‘I needed to retire because of my illness and I took it really hard. So being able to come out again and play is another dream coming true,' Petrov tells Sportsmail

The 35-year-old plays for Wychall Wanderers in the Central Warwickshire Over 35s League after returning


On a pitch more ploughed field than Premier League, where the dugouts are made from rusting corrugated metal and toilet breaks are taken in the surrounding trees, one player catches the eye.

He shows a sureness of touch and quick-thinking to belie his physique. Soon into the game between Wychall Wanderers and Water Orton United, he delivers a reverse pass to send team-mate James Myatt clear for the opening goal. It draws applause from a dozen or so spectators, mainly family and friends.

Stiliyan Petrov, former Aston Villa captain and Bulgaria’s record cap holder, is back.

VIDEO Scroll down to see Aston Villa hero Stiliyan Petrov playing for Wychall Wanderers in the Central Warwickshire Over 35s League

Former Aston Villa captain and Bulgaria’s record cap holder Stiliyan Petrov, who has been battling leukemia, takes a corner in the trees

Petrov, still having gruelling chemotherapy for the leukaemia, playing for Sunday league side Wychall Wanderers on October 19

‘I needed to retire because of my illness and I took it really hard,' admits former Aston Villa captain Petrov, here having a half-time stretch

Petrov, known as Stan, takes a swig of an energy drink during the break in the game in the Central Warwickshire Over 35s League

STILIYAN PETROV FACT FILE Born: Bulgaria, July 5 1979 (age 35) 1996-1999: CSKA Sofia (43 lg apps, 6 gls) 1999-2006: Celtic (228, 55) 2006-2013: Aston Villa (186, 9) 1998-2012: Bulgaria (106, 8) Advertisement

Perhaps not quite back where he belongs; this remains a far cry from the stadiums he graced while becoming a cult hero for Villa and Celtic. But to see a man still undergoing gruelling chemotherapy for the leukaemia that forced him to retire professionally 18 months ago once again enjoying his football is to know the essence of fighting spirit.

‘I’m like a little boy,’ Petrov says as we talk outside Wychall’s modest clubhouse following what turned out to be a resounding 5-1 victory. He did not score but had a hand in most of the goals.

‘I needed to retire because of my illness and I took it really hard. So being able to come out again and play is another dream coming true. Football is the only thing I’ve done all my life, the only thing I wanted to do when I was growing up. I worked very hard and sacrificed a lot.

‘Battling for your life is different, you either make it or you don’t. It’s been nearly three years going through hard treatment and some really dark places with my family. So playing again, even at this level, I still enjoy it, I still smile. I can do what I love to do.’

Petrov, known affectionately as Stan, will get on to discussing with candidness the moment in March 2012 he was diagnosed with a cancer that kills almost 5,000 people every year, and how he cried when he was told his career must come to an end.

But first, as his team-mates — whom Petrov calls ‘the boys’ — drink post-match pints and natter boisterously in the background, there is opportunity for levity. This is Sunday league football, the Central Warwickshire Over 35s League, and pointed humour is just as important as collecting points.

Petrov's Sunday league team-mates - ‘the boys’ to the former Aston Villa captain - drink post-match pints and chat after their games

Former Aston Villa captain Petrov (third right, front row) with his Wychall Wanderers FC team-mates after their game on October 19

Taking the mick is obligatory, and Petrov is not spared. Take this story shared on the touchlines as the match developed. ‘Last Saturday evening I got a phone call from Stan,’ recalls player Chris Hawker, who is standing out this game. ‘He doesn’t say hello, just: “Where are you?” — Fergie style. “In the chippy,” I say. “Chips the night before a match?” he shouts. “No, no, no. Come to my house tomorrow morning for egg on rye bread.”’

I need to get that extra mile in and every week I'm getting stronger

There are rotund right-backs and substitutes sparking up but Petrov is taking the competition seriously. His influence is showing. Wychall have won their last five matches. He does not control the game as you might expect, mainly due to his fitness. His ability stands out a mile when in possession — a couple of nutmegs, a few turns on a six-pence, and intuitive passing. But there is also a moment when he is dispossessed by a balding centre-back in his forties going by the name Baz.

In defence for Wychall is the figure of Dave Busst, whose own top-flight career was curtailed when suffering an horrific ankle break playing for Coventry at Manchester United in 1996. You do have to feel for opponents when Wychall can call on two players with Premier League experience.

Substitutes are roll on, roll off but everyone knows better than to beckon the man with 13 major trophies and 106 caps to the side. ‘He’ll throw his toys out of the pram if we do,’ says player-manager Tim Hufton.

Petrov laughs: ‘I won’t tell a lie, I’ve told them: “Don’t take me off.” I need to get that extra mile in and every week I’m getting stronger.’

