Jarek moved to Birmingham three years ago and took a job as a Villa coach driver, transporting the players and supplying their meals.
 | | Club founder Andrzej |
"As the months progressed, I'd gradually been meeting more and more Polish football fans in Birmingham,” he says. "They were all huge Villa supporters. The thought of setting up a fan club did occur to me but I'd no idea how to go about it." Approaching Villa Jarek approached Villa Marketing Executive Dan Meredith who advised him to organise a group of 20 or so like minded Poles to show that they were serious about forming an official fan club. "I thought it was a brilliant idea," says Dan. "At the moment we receive two or three letters from Poland every day asking for autographs and club souvenirs. I know a lot of Poles who are fanatical about the Premiership and we look forward to having them as Villa fans!" Jarek quickly rounded up other fans from the Birmingham Polish community.
 | | Club member Michal |
"Villa have a big following back home," says club member Michal. "Their international recognition and achievements attract many young Poles. "When I was younger I never ever thought that I'd be living in Birmingham one day. Now I live practically next door to Villa Park and can watch all the home games live." Football as a whole is a huge part of Polish culture. "We may not have major achievements at the moment but we are just as football mad as English people!" says Michal. The seal of approval The fan club is to be officially endorsed by Aston Villa. Dan Meredith:
 | | Villa versus Blues |
"This club will be an official establishment meaning that there will be strict rules that the Polish fans will have to obey. Once the formalities are set up the club will be registered in days." Andrzej has already set about translating the brochures and legal documents so that fans in Poland, and members of Birmingham's thriving Polish community who want to join the club, will understand its rules. The first official meeting of the Aston Villa Polish Fan Club takes place at the Polish Club in Digbeth on Saturday 27th January 2007. Anyone interested in joining is invited to attend. | 
