Meet the Sunday Division Club Featuring Over 1,800 English Top Division Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The substitutes for the team Veterans during a six-two victory versus Collegiate Old Boys on 19 October (left to right) - one player, another, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How do you improve a outstanding experienced squad that have claimed consecutive championships, including a double triumph boasting 30 wins from thirty-two matches?

Bring in a raft of former pro players that have played at the highest tier of club and global soccer as you pursue additional silverware.

One Manchester team boasts an non-professional vets squad with 9 ex- top-flight footballers in their active lineup.

Two Hundred Twenty-Two Top Division Scores, Three Hundred Twenty-Five International Caps

Wythenshawe Vets Over-35s are situated in south the city and play in the Cheshire-based Vets League Top Division.

The lineup this campaign features 9 former Premier League players, with a combined nearly 1,800 elite games.

This high-profile squad also boasts over 220 top division scores and 325 international caps.

The squad feature Papiss Cisse, who notched thirty-seven scores in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after moving to them for nine million pounds from Bundesliga side Freiburg in 2012.

Cisse had his debut for the team in their most recent home game against reigning title holders their rivals and scored every one of the six goals in a six-two win - featuring a 32-minute opening period hat-trick.

Wythenshawe's squad for this season also features ex- professionals such as English and Anfield striker Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley winger George Boyd, Toffees forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight championship victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

In total, the former Premier League footballers have won 15 significant trophies and transferred for total transfer fees of around Β£123 million.

Famous Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
He won six Irish caps, netting four goals

Ireland began playing for the side in preseason this summer through close friend and present Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the former Irish player then asked other ex-pros, who all play in a weekly nine-a-side match, to join in.

Ex- Senegal striker Oumar Niasse, who netted 12 scores in 65 Premier League games for Everton and still goes to their home games, also made his debut against Collegiate OB - who are based in the city and use an Everton warm-up gear as their strip.

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

"My mate Stephen Ireland told me 'come and play, it's good fun'," said Niasse.

"Then he informed me we were facing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I noticed them wearing Blue shirts - I thought this is strange for me!

"When you still love football and you know you can still play, anywhere you can kick a ball, what are you going to do?

"Those spectators who turn up and watch are pleased and to make a day if they see us playing there and to pose us questions - it's really about the pleasure of us having a place we can enjoy football, with structure of course."

Such is the strength in depth at the club, Niasse made his debut at defender.

"It's a bit different but then, I enjoy sprinting and just go forward - I'm not staying back that much," he said.

"I warn my defender 'I'm not hanging back' and that I'm just going to keep running.

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Ex- Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa is turning out for Wythenshawe

'Surreal Scenario

Along with Cisse's 6 scores on debut, Ireland has netted 8 in 3 games for the side, while Boyd scored five on his debut appearance and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by trade, notched a hat-trick in one game as a striker.

Wythenshawe are top of the Top Tier with three victories from three and a goal difference of +19.

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

Figueroa has played at 2 global tournaments for his country, in as well as featuring in more than 200 Premier League matches.

"It was going round like wildfire they had these former top-flight stars," said the player.

"I think I was a bit starstruck playing against him to be honest.

"Even Emile [Heskey] came on and he's got 60-odd England appearances.

"Our side held our own for a solid twenty mins but then we had a player dismissed and it was hard.

"Our group really have not ceased chatting about it - I was phoning my mum and sibling on the way home.

"The opponents were all really nice, shaking our hands after the game - it was like playing a group of normal guys.

"Now we are eager for the second fixture."

'We'll Still Take the Title'

Andy Kirby coaches the opposition vets side, who won the Premier Division title the previous campaign, together with Paul Maguire.

"Our team went 1-0 up and had a

Anthony Clark
Anthony Clark

A seasoned business strategist with over 15 years of experience helping companies scale and innovate in dynamic industries.