Vilaquilambre is one of the five cities that participate in the pilot project of the Consejo Superior de Deportes Juan María Zorriqueta, Fernando Giner, Luis Cembranos, Nikola Jerkan, Juan Ángel Cabrera Peláez “Quini”, all of them members of FEAFV, were the stars of the round table of organises by this city. Former football players have more difficulties than the rest of professionals in breaching the gap between their professional career and the retirement. This fact makes them more ¨aware that it is very important to maintain physic and mental activity¨, says former Valencia CF player Francisco Giner. FEAFV´s chairman, Juan Mari Zorriqueta added that ¨people tend to think that, once retired, sports people, are better prepared than the rest to maintain a proper physical activity level, but it is just the opposite since we have to bear with plenty of injuries from our professional career¨. This point was also confirmed by Nikola Jerkan who claimed ¨to be suffering from arthritis, but I never stopped swimming, biking,. Any sport is better than to stay still¨-Cembranos also claimed to have quit football after a long period of injuries ¨at certain point¨ he said ¨you end up hating sport but after a while you realize how important it is to keep moving heart and soul¨. Fernando Giner recalled his father example who, as he said ¨spend many years awaiting retirement to enjoy ¨doing nothing¨and from that moment he is just engaging in new activities every day, that is what it need sto be done: keep moving¨.
Marta Carranza Gilz-Dolz de Castellar, on behalf of the Consejo Superior de Deportes; the city major of Villaquilambre, Manuel García; the sports councillor, Carmen Pastor, and a great number of attendees also participated in a enjoyable debate. At the end of the session, all attendees received a book on how to lead a healthy life.
FEAFV- NorthenLeague
The representative of the former players associations of Athletic Club de Bilbao, Real Sociedad, CD Logroñés, CA Osasuna, Real Valladolid, Unión Deportiva Salamanca, Gimnástica de Torrelavega and Real Oviedo held a meeting in Bilbao to discuss various themes of their area. Besides, they established the calendar and rules of the 2nd edition of the Northen League11-a side football competition. 10 former players associations will take part in this tournament in 2 groups of 5 teams. The best of each group will face each other in the final. Read here more FEAFV´s news.
11 former players in the AFE´s Assessor´s Council
11 Spanish former players have been chosen to be part of the AFE´s assessor’s council. Ramon, Alfonseda, chairman of FC Barcelona former players and EFPA, Juan Mari Zorriqueta, chairman of FEAFV, Alfredo Di Stefano, Emilio Santamaria, Miguel Reina, Albert Tomás, Juan Señor, Francisco Giner, Manu Sarabia, Manuel Garrido and Vicente Engonga form this council that has as main task to participate in the AFE´s decisions in themes in the area of education, job search and social responsibility.
These former players, as well as Luis Rubiales, AFE´s chairman and Vicente ¨Tito¨Blanco, member of the AFE´s board, said to be very pleased with the this initiative and with the first meeting.
Sergi Barjuan, also a former player, was also present at this event. Sergi is the coach of the II edition of the AFE sessions for professioanl football players with no contract. These sessions are being held between 12th and 26th of January in the city of Alfàs del Pi (Alicante).
Best Christmas wishes
Social Christmas activities at Agrupació Barça Jugadors
Agrupació Barça Jugadors (former FC Barcelona players) joined the FC Barcelona Foundation in its campaign ¨a dream, a gift¨. This initiative, born from an idea of a group of former players, took FC Barcelona football and basketball former players to six educational centres for kids and teenagers in Barcelona. The young talents of the club also accompanied the legends in their visit and help them in handing in the presents to the 175 kids.
Following with their solidarity actions, Agrupació Barça Jugadors visited two Hestia elderly people centres. The visit started with a film projection of the great moments of club´s history and was followed by an animated talk remembering good old times and anecdotes. Before leaving, FC Barcelona former players delivered a signed book on FC Barcelona.
1st Enzo Bearzot award to A.S.D. Ex Calciatori Hellas Verona
The Italian Football Federation has granted the first Enzo Bearzot award, consisting of€ 25.000.- to the Hellas Verona former players´ association.
