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Stiliyan Petrov got the ball, beat his man and clipped a perfect pass to the back post for the striker to complete his hat-trick.

But no tannoy blared out, there were no big-screen replays, nor did the crowd explode in ecstasy – instead, about 20 people politely clapped.

The scene was a world away from the Premier League and international stages which Petrov graced previously.

It was, in fact, the Central Warwickshire Over-35s League with Wychall Wanderers on Sunday morning after a 10.30am kick off in sleepy, rural outreaches of Birmingham.

And, rather than being paid £55,000-a-week to appear, Petrov was actually paying a £3 matchday sub for the privilege.

But Petrov is enjoying his football more than ever - and who can blame him?

This is a man who by his own admission has been to “hell” and back since his shock diagnosis with acute Leukaemia in March 2012 when he was Aston Villa’s club captain.

(Image: SWNS)

Now though with the disease thankfully in remission and Petrov due to end his chemotherapy tablet treatment next year, the former midfielder is back on the pitch.

It is not a pristine top-flight surface but a bumpy, muddy, slippery 100-yard long pitch surrounded by a rudimentary fence and hedge with stinging nettles.

Yet Petrov is playing with a smile broader than ever before as he helped his new team Wanderers to a 3-0 win against Folly Lane Strollers on just his fifth appearance.

After his latest 90-minute run-out, as his team-mates relaxed with a pint outside the ramshackle clubhouse, he told MirrorSport his pleasure at getting back on the pitch.

The 35-year-old said: “What I went through was hell and very tough. My biggest achievement is just to be alive. But I am still here and can kick a ball around.

(Image: SWNS)

“I always thought if I have even just a little chance to play five-a-side or something I would still play.

“Being a Premier League player coming to this, overweight and with no speed, you just enjoy the game. It is Sunday League football, that is where football starts.

“Coming on Sunday with a smile looking forward to it is something I don’t want to let go of. The facilities don’t bother me, I grew up in a rough environment in Bulgaria and this is like back to my youth years.”

The former Bulgarian international, playing a free role off the striker, set-up two goals in Mark Bellingham’s hat-trick in the WH Richards Cup, where Petrov’s vision and touch stood out.

He played unselfishly throughout as he always sought to pass quickly to set-up chances for team-mates, who are loving their new star signing.

When the referee awarded a penalty for an apparent foul on Petrov, he even discreetly told the official the defender got the ball enabling the decision to sportingly be reversed.

The moment underlined Petrov is no longer playing for points or prizes but pure enjoyment since his enforced retirement in May 2013.

(Image: Getty)

No-one and nothing is going to stop him getting his weekly football fix after even buying a new kit for his latest side.

The previous week, Petrov – who cost the Villans £6.5million in 2006 from Celtic - even drove up from London specially to play.

This week, he was relieved the game wasn’t cancelled as three players were unavailable because of the stag party of manager David Buust’s brother in Leeds.

But Petrov admits he is finding the level harder than anything he has played before.

He explained: “The players don’t have the ability of professionals and you need to give them the perfect ball.

“It is actually harder, but the boys are trying so hard you can’t fault them for making a wrong pass or the wrong decision. You expect that and you get on with it. But when you give them a smile they appreciate it even more.

“Mark scored three goals and was brilliant. He said it was easy because the ball came. I want my team-mates to enjoy the game.”

Petrov’s return to football, albeit at the roots, has even sparked questions of a professional or semi-pro comeback.

(Image: SWNS)

There are no plans for that, as more than two years of chemotherapy and anti-inflammatory steroids mean Petrov has put on weight. But he is getting fitter by the week as he also plays five-a-side and has a fitness trainer.

The dad-of-two said: “My little one sees me now and I have lost a bit of weight and he says: ‘when are you going to go back to Villa?’. I say my time is over. I am going to stick with these boys and I am loyal.

“Being on those steroids it makes it difficult to lose the weight which frustrates me but on the other side I am just happy the treatment is working.

“When I was on the intensive treatment I couldn’t get out of bed. Just to talk to my kids took me so much energy it was exhausting.”

With that perspective, little wonder Petrov walked off the pitch smiling after the victory but he rightly always feels a winner now as doctors believe he has beaten Leukaemia.

My goal now is to help cure leukaemia

Stiliyan Petrov says his main objective in life now is to help find a cure for leukaemia, writes James Nursey.

The former Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder is close to finishing his successful treatment for the disease. And he intends to step-up fund-raising for his foundation with several high-profile events already being planned for next year.

Petrov is working closely with Birmingham-based charity Cure Leukaemia and is backing the revolutionary development of new drugs and cell treatment.

The 35-year-old, who retired from football last year after being diagnosed in March 2012, said: “The main thing is to find a cure. That is now my goal in life. I am supporting a Birmingham trial and a London trial.

“I went through hell and I managed to get through it but a lot of people don’t and struggle with it. This is a disease people are trying to find a cure for and I hope someone succeeds and I want to be a part of it. Everybody is pushing for it.”

Petrov recently started playing football for fun again with amateur side Wychall Wanderers in the Central Warwickshire Over 35s League.

He is due to complete his final cycle of chemotherapy tablets next year as doctors believe he has beaten the disease.

Petrov added: “I can’t wait for the treatment to finish. Doctors say my body will get back to normal.”

* For more information on Petrov’s fund-raising and to donate visit www.thestiliyanpetrovfoundation.com .