Discover this Weekend Division Squad Boasting 1,800 English Top Division Games

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This substitutes for Wythenshawe Vets in a six-two win versus their opponents on October 19th (left to right) - one player, another, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How do you improve a stellar veteran side who have claimed back-to-back championships, including a double triumph boasting thirty wins from thirty-two games?

Bring in a group of former pro players who have performed at the top level of club and international football as you target more silverware.

One Greater Manchester team fields an non-professional veterans squad with nine ex- Premier League footballers in their active squad.

Two Hundred Twenty-Two Premier League Scores, Three Hundred Twenty-Five Global Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets Over 35s are situated in south the city and compete in the Cheshire Veterans Division Top Division.

Their lineup this season includes 9 former Premier League footballers, with a collective 1,801 top-flight appearances.

The high-profile squad also contains over 220 top division scores and 325 global caps.

The squad include Papiss Cisse, who netted thirty-seven scores in 117 games for Newcastle United after joining them for £9m from German league club Freiburg in January 2012.

Cisse made his first appearance for Wythenshawe in their most recent home game versus reigning champions their rivals and scored all six scores in a six-two victory - featuring a 32-minute opening period triple.

Wythenshawe's roster for this campaign also includes ex- pros such as England and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley midfielder George Boyd, Everton forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa, City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight championship winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the former Premier League players have claimed 15 big honors and moved for total transfer fees of approximately £123m.

Household Figures and Global Stars

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

Stephen Ireland started turning out for the team in pre-season this season through close friend and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland player then invited additional former professionals, who all compete in a weekly small-sided game, to join in.

Former Senegal forward Oumar Niasse, who netted twelve scores in 65 Premier League games for Everton and still attends their matches at Goodison Park, also had his debut against the opposition - who are based in the city and wear an Blue training kit as their strip.

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

"A mate Stephen told me 'come and play, it's enjoyable'," commented the striker.

"Then he informed me we were playing a team from the city and the shock I had when I noticed them sporting Blue shirts - I say this is strange for me!

"When you still love the game and you feel you can still play, wherever you can kick a ball, what are you going to choose?

"Those fans who come and see are happy and to make a day if they see us playing there and to ask us queries - it's more like the pleasure of us having a place we can play, with organisation of course."

So great is the bench strength at Wythenshawe, Niasse had his first game at defender.

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

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

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Former Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa is turning out for the team

'Surreal Experience

In addition to the forward's six scores on his first game, Stephen Ireland has scored 8 in three appearances for Wythenshawe, while Boyd hit five on his debut appearance and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by trade, notched a triple in one match up front.

Wythenshawe are top of the Top Tier with 3 wins from 3 and a GD of +19.

One opponent, thirty-eight, who features on the wing for Collegiate OB, came up against ex- Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa on the weekend - and had to explain his nine-year-old boy who Heskey was.

He has played at two World Cups for his country, in addition to playing in over 200 top-flight games.

"The news was spreading like wildfire they had all these ex-Premier League players," remarked Barrow.

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

"Also Emile [Heskey] came on and he's has 60-odd English appearances.

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

"We literally have not stopped chatting about it - I was calling my mum and brother on the way home.

"The opponents were all really nice, shaking our hands after the game - it was like facing a group of regular fellas.

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

'We'll Still Win the Title'

Andy Kirby manages the Collegiate veterans side, who secured the Premier Division championship last season, along with his co-manager.

"Our team went 1-0 up and had a

Bethany Austin
Bethany Austin

A tech enthusiast and gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in the industry, specializing in emerging trends and innovations.