A charity football match featuring Premier League players and Aston Villa legends has been preserved on film by video production company Stone’s Throw Media.
The contest, created by former Villa ace Stiliyan Petrov, was set up to raise awareness of his Foundation, which aims to help leukaemia sufferers and their families. Local video production company Stone’s Throw Media were asked by the event’s organisers to record the match, thanks to their previous work with Aston Villa FC and the club’s supporter’s organisations.
Speaking about the match, which was held at Boldmere St Michael’s pitch in Church Lane, Sutton Coldfield, event organiser Stephen Rigby said: “We had well over 1300 people there and we managed to raise £8400, which is absolutely fantastic. We’re planning for this to be an annual event for the Foundation and for it to grow in size year on year.
Matt Weston, co-founder of Stone’s Throw Media, said: “Having collaborated with Aston Villa when Stan was captain, and having captured an emotional minute’s applause when he was diagnosed with leukaemia, it was really fantastic for us to chart this new chapter in Stiliyan’s life. One of our videos was also shown on Sky Sports during a feature on the match, which we were thrilled with.”
The match was contested between a select Petrov XI, which included ex-England star Paul Merson, and an Aston Villa Lions and Legends side boasting famed former players such as Gordon Cowans and Tony Morley.
Stiliyan Petrov was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012 but is now in remission. As a result of his illness, he was forced to give up the game in May 2013.
The highlights of the match can be viewed on Stone’s Throw Media’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDvwSkJBusE