San Diego Meet-Up

The opening weekend of the 2015-16 Premier League season kicked off with the 2015 North America Meet-up in sunny San Diego California.  We had people representing 10 U.S. states, ENG, and IRE!  It was a fantastic weekend hosted by Simon Tissington and the San Diego Lions.  

Friday 7 Aug:  this was arrival day for many and we gathered at the Shakespeare Pub for a rousing night of drinking and singing to get us warmed up for the Sat morning match vs Bournemouth.

Saturday 8 August:  6am bright and early!   Great win, awesome company, and amazing singing at the Bluefoot Bar in San Diego!  We also raised over $3,300 for Acorns Children's Hospice!

Footy SF

Footy SF maintains a webpage that connects people of a variety of football supporter groups in the Bay Area.  AVFC California is happy to be included on this list.

New AVFC California logo

Staying Up and FA Cup Semi Final

Another roller coaster year for our club - but "Villa til I die" is the cry for all Villa supporters.  Tim Sherwood has infused a bit more enthusiasm into the squad and I am hoping that it will be just enough to keep us in the prem (again).

FA Cup semi's are coming up on April 18th - it's been life-giving to have this cup run happening during such a dismal season.  Hope to see some of you out at the Mad Dog for this one.

Happy Christmas from the Mad Dog in the Fog!

Happy 140th!

North America Lions Club members collaborated and put together in the last 24-hours a video to wish Aston Villa Football Club a Happy 140th birthday and many more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXdcGHuMgdg

California Lions Club Caps to Support Acorns

A California Lions Club cap was produced for the Texas tour and were sold to support Acorns Children's Hospice, Aston Villa's charity partner.  A limited supply of these special caps are still available.  

If you are interested in purchasing a cap, email avfc.california (at) gmail.com.  The caps are $20 USD each + shipping costs.  All net proceeds go to Acorns.  In your email, please specify quantity and shipping address.  All payments should be made via PayPal.  Caps will ship as soon as payment is received.  UP THE VILLA!

Happy "Claret and Blue" Christmas!

The First Point of the Season!

Villa played a much better game yesterday to draw with Newcastle 1-1.  Overall - the passing game, possession, defensive aggressiveness, and attack is night an day compared to last year (and the last 2 weeks).  Hoping for much more of this in the coming weeks.  Guzan looked good in goal and nice connection between Bannan and Clark for the lone Villa goal.  Stephen Ireland is playing well as the central playmaker.

Portland Invasion Complete

What an amazing journey!  AVFC California members invaded Portland, OR and supported the boys in claret and blue well before the match, during the match, and late into the night after the match.  Our charity raffle for Acorns was an amazing success raising $1,055.  It was great seeing and meeting so many people, especially other AVFC California members.

Open training was on 23 July 2012, the night before the match.  We all enjoyed it and especially had a great time meeting players and participating in Ian Taylor's Q &A.









Acorn's Raffle:  Our raffle for Acorns was successful.  Aston Villa, Portland Timbers, and AVFC California members donated the raffle prizes ranging from Lions Club necktie to a 2012-13 team-signed Villa shirt!

Pre-Match/Match  

Villa supporters started at Kelly's Olympian and then The Bitter End later in the afternoon where we joined the Timbers Army.  We filled Section 223 - the away supporters section at Jeld Wen Field.

Signed Villa Shirt to Support Acorns

AVFC California will be auctioning off a signed 2012-2012 Villa shirt with all proceeds going to support Acorns Children's Hospice in conjunction with our trip to Portland for Villa's pre-season friendly with the Portland Timbers.  More information to come.

"NEW" AVFC California flag

I heard about Barmy Flags from other Lions Club chairmen and then saw some of the many flags that Charlie has produced for clubs throughout England and beyond.   Although we already had a flag, it was not of the highest quality and the colors were just not "right".

Barmy Flags uses a heavy duty polyester as the base flag and all decorations are stitched on (rather than just printed like our older flag).  I ordered it before going to Birmingham and Charlie had the flag delivered to my hotel.  It was beautiful and the service was first-rate.  The old flag is still serviceable and will continue to be used by the club.  I'll bring them both to Portland.

THANKS CHARLIE AND BARMY FLAGS!

Old flag (2009)

New flag (2012)

New flag (2012)

Hot off the Press!

Just received our first Acorns/AVFC California t-shirts and they turned out great! (modeled by Hope)

You can order your own and other items at AVFC California's store: http://www.cafepress.com/avfccalifornia

100% of the net proceeds are being donated directly to Acorns Children's Hospice, the official charity partner of Aston VIlla Football Club.

Acorns-AVFC California Products

AVFC California is selliing t-shirts, mugs, and drink glasses with all net proceeds being donated to Acorn's Children's Hospice - the Official Charity Partner of Aston Villa Football Club.

Support Acorns by purchasing AVFC California supporter club products!

1 Point Draw with Stoke

California Lions @ The Mad Dog in the Fog (San Francisco) for the Stoke game.
(l-r  Jay, Rick, Simon, Lee,  Howard, and lil' Jamil)

It wasn't a very good game for the Villa today...good thing it was also not a good game for Stoke City (except for that called non-goal that I do not want to see any more replays).  A point is a point.  (nil-nil draw)

Honorary Member

Today, AVFC California received a note from our honorary life-member, Mr. Tom Hanks.   UTV!

AVFC California Presence @ Lions Club Lounge Opening

Our very own Adam Shah is interviewed on AVTV during the opening of the brand-new Lions Club Lounge at Villa Park!  Way to go Adam!  Another one of the great benefits about being part of the Lions Club Network for which AVFC California belongs!

(I used my little digital camera to post the video - sorry about the quality)

AVFC California Viewing - Sat. 30 April 2011 vs. West Brom

AVFC California members will be meeting up for another U.S. televised match on Saturday 30 April 2011 for a clash against West Brom (Fox Soccer Channel).  Kick-off scheduled for 7:00 a.m.

Kezar Pub (San Francisco): http://www.thekezarpub.com/

The Olde Ship (Santa Ana): http://www.theoldeship.com/santa_ana.html

AVFC California @ West Ham Match!

AVFC California member Sergio S. was able to attend the most recent Villa match v sWest Ham Utd and sent these photos in.  Thanks Sergio!

Hope For Villa

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

AVFC California gets another mention in the Aston Villa News & Record (game programme) on 11 December vs. West Brom.