An Aston Villa Old Stars Xl are set to take on a Bulgarian Legends Xl in Sofia to recognise the contribution of Aston Villa club captain and former Bulgarian captain and international Stiliyan Petrov, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia last year.
The ‘ACTAVIS & FOOTBALL LEGENDS CHARITY TOUR’ is part of the “Support Stan” campaign and will raise money for the “Charity Fund for the Children of Bulgaria,” specially selected by the Bulgarian Minister of Health.
The travelling party of over 100 officials and guests from the UK, will be staying at the stunning Pravets Golf & Spa Resort, just 40 minutes from Sofia for the duration of the event and will include a 2 day fundraising Golf event on the Pravets Golf Course.
The game will take place on the 26th May at the National Stadium and will be televised live on national TV in Bulgaria. Bulgarian players will include Hristo Stoichkov, former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and members of the Bulgarian 1994 squad that reached the semi-final of the World Cup.
The Aston Villa team will be managed by former Villa star and Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch. The Aston Villa squad will include former players such as Stefan Postma, Mark Draper, Lee Hendrie, Mark Kinsella, Tony Daley and Alan Wright.
Neil Rioch, Chief Executive, Aston Villa Former Players Association said: “When the Aston Villa PFA was approached in October 2012 inviting a group of former players to visit Bulgaria to initially participate in a golf tournament and promote golf tourism in Bulgaria it seemed obvious to develop this further given the natural links between Aston Villa and Bulgaria by the way of Stiliyan Petrov. It was the Aston Villa PFA’s decision to make this a charity-led tour and we are thrilled with the level of support we have received in the UK and in Bulgaria.”
The Bulgarian Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Konstantin Dimitrov added: “This noble initiative has enjoyed the full support from all relevant Bulgarian institutions including Government ministries and some serious Bulgarian sponsors such as Actavis and Pravets Golf & Spa Resort. It’s tremendous recognition for the strong affection Bulgarian people hold for the former captain of the Bulgarian national team Stiliyan Petrov. Aston Villa FPA’s strong commitment to the idea of giving something back to Stiliyan’s country made this dream possible”.
A few places on the tour, which departs on Fri 24 May from Birmingham International Airport, returning Tue 28, are available for supporters and individuals to join the Aston Villa FPA party throughout. The fantastic package includes private charter flights and transfers, 4 nights full board accommodation, match ticket, Gala Dinner, etc. Golf is included at £695 per person. Non golfers cost is just £595.
To book your place on the tour then please contact Neil Rioch at neil@avfpa.co.uk / Tel: 0121 608 0088 or Mob: 07968 872776.
Caption: Stiliyan Petrov with Bruce Rioch (left) and Tony Daly (right) at the Event Press Conference.
