Stiliyan Petrov - update

[PeterWithesShin]

We inducted 12 into it in 2006, and no one since.

Hall of Fame

[silhillvilla]

I thought Carlos Cuellar's comments today were very touching, too.

What did he say ?

[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."

[PaulWinch again]

Great words from Carlos.

[PeterWithesShin]

[joe_c]

One of the things I liked about Petrov was that in just about every game, he had one moment where he did something that made me think "wow" - an excellent pass or something.

It is horribly cruel that he should have to retire through this. I also can't help but think what an influence he'd have had on this young team this season, too.

I've thought the same myself. Looking at he squad we began the season with and seeing the way many of the senior players have marginalised or shipped out, it's hard to imagine Petrov receiving similar treatment had he been available for selection.

But whatever his merits as a player, there can be no question as to his qualities as a person. Apologies for forgetting who said "dignity, class, passion" earlier in the the thread but that pretty much sums him up and I'm very glad that we can count him as one of our own.

[Sexual Ealing]

I love that man.

I lost my old man to cancer 13 months ago. I won't be there, I hope he gets to realise what he means to us and, much more importantly, gets through it al. #19

[Matt C]

Terribly sorry to hear that VNV and those others that have been impacted by this dreadful illness.

I hope Stan continues to make a full recovery and gets the send-off he deserves, which I'm sure he will. We'll miss him but we'll never forget.

[UK Redsox]

I didn't hang about last season after the spurs game I had much better things to do.

Saturday I will stay and applaud the lads and Stan . Yes we've had some nightmares but generally the effort has been first class.

Seeing Stan is going to be very emotional.

The kick off time should also help keep people around after the game. When a game finishes at close to 5pm, people are probably more likely to have to dash off somewhere else than they are after an earlier match.

[UK Redsox]

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

There are a few things about which this club can be proud this season, and the continued 19th minutes tribute is one. But I support the view that to continue the 19th minute into next season may start to look self-serving.

Yeah I also agree with that, I wonder what people think about retiring the shirt number?

Does that happen in football ?

Its a regular occurrence in US sport but I haven't heard of it being done in football over here.

[john e]

I didn't hang about last season after the spurs game I had much better things to do.

Saturday I will stay and applaud the lads and Stan . Yes we've had some nightmares but generally the effort has been first class.

Seeing Stan is going to be very emotional.

The kick off time should also help keep people around after the game. When a game finishes at close to 5pm, people are probably more likely to have to dash off somewhere else than they are after an earlier match.

a lot depends on the final score. if its another thrashing I cant see many sticking around

i'm taking my 5 year old to his first match on Saturday, so hope its not.
 although he's not really into football yet, and probably wont understand much of whats going on,
so i'm going to be buying plenty of crisps and sweets

[Neil Hawkes]

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

There are a few things about which this club can be proud this season, and the continued 19th minutes tribute is one. But I support the view that to continue the 19th minute into next season may start to look self-serving.

Yeah I also agree with that, I wonder what people think about retiring the shirt number?

Does that happen in football ?

Its a regular occurrence in US sport but I haven't heard of it being done in football over here.

We invented the modern game, we do what we want! :-)

[London Villan]

Someone has paid for 3000 Petrov masks to be printed for the Wigan game.

[Clampy]

I saw one or two clips of Stan on the telly yesterday. I'm not sure how old the footage was but he did look a lot better than he has done, which was heartwarming really.

[JD]

I sat at work today and read the articles and comments on Stan's retirement and had tears streaming down my face (not a good look when you are the Boss). No-one said anything but a friend said I had had some bad news and was best left alone.

I love you Stan, you are a hero and an inspiration.