Chicago 2013

It has been a busy month as preparations are being made for the FIRST meet-up of North American Lions Club branches set for 17 August 2013 in Chicago USA.  Simon Leach, chairman of the Chicago Lions Club has taken up the lead in organizing this first of what we hope will turn into an annual event.  The focus of the weekend will be joining together at The Globe Pub in Chicago to watch Villa take on Arsenal at The Emirates.

On Friday 16 Aug a match has been scheduled between AV Lions Club vs The Globe Pub team.  We will also be running a fundraiser for Acorns in conjunction with the weekend activities.  It is only a few weeks away!  A couple of us California Lions will be making the trip out to Chicago to participate in the festivities.  Up The Villa!

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.

This is why I am a Villa supporter!

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