Texas Tour is Right Around the Corner!

Can't believe it is already June… which means the pre-season Texas tour is right around the corner.  I can already tell that a massive Villa following will be showing up in Dallas (really Frisco) and Houston in July.  A lot of things still to do - but things are starting to come together.

1) Texas T-shirts:  Working with the great Kurt Maciej, chairman of the Austin Lions, on getting some great t-shirts printed up to sell with net proceeds going to Acorns

2) I'm trying to put together some CA Lions Club caps.., also to support Acorns (hoping I can pull it off).  Its tough to do some of this stuff when you have to have some upfront $ to work with for production.

3) Acorns raffles are being planned for both Dallas and Houston.  Hoping to still get more raffle prizes. The more we have in terms of great prizes, it will encourage more people to by more tickets.

4) Supporters games are being planned for both locations.

5) Pub headquarters have been selected and organized:

In Dallas (Frisco) - The Londoner  http://www.londonerfrisco.com

In Houston - Lucky's   http://luckyspub.com/downtown/

Put in a great group order for Houston tickets - had people from San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Toronto,  St. Louis, Florida, and the UK!

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)

Lone Star

It was really exciting to hear about Villa's announcement of a return to the U.S. for a couple of pre-season friendlies in July 2014 against FC Dallas (23 Jul) and Houston Dynamo (26 Jul).

Within hours of the annoucement, there has been all kinds of chatter amongst chairmen and members of the North America-based Lions Club branches.  Plans are underway to organize a foray of North America Lions to the Lone Star State for these 2 matches.

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N. America Invasion of B6  May 2014

A good size group from North America is also traveling to Villa Park in May for the last home match of this season (Hull City) and 2 away fixtures (Man City, Tottenham) + Lions Club Awards Night, UK vs Overseas Chairmen's game.

Match Programme vs Che$ea

Match Programme - Man City

California Lions Club Kit

Toying with the idea of creating a kit for the California Lions Club.  Came up with a crest that I like.

I didn't realize how difficult it is to locate a teamwear company that does a "claret & blue" kit.  This is especially difficult to find in the U.S.  Some thoughts that have bounced around in my head.

Al Saunders - Oakland Raiders

Recently I was informed that Al Saunders, current offensive coach for the NFL's Oakland Raiders, is the great-nephew of legendary Villa manager Ron Saunders.  I just sent a note to Coach Saunders inviting him to be an honorary member of the California Lions Club.  It is amazing how Villa connections pop up everywhere!

Villa legend - Ron Saunders

Al Saunders