get my head around it.

[BenEeles]

I definitely think it's time to retire the 19th minute applause after Wigan too.

I'd imagine we'd retire the applause when he is fully recovered, as at the moment Stan still needs our support for the battle that he's facing. Just because he's retired doesn't mean we should stop.

[UK Redsox]

The lap is mainly for them to show their appreciation to us for our support. Bloody yokels not knowing stuff!

That walk home from Wigan isn't getting any shorter !