Petrov, known affectionately as Stan, lines up a pass as his opponents close him down

Former Aston Villa midfielder and captain Petrov is closely marked by an opponent - they obviously had him down as the danger man

Petrov finds himself on the deck during the phsyical Sunday league game before the former Aston Villa captain talked to Sportsmail

HOW 'STAN' RETURNED TO THE PITCH DURING HIS RECOVERY In early October, Sportsmail reported how Stiliyan Petrov returned to football. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY Advertisement

Hufton organises a small-sided game each Thursday and through their mutual friendship with Gareth Barry, Petrov got involved earlier this year. He stepped up to Wychall’s full-sized pitch last month, having reached the age of 35 in July.

‘When I started on Thursday nights, allowed to play by the doctors, it was half a pitch and I’m good there because it’s just technical,’ Petrov says. ‘But coming here is adding another 50 yards to your game. Players expected me to be at another level.

‘My touch is still there and every week I’m getting fitter and can start making the difference. Some people say, “Why don’t you score?” I say, “I’m here to enjoy and make sure the boys enjoy.” I try to play them in.’

Petrov admits to occasionally getting frustrated that his body cannot match his brain — ‘I get shouts, “Stan, get back!” And I go, “No”’ — and also that his team-mates are not Henrik Larsson or John Carew. ‘Sometimes when you play a ball it needs to be perfect so they don’t take a touch, just finish.’

Petrov’s last Villa match came on March 24, 2012 in the 3-0 defeat by Arsenal. This is a world away from the Emirates’ pristine surface. ‘When I was growing up I played in the mud, we had to wash our own strip, we had one ball,’ says Petrov. ‘So this is nothing new. It’s like being young again.’

That desire to kick a ball burns deep, no matter the facilities or niggles. During this game Petrov actually played with a broken wrist. ‘I aggravated an old injury,’ he says. ‘Luckily I don’t need a cast. The pain has been manageable.’

He remembers his over-35s debut. ‘I still had the same enjoyment because I was putting my boots on. There was everything around the team, the build-up, having coffee with the boys. That buzz is back.’

Former Premier League footballer Petrov signs a shirt for an Aston Villa fan

Petrov gives it the thumbs up during the match (left) and the Wychall Wanderers programme

Former Aston Villa midfielder and captain Petrov, who has been battling leukemia, prepares to take a corner in the leaves on Sunday

The buzz had been drained from his body during the early stages of the intensive chemotherapy that morphed his athletic frame but saved his life. Remarkably, his cancer, acute leukaemia, was detected because of heart tests conducted due to Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest little more than a week earlier.

When they told me I had to retire I burst into tears

Initially he believed he might play again once the treatment had been completed. ‘They were saying, let’s wait and see,’ he recalls. ‘When they eventually told me I had to retire I burst into tears. Everybody left the room.’

As the gravity of what had gripped him took hold, fears of his own mortality crept into his mind. ‘I was nervous, anxious,’ he says. ‘But I calmed down and became patient.’

The most traumatising experience came in late 2012 when he spent seven weeks in the same hospital room and was only allowed to see his two young sons through a glass window. ‘I had a little cold so they couldn’t come in,’ he says. ‘My immune system was wiped out. When you do chemo that’s what happens. I started to have a lot of side effects, the steroids were messing me up badly. There are some days I don’t even remember, it knocks you down so much.’

Petrov, who has been battling with leukemia, has spoken exclusively to Sportsmail after playing on Sunday for Wychall Wanderers

His wife Paulina was his rock, staying with him every day and eating the same sanitised hospital food. ‘She wanted to be a part of what I went through. She is a strong woman.’

He eventually got out but spent another fortnight in hospital in the run-up to Christmas. ‘The doctors said I had to go up and down the corridor for them to let me go. It took me about 43 minutes to walk 40 metres.

‘When I got home my parents were there. They hadn’t seen me since I had been in hospital. They were stunned. Steroids give you a moon face. That Christmas I was so tired, I could only come out for about 10 minutes, and then I had to go back to bed. So I really enjoy Christmases now.’

Gradually, Petrov walked further and began to regain something of his old self. His treatment has been scaled back and in February he will have his last round of chemotherapy. His steroid dosage is being lowered too.

‘It’s going well,’ he says. Once he is free of the drugs, he wants to get trim. At his peak he would weigh 12st 12lb but he is currently 15st 6lb. He has not ruled out aiming for a coaching role and watches every Villa match.

Right now, he is happy paying his £3 match fee and working for his foundation. ‘We’re planning two big events next year,’ he says. ‘I went through something I don’t want anybody to have to. We need to find that cure. Cancer is something that turns your life upside down.’

Sunday morning kick-abouts are beginning to swing Petrov’s world the right way up.

Petrov has a smile and just looks glad to be back playing football, despite the standard being a bit lower than he was used to

Former Aston Villa midfielder Petrov chats to Sportsmail reporter Laurie Whitwell on October 19