Former Italian goalkeeper and world champion Dino Zoff, and the journalists Alberto Cerruti and Gigi Garanzini formed the commission that chose the work of the Hellas Verona former players´ association as the winner of this award for ¨their work on helping Hellas former players facing difficult times¨.
According to Zoff, Cerruti and Garanzini, ¨The Hellas Verona former players association´s work is perfectly in line with the social and human sensibility of the unforgettable coach of the Italian national squad winner of the World Cup in 1982¨.
The Assocition of the Hellas Verona former player, in cooperation with the charity ¨l´albero delle mele¨ and the sponsorship of the Town Hall of Verona just launched the project ¨Scuola calcio piccolo giallo, piccolo blu¨. This football school project is open to all kids from 4 to 14 years old. Actually, the project encourages the participation of kids with handicaps or socio- psychological difficulties.
The main objective of the project is to create a healthy way of bringing together kids from different backgrounds (economic, social, etc) and to foster their human and physical growth. More specifically the project aims at improving the kids self-esteem, its relation with the body and at offering problem solving strategies, all this within the playful context of the game.
The kids are divided in 4 age groups in order to work according the developing emotional and physical needs of the kids.
The activities of ¨suola calcio piccolo giallo, piccolo blu¨ are held at the premises of ¨L´albero delle mele¨. The theoretical and practical lessons are given by the Hellas Verona former players in cooperation with teachers of ISEF and volunteers.
For more information on ¨Scuola calcio piccolo giallo, Piccolo Blue¨ contact Hellas Verona former players sending an e-mail at
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o an e-mail to l´albero delle melle at
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RIP Gary Speed (1969-2011)
EFPA joins our fellow colleagues of Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Wales in mourning for Gary Speed MBE.
Married to Louise and father of Tommy and Eddie, Gary was a great player who always gave his best for his team and colleagues. He achieved a very difficult thing in the football: to be respected by the opponent and the opposite supporters.
Furthermore, he is the very first player to have played the most number of games of the English Premier League since its creation in 1992.
Gary was the most capped outfield player for Wales for who he played 85 games scoring 7 goals. At club level he joined Leeds United in 1986 as a youth player and turned professional in 1988. With Leeds United he played 248 games and scored 39 times. In 1996 he joined Everton and captained them 65 games and scoring 18 goals. Two years later he joined Newcastle United, playing 213 and scoring 14 times. With Bolton Wanderers he played 121 games and scored 14 goals. His last club as player was Sheffield United for who he played 37 times, scoring 6 times.
During his football career he won the League 1991-1992 with Leeds United and was runner up of theLeague Cup (Everton and Newcastle), the F.A Cup final (Newcastle United), Intertoto runner up (Newcastle United) English 2nd Division Championship Winner (Leeds United).
As manager he joined Sheffield United in 2010, leaving to coach the Welsh National team 2010-2011.
Dublin to Blyth aid forScott Bell and Motor Neurone Disease
Scott Bell, a former player of Blyth Spartans FC has been diagnosed with MND (Motor Neurone Disease) at the age of 32 and has had to retire from the game as a result of this disease.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.
A group of Irish cyclists, Fergus Dowd, Michael Cody, Karl Byrne, Damian Lynskey(TBC) will begin a 329 mile bike ride starting from the home of Irish Football (Lansdowne Road) on the 2nd May 2012 and arriving in Blyth, Northumbria England on Saturday 5th May for a Charity Soccer match for Scott and his family. The journey will see the cyclists start in Dublin and onwards towards Belfast, visiting Windsor Park in Belfast where they will do a presentation. Their journey will then take them on a short ferry ride, where they will team up with a group of 16 cyclists in Scotland and make their way towards Glasgow visiting Celtic Park (Glasgow Celtic) and Ibrox Park (Rangers FC) before continuing on towards Edinburgh and onto the North East of England visiting the grounds of Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC finishing in Blyth in time for the benefit game for Scott.
