Discover the Weekend Division Squad With Over 1,800 Premier League Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This bench for Wythenshawe Vets in a six-two triumph versus Collegiate Old Boys on 19 October (from left to right) - Oumar Niasse, another, a teammate, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How can you enhance a outstanding experienced side who have claimed back-to-back titles, including a double triumph with 30 wins from thirty-two matches?

Bring in a group of ex- professionals who have performed at the top tier of club and international football as you pursue more silverware.

One Greater Manchester club fields an non-professional vets team with nine former top-flight footballers in their present roster.

222 Premier League Scores, Three Hundred Twenty-Five International Caps

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

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

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

They feature one forward, who notched 37 scores in 117 games for Newcastle United after joining them for £9m from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg in 2012.

Cisse made his debut for the team in their last home game versus reigning title holders Collegiate Old Boys and netted every one of the six scores in a six-two win - including a half-hour first-half triple.

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

In total, the ex- top-flight footballers have won 15 major trophies and transferred for total transfer fees of around £123 million.

Household Figures and International Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won 6 Republic of Ireland appearances, netting 4 scores

Stephen Ireland started playing for the side during preseason this season through close mate and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland player then asked additional former professionals, who all play in a weekly small-sided match, to join in.

Ex- Senegalese forward Niasse, who netted 12 goals in sixty-five Premier League games for the Toffees and still goes to their home games, also had his debut versus Collegiate OB - who are based in the city and use an Everton training kit as their strip.

Oumar Niasse playing for Everton
Oumar Niasse played for the club between 2016 and 2020

"A mate Stephen Ireland said 'join and play, it's enjoyable'," said Niasse.

"Then he told me we were facing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I noticed them sporting Everton kits - I thought 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?

"The fans who come and see are pleased and to give a moment if they see us playing there and to ask us queries - it's more like the pleasure of us having a place we can enjoy football, with structure of course."

Such is the strength in depth at Wythenshawe, Niasse had his first game at full-back.

"It's a bit different but then, I love running and just move inside - I'm not defending that much," he said.

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

"That movement is what I'm seeking. It's good fun."

Maynor Figueroa in action
Former Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa is playing for the team

Unreal Experience

In addition to Cisse's six goals on his first game, Ireland has scored 8 in 3 appearances for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd scored 5 on his debut appearance and Lescott, a defender by position, scored a hat-trick in one game as a striker.

The team are top of the Top Tier with three victories from three and a goal difference of +19.

Paul Barrow, 38, who plays on the flank for the opposition, faced ex- Wigan full-back Figueroa on the weekend - and had to explain his young son who Emile Heskey was.

He has played at two World Cups for Honduras, in addition to playing in over 200 top-flight matches.

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

"I think I was a bit starstruck playing against him to be honest.

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

"We competed well for a good twenty minutes but then we had a man dismissed and it was hard.

"We literally haven't ceased talking about it - I was calling my mum and sibling on the journey home.

"The opponents were all really nice, shaking our hands after the match - it was like facing a group of normal guys.

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

We Will Still Take the Title'

The manager manages the opposition veterans team, who secured the Top Tier championship the previous campaign, together with his co-manager.

"We scored one-nil up and had a

Craig Watson
Craig Watson

A seasoned travel writer and luxury lifestyle expert with over a decade of experience exploring opulent destinations and curating elite experiences.

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