Sunday 16 November 2014 13:47, UK
Stiliyan Petrov says he is enjoying football more than ever after returning to the game with a Sunday league side.
The former Celtic and Aston Villa midfielder announced his retirement in May 2013, 14 months after he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
The Bulgarian's treatment is not yet finished, but he is now well enough to turn out for Wychall Wanderers in the Warwickshire Central Over-35s League.
And after a 5-0 win made it eight straight wins, Petrov told Sky Sports News HQ: "Obviously I needed to retire because of my illness, and I enjoy it even more now - it's like starting playing football again.
"You go back to the dressing room, wash your boots, prepare for next week. It's like when you're a young boy - my dad never let me go off training if I hadn't cleaned my boots. Being in the Premier League's completely different - they look after you, everything's there. This is back to my youth days.
The touch is still there, but obviously the fitness is not. I'm still working on it, and I know when I recover from my treatment I can start working even harder and get fitter.
"I've been doing a bit of fitness work over the last couple of months. The touch is still there, but obviously the fitness is not. I'm still working on it, and I know when I recover from my treatement I can start working even harder and get fitter.
"You miss the build-up and everything about football. We've got people coming to watch now and a bit of atmosphere - when you've played football all your life you're always going to miss it."
Petrov still follows the fortunes of his old clubs and believes there are reasons for optimism at Villa and Celtic.
He said: "The last couple of games have not ben the best for Villa, but i know they'll turn it around. We haven't seen that reaction yet, but I know the manager, Roy Keane and everyone are working hard to change that.
"Paul Lambert is full of fight - he never gives up. They'll have a tough season but they're ready to make sure they're still in that league."
Of Celtic, now back on top of the Scottish Premiership after a difficult start under Ronny Deila, he said: "Without Rangers in that league Celtic can afford a bad run. They'll always finish on top becaue they have more quality than other teams.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Rangers back in that league because I think it'll push them again to spend money, to bring in even better players and to aim higher."
