Introduce this Sunday League Squad Featuring Over 1,800 English Top Division Games

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The bench for Wythenshawe Vets during a 6-2 triumph versus Collegiate Old Boys on 19 October (left to right) - one player, Papiss Cisse, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How do you enhance a outstanding experienced team who have won consecutive championships, featuring a double triumph boasting 30 wins from thirty-two games?

Bring in a collection of former professionals that have competed at the top level of club and global soccer as you aim for additional honors.

One Manchester team boasts an non-professional vets squad with 9 ex- Premier League footballers in their active squad.

222 Premier League Goals, 325 International Caps

Wythenshawe Veterans Over-35s are based in south the city and compete in the Cheshire-based Vets League Premier Tier.

Their lineup this campaign boasts 9 ex- top-flight players, with a collective nearly 1,800 Premier League appearances.

The star-studded team also boasts over 220 top division goals and over 320 global caps.

The squad include Papiss Cisse, who notched 37 goals in over 100 games for his former club after joining them for nine million pounds from German league side SC Freiburg in 2012.

He made his debut for the team in their last home-field match versus reigning title holders their rivals and scored all six scores in a 6-2 win - including a half-hour first-half triple.

Wythenshawe's roster for this season also features ex- pros such as English and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley FC midfielder George Boyd, Everton striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa, City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight title winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the ex- Premier League footballers have claimed 15 big trophies and transferred for combined transfer fees of approximately £123 million.

Household Figures and Global Players

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland earned 6 Republic of Ireland caps, scoring 4 goals

Stephen Ireland began playing for the side in preseason this summer through good friend and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland midfielder then asked additional ex-pros, who all play in a midweek nine-a-side match, to participate.

Ex- Senegal striker Niasse, who netted twelve goals in 65 Premier League games for Everton and still attends their home games, also made his first appearance versus Collegiate OB - who are located in the city and use an Blue warm-up gear as their strip.

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

"A mate Stephen said 'come and play, it's good fun'," commented Niasse.

"After that he told me we were playing a side from the city and the shock I had when I saw them wearing Everton shirts - I thought this is wrong for me!

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

"Those spectators who turn up and see are happy and to give a day if they see us playing there and to ask us questions - it's more like the joy of us having somewhere we can enjoy football, with organisation of course."

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

"That's a little different but then, I enjoy running and just move forward - I'm not staying back that much," he added.

"I warn my centre-back 'I'm not hanging back' and that I'm just going to keep attacking.

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

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

'Surreal Scenario

In addition to the forward's 6 goals on his first game, Ireland has scored 8 in three games for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd hit five on his debut appearance and Joleon Lescott, a defender by position, scored a triple in one game as a striker.

The team are top of the Top Division with 3 wins from 3 and a GD of plus nineteen.

One opponent, 38, who plays on the wing for the opposition, came up against ex- Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa on the weekend - and had to tell his nine-year-old boy who Emile Heskey was.

Figueroa has played at 2 World Cups for Honduras, in as well as playing in over 200 Premier League games.

"It was spreading like a rumor they had all these ex-Premier League stars," remarked the player.

"I felt I was a little awestruck playing against him to be honest.

"Also Heskey got on and he's got over 60 England appearances.

"Our side competed well for a solid 20 minutes but then we had a man sent off and it was tough.

"Our group literally haven't ceased chatting about it - I was phoning my mum and sibling on the way home.

"They were all friendly, shaking our hands after the game - it was like facing a group of regular guys.

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

We Will Still Win the League'

The manager coaches the opposition veterans side, who secured the Premier Division championship the previous campaign, along with Paul Maguire.

"We scored 1-0 up and had a

April Powell
April Powell

A clinical psychologist and writer passionate about mental wellness and mindfulness practices.