Halesowen Town to host charity match in honour of AVFC captain Petrov (From Halesowen News)

Halesowen Town to host charity match in honour of AVFC captain Petrov

2:10pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News

FOOTBALLING stars from across the country are set to descend on Halesowen next month for a charity football match in honour of Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov.

Halesowen Football Club will see the likes of former Villain and Manchester City star Gareth Barry coming to watch a Stan Petrov Select X1 play an Aston Villa legends.

Villa captain is recovering from Leukamia and a host of charity events are being held to raise money for the cancer research including Pedal for Petrov bike rides.

England midfielder Gareth Barry, who is still in regular contact with Petrov, said: “We are all good friends of Stan’s and what the lads are doing is great as it boosts the Pedal for Petrov and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research appeal.

“I am looking forward to watching the game and it should be an entertaining day out, not just for Villa fans but football fans in general.”

The Petrov X1 are being sponsored for the match by security company Protection Services International who employ Hendrie as a consultant and they are providing the team with kit while Harborne-based designer menswear store Resonate are sponsoring the match balls.

A match day raffle and auction of football memorabilia will also be held to boost the fund Cathy Gilman, chief executive at Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, said: “We are so grateful that the boys are supporting our 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.”

Villa fan Dean Dodds, who is now organising the match on Sunday, November 18 as the Stan Petrov Select XI , said support had come from a host of sources including past and present VIlla stars, Birmingham born players like Seth Johnson and former manager Ron Atkinson.

Halesowen have donated the use of the ground for free and the day is aimed at football fans and families alike and will feature a pig roast and bar. Petrov himself has even pledged to try and attend if he feels well enough on the day.

The match kicks off at 1:30pm at The Grove in Old Hawne Lane and admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Gates open from 12 noon and with capacity limited to 4,000, fans will be welcome on a first come first served basis.