If the 11 most loyal to our team were determined by research, Valentin Khlistov would undoubtedly have a special place there. Probably very few people know that his contribution to Neftchi's bronze medal in 1966 was no less than that of Ahmad Alasgarov.

The Khlistovs have an interesting history of coming to Baku. Like most Russians who have visited our country, they have come from the south, not from the other side of the Caspian Sea. Valentin's parents were born in Kars, Turkey. In 1903, due to the tense socio-political situation in Turkey, the Khlistovs took refuge in Baku. Valentin was born in 1927 in Baku. Khlistov, who has always been loyal to Azerbaijan, has never separated himself from us. Therefore, he always considered himself a native of Baku.

Khlistov came to football in 1943, during the bloody war. Valentin, who was studying at a vocational school, also applied to the Society of Reserve Labor Forces, which was established that year. When "Neftchi" was restored after the war, many teenagers of that society - Teymur Valiyev, Tofig Bahramov, Mikhail Efendiyev, Vladimir Karmayev and others turned to the strongest team of the Republic. Among them was Khlistov. Valentin, one of the most reliable defenders of our team, had to end his career in 1955. The defender, who was injured in a match against Moscow's Torpedo, was unable to return to the green.

However, as a coach, Khlistov benefited Azerbaijani football even more. Unable to stay away from football, Valentin left for Moscow after a serious injury and studied at the Higher Coaching School. After returning to Azerbaijan, he worked in many teams. In 1963, his long-cherished dream came true. Khlistov returned to Neftchi as the second coach. It was after his arrival that serious changes were made in the staff of our team. He invited Sergey Kramarenko, Yashar Babayev, Tofig Akhundov, Anatoly Gryazev, Mubariz Zeynalov and Ruslan Abdullayev, whom he knew well from his time in Ganja. Many of those players did their best for Neftchi to win a bronze medal.

After the resignation of Solovyov in 1966, Ahmad Alasgarov took the helm of our team, but his coaching experience was not enough. However, Alasgarov knew the team well because he was from the team. He knew what was going on within the team and who was capable of what. However, Alasgarov had not yet matured as a coach. In such a place, Khlistov helped him enough. Although the first thing that comes to mind when remembering Bronze 66 is Ahmad Muallim, sometimes it is forgotten that Valentin Stepanovich did a great job for the success of our team. Although Khlistov received lucrative offers from many teams during the former Soviet era, he never grew up and left the place where he grew up.

It is interesting that he played a role in the return of our team to the elite in 1976. However, some may be surprised that Khlistov was not in Neftchi then. That season our team was led by Georgi Bondarenko from Riga's Daugava. In fact, the foundation of the team was laid long ago. "Neftchi" preferred the game system, which was founded in 1976 in the time of Khlistov. Most of the players in the squad have been playing together for several years. In general, Khlistov did a lot for Azerbaijani football, "Neftchi", but he was always in the shadows. Valentin Stepanovich could not get rid of the status of second coach. In fact, although he prepared the team tactically and technically, and all the weight fell on him, there were others in the post of head coach.

Khlistov has given many talents to the country's football. The veteran footballer also worked at Neftchi's Olympic Reserve Children and Youth School, and was even the school's director for some time. Arif Asadov and Vladislav Gadirov, former world champions among the youth of the USSR national team, also played a significant role in their development as professional footballers. Unfortunately, age had an effect. Khlistov, who has been loyal to Azerbaijani football for almost 40 years, was forced to leave Baku in the first years of independence, but his heart was always with Neftchi.

Valentin Khlistov died on March 8, 2007.