You are going where?

So I'm heading over to Birmingham for the final home game vs Spurs and to also play in the Chairmen's game on the same day.  Telling friends here in the U.S. where and why I am traveling to Birmingham is always an adventure.  Those who are football fans totally get it and are excited for me.  Some say, "Aston what?".  While others might say, "Interesting."  The way I see it, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity - to play on the Villa Park pitch!
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On another note - I wonder how hard would it be to connect more with the U.S. Lions Clubs?  Obviously, the geographic differences make meeting up regularly impossible.  Do we talk about doing someone annually?  It is great to hear about all of the activity that this summer's tour is creating all across the U.S.  Looking forward to creating great U.S. hospitality for our Villa lads.

Support Stan...in Portland!

I was fortunate to have been in contact with both the Portland Timbers and Aston Villa today with a request to have the "Support Stan" graphic shown on the in-stadium screen at Jeld Wen Field in July for a 19th minute applause for Stiliyan.  The Timbers organization was happy to help out and Aston Villa will arrange to have the image emailed for use in Portland.  Alot of thanks to the Timbers for being open to the idea and to provide a response very quickly.  It will be nice for Villa supporters living in the western U.S. to be able to participate in a 19th minute ovation for our captain.     

Processing Tickets

Just received the group tickets for the Villa/Portland Timbers match and spent a little time tonight processing them to send them out to those members I have received payments from already.  Its pretty exciting to have this event coming up in July.  With the physical tickets in hand - it is starting to feel very REAL now.  Being part of a supporters group so far from Birmingham has its challenges.  Since AVFC California covers the entire state, we are spread out geographically.  This Portland trip will be great to have a bunch of us together in one place.  I know that the English chairmen have there own set of challenges too (buying match tickets, arranging coaches, away fixture travel, etc.).  Technology helps keep some of us Villans abroad in touch and connected with the Club.

Also received my Spurs match ticket from Birmingham in the post today.

So...why Villa?

Being a native Californian that grew up playing the typical American team sports (baseball, American football, and basketball). my interest in the Beautiful Game came on late in life.  In 2004-2005, I began to take an interest in my local Major League Soccer (MLS) side San Jose Earthquakes and went to a few games.  A couple of years later, I began following the major European leagues on television.  Understanding a season that involves league games, cup games, derbys, Champions League, Europa League, etc. was mind boggling at first.  Since so many Premiership games are now televised in the States and that it is known as the most popular league in the world - it only made sense to pick a Premiership team to support.

I am also a volunteer at a local East Bay pediatric palliative care facility called the George Mark Children's House.  I had heard about Acorn's Children's Hospice - which had facilities that George Mark Children's House was modeled after.  One day, while continuing to search for a team to follow in the Premiership, Acorns had just become Villa's charity partner (and shirt sponsor at that time).  I thought, "Was this the same "Acorns" that I knew about?"  Sure enough it was and my search for a Premiership team to support and follow ended.  It had to be Aston Villa.  I made sure that I would own each of the shirts that Villa had worn with Acorns as the shirt sponsor.

In 2009, I discovered the Aston Villa Lion's Club network.  At that time, there were no U.S.-based clubs in the west.  On a whim - I started AVFC California.  in the last 3 seasons, our membership has grown to 60+ (most based in either the Los Angeles area and San Francisco area).

It is amazing how in a short period of time, I have become a Villan.  I remember hearing people talk about  Villa being in their blood because of homeland, family, etc. tied to Birmingham.  I like to think that Villa is also in my blood.  The only difference is that it has taken me 50 years to discover it!

UTV        

Something New

I am the chairman of AVFC California, an official supporters group of Aston Villa Football Club (Birmingham, England).  I am adding this as an extension to our club website to share stories, sagas, adventures, turmoil, celebrations, etc. that I experience as a Lions Club chairman.

Aston Villa Football Club: http://www.avfc.co.uk
Aston Villa Lions Club Network: http://www.avfclionsclubs.co.uk
AVFC California: http://www.avfccalifornia.blogspot.com

In upcoming posts, I will share some of my story and answer the question, "Why Aston Villa?", and journal on a couple of upcoming Aston Villa-associated trips I will be making: (1) To Birmingham, England for the last game of the 11/12 season and for the 2012 Lions Club Chairman's Game and (2) To Portland, Oregon for the July 2012 summer friendly between Villa and the Portland Timbers (MLS).