By Liam Morgan
MIDLAND ALLIANCE side Boldmere St Michaels are to play host to a special charity match this weekend – which will feature former Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov.
The game has been organised by Tom Stevenson, who was forced to stop playing for Boldmere after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in October.
Stevenson will line-up alongside the Bulgarian as part of his Battlefield XI – named after his own charity – to take on a team which will include ex-Villains Gordon Cowans, Gary Shaw and Lee Hendrie.
Petrov is himself battling acute leukaemia and has often offered his advice to the 31-year old, who is grateful for his involvement.
“I was told that Stan’s keen to play if you want him involved and he’ll support you as much as he can throughout this,” Stevenson said.
“We put all things aside of him being a professional footballer and a legend at Villa.
“He’s gone down the same sort of path as I’ve been going down and I wanted to find out how he coped with it on a daily basis. It’s really helped and it’s amazing that he’s come on board.”
Stevenson, who also had spells with Tamworth and Solihull Borough during an impressive Non-League career, will lead his team from the dugout on Sunday, but he also has hopes of featuring in the game itself.
He said: “I did have one session with the lads a few months ago which was all right.
“My body isn’t the same as it was nine months ago, but I think I’m equipped to at least have a little run out to see what I can still do.
“Hopefully, I’m pencilled in for about 20 minutes depending on how I feel.”
Stevenson is using the match on Sunday to thank the fans for their support and so far his charity has raised £2,000.
