Welcome to the Aston Villa Former Players Supporter’s Club – a unique ‘members’ club that is organised and managed by the Aston Villa Former Players Association and specifically designed to provide regular contact and information between the supporters and the former players of our great football club.

Aston Villa Former Players Association

The former player is one of the most important parts of a football clubs’ history. He is the protagonist of memorable victories, dramatic defeats and fond anecdotes that evoke passion for a football team that is passed on from generation to generation and settles in the collective memory of communities shaping identities and principles that help integrate football fans throughout the world.

Many of you will already know about the excellent work carried out in the wider community by the Aston Villa former players in support of charities and worthy causes, through the Aston Villa Old Stars football team and via other sporting and social events.

However, many remain unaware of exactly what the Aston Villa FPA is actually involved with, so here is a ‘bullet-point’ summary.

History of Aston Villa FPA

• Aston Villa FPA was formed in January 1997, on the back of the Aston Villa Old Stars football team that was established in 1960 and is now playing its 49th consecutive year of fundraising fixtures
• Aston Villa FPA is governed by Constitution and its core purpose in the health and welfare of former Aston Villa players
• ‘Best-practice’ business standards and disciplines have always been applied in the management of the Association, which is carried out by former players and others with specific skills
• Since its formation Aston Villa FPA has been able to improve the quality of life for many former players and has also raised over £3½ million for charities and other worthy causes
• The Association also provides frequent local, regional, national and even international opportunities for its members to participate in sporting, social and commercial activities
• The Association is highly respected throughout the UK and now, as members of the European Federation of Former Players Associations (“EFPA”), in Europe also

Current services delivered by Aston Villa FPA

Health & Welfare

• Comprehensive Insurance cover for all former players engaged in Aston Villa FPA sporting activities, including loss of earnings payment, etc
• Access to funding for all former players requiring medical treatment and/or surgical operations
• Access to funding for former players suffering severe financial hardship
• Direct links with ‘Second Chance Clinic’ for professional support and treatment to those former players experiencing addiction
• The set up of Trust Funds where applicable for the benefit of former players who have been diagnosed with terminal illness, and the long-term benefit to their dependants
• The provision of respite for wives/family of former players requiring 24/7 home care
• DSS benefits and claims procedures
• Disability benefits directly linked to previous football injuries
• Possible industrial injury claims
• Coordination of the ‘Fit for Life’ health programme for former players specifically requested by Aston Villa FPA in collaboration with Dr. Dorian Dugmore (PhD. Cardiovascular Medicine) at Wellness International
• Coordination of research groups for the escalating number of former players suffering premature Alzheimer’s/dementia
• Introduction to mentoring, re-training and alternative career opportunities for former players of whatever age
• Liaison with Lorna McClelland regarding the Aston Villa FPA Health & Welfare support services for players leaving Aston Villa FC

Charitable Activities

• Aston Villa Old Stars football matches (25 between March and November)
• Golf events (3 golf days & dinner)
• Cricket matches (as requested each year)
• Greyhound nights (3 ‘legends’ nights)
• Other (Football Aid, Governor’s Day, Comic Relief, Children In Need, Q&A forums, Quiz Nights, guest appearances at charity dinners, boxing nights, drawing raffles, making presentations and other community functions)

Commercial Activities

• Sponsorship of Aston Villa FPA and Aston Villa Old Stars team
• Events Sponsorship & Fees
• Aston Villa FPA membership subscription scheme
• Business partnerships (21 companies currently ‘on board’) - Aston Villa FPA endorsed companies offering exclusive services to members, e.g. ‘Aston Villa FPA Travel Club’, with dedicated telephone number and travel website

Website

• The redeveloped Aston Villa FPA website can be found at www.astonvillafpa.org

Support to Aston Villa Football Club

• Former players attendance on matchdays for meet & greet, interviews, presentations to ‘enhance supporter’s & sponsors matchday experience’
• Former players attendance at all Club Events and selected promotions
• Former players ‘personal appearance’ support to club sponsors / clients

Planned expansion of services

• Income generation for former players and Aston Villa FPA via joint ventures with Aston Villa Football Club
• Support to Aston Villa FC’s Community department initiatives & Acorns Hospice programme
• A full-colour FPA Magazine is to be published and circulated to members, business partners and others
• Appointment of a PR company to circulate the large number of ‘good news’ stories emanating from the activities of Aston Villa FPA
• Launch of Aston Villa Former Players ‘Supporter’s Club’

Aston Villa Former Players ‘Supporter’s Club’

Purpose

The Aston Villa Former Players Association now wishes to develop closer links with Aston Villa supporters clubs and supporters across the world whilst simultaneously providing a tailor-made range of benefits and much greater access to former players for all those that join the club.

Benefits

• Membership card with your name and personal membership number
• Entry into a quarterly draw for 2 complimentary match tickets at a FA Premier League match at Villa Park
• Entry into a half-yearly draw for one person to ‘fulfil a dream’ and play for 45 minutes in the Aston Villa Old Stars football team alongside their heroes (transferable - the person who plays must be male aged 18 or over)
• Dedicated Aston Villa Former Players Supporter’s ‘Travel Club’ providing a comprehensive travel service including worldwide holidays, UK breaks, show & concert tickets and weekly special offers
• Direct access to all the Aston Villa Former Players Association ‘business partners’ and to the terms negotiated for former players
• A bespoke ‘Supporters Club’ location on the new Aston Villa Former Players Association website
• A former Aston Villa star will be available each month ‘live & on-line’ only to supporters club members to directly answer your questions*
• Your name on your own seat in the ‘virtual Villa Park stadium’ on the Aston Villa Former Players Association website with an interactive chat-room area**

Plus
• The arrangement of former players to visit official supporter’s clubs in the UK and overseas, for Q&A Forums, special events, or simply meet and greet functions (players expenses may have to be covered by the host supporter’s club)

Plus
• Special discounts and priority booking facilities on entry to all Aston Villa FPA events, including dinners, golf days, ‘legends’ greyhound nights, Q&A forums, quiz nights, and more

Plus
• An annual Supporter’s Club v Aston Villa Old Stars football match – hopefully on Villa Park!

Plus
• An annual Supporter’s Club evening event/gathering at Villa Park

Membership subscription

Annual membership - £10
(For those having valid membership of an ‘official’ Aston Villa FC Supporter’s Club)

Annual membership - £15
(For those NOT having valid membership of an ‘official’ Aston Villa FC Supporter’s Club)

Yes, less than £1 per month for those having a valid membership of an ‘official’ Aston Villa FC Supporter’s Club.

Our aim is to bring the players and supporters closer together – not to exploit the supporters.

We now invite applications for membership of this unique Supporter’s Club, which is the first of its kind to be set up in the UK.

ANOTHER FIRST FOR ASTON VILLA – JOIN US TODAY!

To join this unique and exclusive club, please complete and return the enclosed application form.

Upon receipt, we will send you your personal membership card and full details about your benefits of membership and information on forthcoming Supporter’s Club events.

Contact:
Mr. Karl Court
General Secretary
Aston Villa Former Players Supporter’s Club
Villa Park
Birmingham
B6 6HE
T: +44 (0) 121 628 3274
M: +44 (0) 7884 330094
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NB. Registered members can download the application form from the Supporters Club forum thread.