Introduce this Weekend Division Squad Featuring Over 1,800 English Top Division Matches

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The bench for the team Veterans in a six-two win against their opponents on 19 October (left to right) - Oumar Niasse, another, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

What do you boost a outstanding experienced team that have secured consecutive titles, including a league-cup double boasting 30 victories from 32 matches?

Sign a collection of ex- professionals who have competed at the top tier of club and global soccer as you aim for more trophies.

One Greater Manchester side boasts an amateur veterans squad with 9 former Premier League players in their present lineup.

222 Premier League Scores, 325 Global Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets Over-35s are located in southern Manchester and compete in the Cheshire Vets Division Top Division.

Their roster this season features nine former top-flight players, with a collective over 1,800 top-flight games.

This star-studded roster also boasts 222 top division goals and 325 international caps.

The squad feature Papiss Cisse, who notched 37 scores in 117 appearances for his former club after signing for them for nine million pounds from German league side SC Freiburg in January 2012.

He made his debut for Wythenshawe in their last home-field game against reigning title holders Collegiate Old Boys and scored every one of the six goals in a six-two victory - including a half-hour first-half hat-trick.

Wythenshawe's team for this season also includes former pros such as England and Anfield striker Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley midfielder George Boyd, Toffees striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League championship winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the former Premier League players have claimed fifteen big honors and moved for total transfer sums of around £123 million.

Household Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won 6 Republic of Ireland caps, scoring four scores

Stephen Ireland started turning out for the side during pre-season this summer through close mate and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland midfielder then asked additional former professionals, who all compete in a weekly small-sided game, to join in.

Ex- Senegal striker Oumar Niasse, who netted 12 goals in sixty-five Premier League matches for Everton and even now attends their home games, also had his first appearance against the opposition - who are located in the city and wear an Everton warm-up gear as their strip.

Oumar Niasse playing for Everton
He featured for the club between 2016 and 2020

"My mate Stephen Ireland told me 'come and have a game, it's a laugh'," commented Niasse.

"After that he told me we were playing a side from Liverpool and the shock I had when I saw them wearing Blue shirts - I say this is strange for me!

"If you still enjoy football and you feel you can still do it, wherever you can play, what are you going to do?

"Those spectators who come and watch are pleased and to give someone's moment if they see us playing there and to ask us questions - it's really about the joy of us getting a place we can play, with structure of course."

So great is the bench strength at the club, he had his first game at defender.

"It's a little unusual but then, I love sprinting and just move forward - I'm not staying back that much," he said.

"I tell my centre-back 'I'm not staying' and that I'm just going to continue attacking.

"The running is what I'm seeking. It's good fun."

Maynor Figueroa in action
Ex- Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa is playing for Wythenshawe

'Surreal Feeling

In addition to Cisse's six goals on debut, Ireland has netted eight in three appearances for the side, while Boyd hit 5 on his first appearance and Lescott, a centre-half by position, scored a triple in one match as a striker.

Wythenshawe are leading of the Premier Division with three victories from three and a GD of +19.

Paul Barrow, 38, who features on the wing for the opposition, faced former Latics full-back Figueroa on the weekend - and had to tell his nine-year-old son who Emile Heskey was.

He has played at two global tournaments for his country, in addition to playing in more than 200 top-flight matches.

"The news was spreading like a rumor they had all these ex-Premier League players," said Barrow.

"I think I was a bit awestruck playing against Figueroa to be honest.

"Even Heskey came on and he's has 60-odd England caps.

"We competed well for a good twenty minutes but then we had a man dismissed and it was tough.

"We literally have not ceased talking about it - I was phoning my mother and sibling on the way home.

"The opponents were all really nice, shaking our hands after the match - it was like facing a bunch of normal fellas.

"Now we can't wait for the second match."

'We'll Still Win the League'

The manager manages the opposition veterans side, who secured the Premier Division championship last season, together with Paul Maguire.

"Our team scored 1-0 ahead and had a

Nicole Harrison
Nicole Harrison

A local Tilburg enthusiast and freelance writer passionate about uncovering the city's vibrant culture and stories.

Popular Post