End of Season Trip to Brum and Upcoming Texas Tour

Enjoyed a May trip to Birmingham to converge with other Lions Club chairmen at Villa Park for the Hull City match, Chairmen's match, and an away fixture at Man City.  Great time was had by all and many North America chairmen made the trip this year.

Next is prepping for the upcoming pre-season tour stops in Dallas and Houston (July 2014).  Glad that the Villa is returning to the States, but Texas....in July?  It will be scortching!  Will see many Lions Club comrades from the States, Canada, and the UK - should be a great time. (23 July vs. FC Dallas and 26 July vs. Houston Dynamo)

More from Chicago

I wanted to share this photo of the three Lions Club chairmen that were in Chicago for the first North American Lions Club meet-up.

(from l-r  Rick Leong, (California Lions Club), Simon Leach (Chicago Lions Club), Chris Fetters (Seattle Lions Club)

Time to start thinking about next year!  UTV

Birmingham for the Holidays

It's been great helping some California Lions who will be traveling to Birmingham for the holidays sort out tickets for December, January, and February home matches.   Probably one of the most satisfying duties of a Lions Club Chairman. Also, will be getting the AVFC California flag to one of the traveling members so he can fly the California Lions colors at Villa Park.

Well, the time has come!

California Lions are preparing for travel with some already in transit to Portland.  Meet-ups are set.  Open training.  Acorns raffle.  At this point, its time to just let everything roll out on its own.  It should be a great time.  I'm really hoping that the Acorns raffle generates a lot of interest and money for Acorns.  Villa's connection with Acorns is what drew me to Villa in the first place and now we have a California Lions branch with close to 80 members on our roster.

Working on Portland

Still busy working on activities related to the Portland trip.  We are fortunate in being able to confirm that Ian Taylor will join us for our AVFC California gathering on match day.  I haven't had the opportunity to meet Ian in person yet, but from what I can tell from video and podcasts, he seems like a great guy and loves to be in contact with the fans.

We are hoping to also schedule an opportunity for members to attend an open practice, but Villa is still working on this with the Timbers.

Also still working hard to get the word out on our store to support Acorns Children's Hospice! http://www.cafepress.com/avfccalifornia     We have raised some money already, but want to raise so much more.

What does the desk of a Lions Club chairman look like?

The desk where I currently spend a huge percentage of my time these days (unfortunately) has a good part of it dedicated to the Villa.  It helps me get through those tough days... UTV!

A Pint with our Leader

Having a pint at the Brasshouse with our Lions Club leader - Alan Perrins!  (4 May; Friday before the match against Tottenham)

First Trip to Birmingham and Villa Park

I've returned home following my first trip to Birmingham and Villa Park.  All I can say is that it was an amazing trip.

Touring Villa Park and seeing just how much that facility has to offer was great.  Viewing the many hospitality areas (classy), the corporate suites, changing rooms, media areas, and walking pitch side.  What I enjoyed the most was seeing the Acorns Suite and history provided by our tour guide Pete.  After the tour, Pete was gracious enough to help me take some photos of our AVFC California flag in different spots around the pitch.

In front of the North Stand

In the lower section of the North Stand

With the Holte End in the background

Of course the highlight of the trip was on Sunday, 6 May, when I attended the Villa-Spurs game and then later played in the Chairmen's game.   The whole thing was surreal.  I was able to join other Lions Club members in the Lions Club Lounge prior to the game and then sat in the Doug Ellis stand for the game.  Hearing the singing coming from the Holte End gave me goose bumps.   The result was a 1-1 draw, but it was the point that secured our Premiership safety.

Lions Club interior

Lins Club exterior entrance

Villa Park at halftime

With Bob Clayton, Alicante Lions Club chairman

After signing the "Support Stan" wall

About a week prior to leaving for Birmingham, I was experiencing some slight pain in my left achilles, but it didn't seem serious and I was hoping that it would be ok.  Well, as I walked alot during the first few days, it didn't get any better...an even started to become more uncomfortable.  By Sunday, it was getting pretty painful, but there was no way I was going to back out of playing in the chairmen's game. I got on the pitch and was limping pretty badly, but being able to play on the Villa Park pitch was my focus.  The at one point I went up to compete for a ball in the air and then came down on my left foot and I felt something "give way".  After that - I knew I was in trouble and had to come off.  Today is my first business day back home and I need to get an appt to see my doctor.  My lower leg remains swollen, stiff, and a bit bruised.  I hope that I didn't do too much damage.  Was it worth it though?  ABSOLUTELY.

Thanks Alan Perrins

One of our California Lions Club members has some friends that I will have a chance to meet up with prior to the Villa-Spurs game.  They are members of the Knowle & Dorridge Lions.

I also look forward to meeting Alan Perrins, our Lions Club liaison.  Alan has really been front and center  in being the advocate for the Lions Club Network within Aston Villa.  The annual awards event appears spectacular (I have not been able to attend this event yet), the chairmen's game on the Villa Park pitch is a great gift, and the establishment of the Lions Club Suite at Villa Park (formally the David Taggart Suite) are just a few of the amazing benefits for Lions Clubs to enjoy.  Thank you Alan for all that you do!