Interview Milen Penchev Published on: 04-09-2012

Interview by Andrew Grima, Statistics by Victor Spiteri, Photos Archives.

We are happy to publish another exclusive interview, this time with ex-Valletta F.C. midfielder Milen Penchev.

Profile:

Milen Penchev was born on May 25, 1970.

1992-1993, Milen started his career with Sliven FC in Bulgaria, during his first season he made 11 appearances.

1993-1994, During the following season Milen joined Shumen FC, another football club based in the city of Shumen, Bulgaria. He succeeded in scoring 11 goals and made a total of 56 appearances.

1995-1996, Penchev joined one of the oldest clubs in Bulgaria Levski Sofia. The club is named after Vasil Levski, a Bulgarian revolutionary renowned as the national hero of Bulgaria. With Levski Milen failed to score and took part in 15 matches.

1997-98, Milen Penchev joined Dobrudzha Dobrich, a Bulgarian football club from the town of Dobrich. He made 52 appearances and scored 6 goals.

1999-2000, Penchev moved to Chernomorets another Bulgarian football club. He made a total of 20 appearances before leaving the club in 2001.

2002, Milen arrived in Malta in summer for a trial. The left-sided midfielder was recommended to Valletta by former Bulgarian coach Krassimir Manolov.

Penchev made his debut with Valletta during a friendly match against Zurrieq in August 2002. During his first season with Valletta, Milen Penchev won the Grandstand EuroSport player of the month in November 2002.

In January 2003, Milen Penchev left Valletta for a short trial with Greek Anorthosis Famagusta, he returned back with the Citizens after the trial.

Penchev left Valletta F.C. in September 2005, following an agreement between the two parties to terminate his contract, due to a recurring lengthy knee injury which kept him out of action for most of the season.

During his spell with Valletta, Milen established himself as one of Valletta's most influential players during the seasons.



(Q) Name and Surname?
(A) Milen Penchev Stefanov

(Q) How old are you ?
(A) 42 years old

(Q) Where are you playing at the moment?
(A) At the moment I am playing for my first hometown club FC VOLOV 1929. We were the winner in the last regional football championship. I scored a few very important goals in some derby matches. We had a promotion for a higher football group/division.

(Q) Do you have a nickname?
(A) NO

(Q) Why did you choose Malta?
(A) I was not playing for any football team at that time and it was a challenge for me wanting to know more about a new country.

(Q) In which seasons did you play for Valletta F.C.?
(A) 2002-2006



(Q) What position did you play with Valletta F.C.?
(A) Midfielder

(Q) Did you win any honors while you were in Malta?
(A) I won a CUP with my team; I was chosen a few times as the best player of the month, however, the best award for me was people's love towards me in Malta as well as FC VALLETTA fans' love.
Who were the club coaches when you played with Valletta FC ? Coaches were J.J.Aqulina, Atanas Marinov and Dennis Fenech


(Q) Can you please tell us about these coaches and technical staff?
(A) They were good coaches and each of them made his best for the team's success.

(Q) Did you enjoy playing with Valletta FC?
(A) Yes, of course. This team has a place in my heart always.

(Q) How would you describe the Valletta fans?
(A) I would compare them with the fans of Liverpool. They have always supported the team no matter what. I have wonderful feelings towards them.



(Q) Did you regret joining Valletta?
(A) I could not regret. I had a good chance to know a new lifestyle of people who live in a small but beautiful country. I realized that the Maltese are very happy knowing how to live ,work and go through their lives. My son was born in Malta and my family was very happy there.

(Q) Which is the most remarkable goal you scored with Valletta F.C.?
(A) To me, the most important goal at that time was the goal I scored in Maltese people's hearts. I mean their love was the most important thing to me.

(Q) Which were your precious moments in Malta?
(A) There are many of them. My son was born in Malta. I met a lot of good ,warm and wonderful people/including fans of other teams/.I had a chance to know more about Malta, about it’s history and traditions.

(Q) Are you still following Valletta F.C. today?
(A) I am still interested in the team which I played for, its position in the football group and I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS regarding the last Championship which they won.

(Q) What are your comments towards all Valletta fans?
(A) I am impressed with them and I wish them to be as good as they have always been.

(Q) Do you think you and your family will come back to visit Malta and maybe watch Valletta play again?
(A) Yes, I can’t wait to visit this beautiful country once again. I wish I could see a football match of my favorite Maltese team, Valletta and meet my old friends too.



Statistics:

Premier League
Season 2002-03            played 25 games,            Substituted 8 times       scored 3   Man of match twice
Season 2003-04            played 21 games             Substituted 4 times       scored 1
Season 2004-05            played 25 games             Substituted 3 times       scored 2   Man of match twice
Season 2005-06            played 2 games               Substituted 2 games

Total:  Games played 73, Goals scored 6, Man of Match 4

F.A.Trophy
Season 2002-03            played 1 game
Season 2003-04            played 1 game
Season 2004-05            played 3 games

Total Games Played 5

Lowenbrau Cup
Season 2003-04             Played 1 game

Super Five Cup
Season 2002-03             Played 1 game
Season 2003-04             Played 2 games

Honours won:
Carlsberg Tournament trophy 2005