Introduce the Weekend Division Team Boasting Nearly Two Thousand Premier League Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The substitutes for Wythenshawe Vets during a six-two victory versus their opponents on 19 October (from left to right) - one player, Papiss Cisse, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How do you enhance a outstanding veteran squad that have won consecutive titles, including a league-cup double with thirty victories from 32 matches?

Recruit a raft of former pro players that have competed at the highest level of club and global soccer as you aim for further silverware.

A Manchester team fields an non-professional veterans squad with 9 former top-flight footballers in their present squad.

222 Premier League Scores, 325 Global Caps

Wythenshawe Veterans Over-35s are situated in south Manchester and compete in the Cheshire-based Veterans League Premier Division.

Their roster this season boasts nine ex- Premier League players, with a collective 1,801 elite matches.

This elite team also includes over 220 Premier League scores and over 320 global caps.

They feature Papiss Cisse, who netted thirty-seven goals in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after moving to them for nine million pounds from German league club SC Freiburg in January 2012.

He had his debut for Wythenshawe in their last home-field game against reigning title holders Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six scores in a six-two win - featuring a 32-minute first-half hat-trick.

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

Collectively, the former Premier League players have claimed fifteen significant honors and moved for combined transfer sums of approximately £123m.

Household Figures and International Players

Stephen Ireland in action
He won 6 Irish caps, netting four goals

Stephen Ireland began turning out for the team in pre-season this summer through close mate and present Wythenshawe teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland midfielder then asked additional ex-pros, who all play in a midweek small-sided game, to participate.

Ex- Senegalese forward Oumar Niasse, who netted 12 scores in sixty-five Premier League matches for Everton and still attends their home games, also made his debut versus Collegiate OB - who are based in Liverpool and wear an Blue training kit as their strip.

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

"My friend Stephen said 'come and play, it's good fun'," said Niasse.

"After that he told me we were facing a team from the city and the shock I had when I noticed them sporting Everton shirts - I say this is wrong for me!

"If you still enjoy the game and you feel you can still do it, anywhere you can kick a ball, what are you going to choose?

"Those fans who turn up and see are happy and to give a day if they see us competing there and to pose us queries - it's really about the pleasure of us having a place we can enjoy football, with organisation of course."

Such is the squad depth at the club, he had his debut at defender.

"It's a bit different but then, I enjoy running and just go inside - I'm not defending that much," he added.

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

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

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

Dreamlike' Feeling

In addition to Cisse's 6 goals on his first game, Ireland has netted eight in 3 games for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd scored five on his first match and Lescott, a defender by position, notched a triple in one game up front.

Wythenshawe are top of the Premier Tier with 3 victories from three and a GD of plus nineteen.

One opponent, thirty-eight, who plays on the flank for Collegiate OB, faced ex- Latics defender Figueroa on Sunday - and had to tell his nine-year-old son who Heskey was.

He has appeared at 2 global tournaments for Honduras, in as well as playing in over two hundred Premier League games.

"The news was going round like wildfire they had these former top-flight stars," remarked the player.

"I think I was a little awestruck facing Figueroa to be honest.

"Even Heskey came on and he's has over 60 England appearances.

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

"Our group literally have not ceased talking about it - I was calling my mother and brother on the way home.

"They were all really nice, shaking our hands after the game - it was like playing a bunch of normal fellas.

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

'We'll Still Take the League'

Andy Kirby coaches the Collegiate vets side, who won the Top Tier title the previous campaign, together with Paul Maguire.

"We scored 1-0 up and had a

Jesus Gutierrez
Jesus Gutierrez

A tech journalist and digital strategist passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society.