Discover the Weekend League Club With Nearly Two Thousand Premier League Matches

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

How can you enhance a excellent experienced team that have secured consecutive championships, including a double triumph boasting thirty victories from thirty-two games?

Recruit a collection of former professionals who have competed at the elite level of club and international football as you target additional trophies.

One Manchester side boasts an non-professional vets squad with nine ex- top-flight players in their current squad.

Two Hundred Twenty-Two Top Division Goals, 325 International Caps

Wythenshawe Veterans Over 35s are situated in southern Manchester and compete in the Cheshire Veterans League Top Division.

The lineup this season features nine ex- top-flight players, with a total over 1,800 elite games.

This elite roster also includes 222 Premier League scores and 325 international appearances.

They include Papiss Cisse, who scored thirty-seven goals in 117 games for his former club after joining them for £9m from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg in 2012.

Cisse made his first appearance for Wythenshawe in their last home match against reigning title holders Collegiate Old Boys and scored all six scores in a 6-2 win - including a 32-minute first-half triple.

The squad for this campaign also includes ex- pros such as English and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley midfielder George Boyd, Toffees forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight title victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the ex- Premier League players have claimed 15 big honors and transferred for combined transfer fees of approximately £123m.

Well-Known Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland earned six Republic of Ireland appearances, netting four scores

Ireland began turning out for the team during pre-season this season through close mate and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland midfielder then asked additional ex-pros, who all play in a weekly nine-a-side game, to participate.

Ex- Senegal striker Niasse, who scored twelve goals in sixty-five Premier League games for Everton and still goes to their home games, also made his debut against the opposition - who are based in the city and use an Everton training kit as their strip.

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

"A mate Stephen said 'come and play, it's a laugh'," said Niasse.

"After that he informed me we were playing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I saw them wearing Blue kits - I thought this is strange for me!

"If you still love the game and you know you can still play, anywhere you can kick a ball, what are you going to choose?

"The spectators who come and watch are happy and to make someone's day if they watch us playing there and to pose us questions - it's really about the joy of us having somewhere we can enjoy football, with organisation of course."

Such is the bench strength at Wythenshawe, he had his debut at full-back.

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

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

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Ex- Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa is turning out for the team

Unreal Scenario

Along with the forward's 6 scores on his first game, Ireland has scored 8 in 3 appearances for the side, while George Boyd hit 5 on his first appearance and Joleon Lescott, a defender by position, scored a triple in one match up front.

The team are leading of the Top Division with three wins from three and a goal difference of plus nineteen.

One opponent, 38, who plays on the wing for Collegiate OB, faced former Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa on Sunday - and had to tell his nine-year-old son who Heskey was.

He has played at 2 World Cups for Honduras, in addition to featuring in more than 200 Premier League games.

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

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

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

"We held our own for a solid 20 mins but then we had a man sent off and it was tough.

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

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

"Now we are eager for the return fixture."

We Will Still Win the Title'

Andy Kirby coaches the Collegiate veterans team, who secured the Top Tier championship the previous campaign, together with Paul Maguire.

"We went one-nil ahead and had a

Robert Villa
Robert Villa

Liam Visser is a seasoned gamer and tech journalist with a passion for uncovering hidden gaming gems.