The participants have already got fundraising underway, and have received generosities from a number of top UK and European Clubs, such as Manchester United Former Players Assoc Liverpool FC, FC Barcelona former players, Real Madrid CF, Celta De Vigo, RCD Español Former Players, Aston Villa former players Association, Everton former players foundation, Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United FC which will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going towards this worthwhile cause.
The World Player´s Union (FIFPro) invited EFPA to participate in its annual congress. This year the FIFPro congress was held in Tel Aviv between the 1st and the 3rd of November.
Around 150 people form 54 countries attended the congress which was very successful. The first day of the congress dealt with internal themes of the organisation while the last day counted with the presence of external guest speakers. On Wedneday 2nd of November the congress participants visited the Holy city of Jerusalem. During this day Theo van Seggelen and Tony Higgins handed in the FIFPro merit award 2011 to the Peres Center for Peace (Shimon Peres foundation) consisting on 25.000 USD.- This foundation sets, among its many project, special attention to bring together Palestinian and Israeli kids by means of the practice of sport.
Everton Former Players Foundation has joined forcer with the Everton Collection and the Everton in the Community to open a fan-centric attraction in partnership the city’s Metquarter called the ‘Everton Experience’.
The new project will see the three charities opening a unit space which will be filled with unique Everton souvenirs from the world’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia, information on how supporters can get involved with the Club and even the odd legend, all to allow supporters to gain the ultimate Blues experience this winter.
Everton fans will also have the opportunity to buy exclusive signed merchandise and branded items, with all profits being split between the three charities.
The new Everton Experience, which is due to officially open in Liverpool’s exclusive Metquarter on Friday, 18 November 2011 and remain open until January 2012, will host a number of themed events including legends evenings and festive treats for all members of the local community. The opening celebrations take place on 24th November with The Ultimate Boys Night in with more events to follow.
The Everton Experience will be supporting the Metquarter’s ‘Ultimate Boys Night In’ on Thursday, 24 November when an appearance from an Everton legend will be part of the entertainment. The event will be raising money for the Blues’ official charity, Everton in the Community and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Víctor Muñoz, FC Barcelona former player and member of the Agrupació Barça Jugadors, has been appointed new trainer at Neuchâtel Xamax. Thomas Christiansen, also FC Barcelona former player will be assistant coach. Victor Muñoz has previously trained several teams, among them: R.C.D. Mallorca, Real Zaragoza, Villarreal C.F. and Panathinaikos.
Joan Vilà, board member of Agrupació Barça Jugadors and regular EFPA´s co-operator, has joined the FC Barcelona´s technical staff. Vilà, who played for Barça during the 1970´s, has already worked for FC Barcelona in the past, whre he was coaching grassroot teams. However, in this occasion he will be the responsible for the creation and development of a new area: methodology for grassroots. Vilà has wide national and international experience in trainings processes at individual and club level.
Photo Victor Muñoz: Sportix
Dubai Indoor Tournament
The Dubai World International Indoor Football Championships was held last August in Dubai. Six teams participated in this 5- a side tournament: 4 teams of the United Arab Emirates, the Agrupació Barça Jugadors team the team of Veteranos del Real Madrid.
The former teams of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid faced each other in the final that was very disputed and finally won by Real Madrid by 8-7. Real Madrid player Amavisca was the top scorer of the tournament with 9 goals, while Contreras was chosen the best keeper of the tournament. Sergi Barjuan, former FC Barcelona, was chosen the best player of the tournament.
Collector´s item in the second issue of the FEAFV magazine
After the success of the first edition of the FEAFV magazine, the second number saw the light last July. This edition contains not only the federation and national associations’ news but also an interview with Antonio Puchades – a hero of Valencia CF- a tribute to former Atlético de Madrid chairman Vicente Calderón and a report on the life after football of former Real Madrid and Betis left back.
The second number of the FEAFV magazine encloses the first issue of a series of collectables on the national associations. This collector´s item contains the history of 7 of the 43 associations that belong to the FEAFV.
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The Dubai World International Indoor Football Championships was held last 
