Discover this Weekend Division Squad Boasting Over 1,800 English Top Division Matches

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

How do you boost a stellar veteran side that have won back-to-back championships, including a double triumph boasting thirty victories from thirty-two matches?

Recruit a raft of former pro players who have played at the top level of club football and international football as you aim for more silverware.

A Manchester side boasts an non-professional veterans team with 9 former Premier League footballers in their current squad.

222 Top Division Goals, 325 International Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets Over-35s are situated in south Manchester and play in the Cheshire Veterans League Premier Tier.

Their lineup this campaign boasts nine former top-flight footballers, with a total 1,801 top-flight matches.

This high-profile roster also contains over 220 Premier League goals and 325 global appearances.

They feature one forward, who scored thirty-seven scores in over 100 appearances for his former club after joining them for £9m from German league side SC Freiburg in January 2012.

Cisse had his first appearance for the team in their last home match versus reigning title holders their rivals and netted all six scores in a six-two win - including a half-hour opening period triple.

Wythenshawe's team for this campaign also includes former pros such as English and Anfield striker Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley FC winger George Boyd, Everton striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League championship victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the former Premier League footballers have claimed fifteen big honors and transferred for combined transfer fees of around £123m.

Famous Names and International Players

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland earned six Irish caps, netting four scores

Stephen Ireland started turning out for the team in preseason this summer through good mate and current team player Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland player then asked other former professionals, who all compete in a weekly small-sided game, to participate.

Ex- Senegalese forward Niasse, who scored 12 goals in 65 Premier League games for Everton and still goes to their home games, also made his debut against Collegiate OB - who are located in Liverpool and wear an Everton training kit as their uniform.

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

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

"Then he told me we were facing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I noticed them sporting Blue kits - I thought this is wrong for me!

"If you still enjoy the game and you feel you can still do it, anywhere you can play, what are you going to do?

"The people who come and watch are pleased and to give a moment if they see us playing there and to pose us queries - it's really about the pleasure of us getting somewhere we can play, with organisation of course."

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

"That's a bit unusual but then, I love sprinting and just go inside - I'm not staying back that much," he said.

"I warn my defender 'I'm not staying' and that I'm just going to continue attacking.

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Former Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa is playing for Wythenshawe

'Surreal Feeling

In addition to the forward's six goals on debut, Stephen Ireland has netted eight in three games for Wythenshawe, while Boyd scored 5 on his first appearance and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by position, scored a hat-trick in one match up front.

Wythenshawe are leading of the Top Tier with 3 victories from three and a goal difference of +19.

Paul Barrow, thirty-eight, who plays on the wing for the opposition, faced former Latics defender Figueroa on Sunday - and had to tell his young boy who Heskey was.

Figueroa has played at two global tournaments for his country, in as well as featuring in over two hundred Premier League matches.

"The news was going round like wildfire they had all these ex-Premier League stars," said the player.

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

"Also Heskey came on and he's got 60-odd English caps.

"Our side held our own for a good 20 mins but then we had a player sent off and it was tough.

"Our group really haven't stopped chatting about it - I was calling my mother and brother on the way home.

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

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

'We'll Still Win the League'

Andy Kirby manages the Collegiate vets team, who secured the Premier Division championship last season, along with Paul Maguire.

"We scored 1-0 ahead and had a

Kayla Duran
Kayla Duran

Liam van der Meer is a seasoned urban explorer and journalist passionate about city culture and sustainable living.

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