Meet the Sunday Division Squad Boasting Nearly Two Thousand English Top Division Matches

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The substitutes for the team Vets during a 6-2 win against their opponents on October 19th (from left to right) - one player, another, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How do you improve a stellar experienced team that have won back-to-back titles, including a double triumph boasting thirty victories from 32 games?

Bring in a group of ex- pro players who have performed at the elite level of club and global football as you pursue further trophies.

A Greater Manchester side has an amateur vets squad with 9 former Premier League footballers in their active roster.

Two Hundred Twenty-Two Top Division Goals, Three Hundred Twenty-Five Global Appearances

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

The roster this season features nine former top-flight footballers, with a collective nearly 1,800 Premier League games.

This high-profile squad also contains 222 top division scores and over 320 global caps.

They include one forward, who scored 37 scores in 117 games for Newcastle United after moving to them for nine million pounds from German league club Freiburg in 2012.

He made his debut for Wythenshawe in their most recent home-field game against defending title holders Collegiate Old Boys and scored all six goals in a 6-2 victory - including a half-hour first-half hat-trick.

Wythenshawe's squad for this campaign also includes ex- pros such as England and Liverpool forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley FC midfielder George Boyd, Toffees forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa, City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League title victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

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

Household Figures and International Players

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland earned six Republic of Ireland appearances, netting 4 scores

Stephen Ireland began playing for the team in preseason this season through good mate and current Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland midfielder then invited additional ex-pros, who all play in a weekly nine-a-side game, to participate.

Ex- Senegal striker Niasse, who scored twelve goals in 65 top-flight matches for Everton and still goes to their home games, also made his first appearance against the opposition - who are located in Liverpool and use an Blue training kit as their uniform.

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

"My mate Stephen told me 'come and play, it's a laugh'," said the striker.

"After that he informed me we were playing a side from the city and the surprise I had when I noticed them wearing Everton shirts - I say this is strange for me!

"When you still enjoy football and you know you can still do it, wherever you can kick a ball, what are you going to choose?

"Those people who come and watch are happy and to give someone's moment if they watch us playing there and to pose us queries - it's more like the joy of us having somewhere we can play, with organisation of course."

Such is the strength in depth at Wythenshawe, he made his first game at defender.

"That's a little different but then, I love running and just move forward - I'm not defending that much," he added.

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

"That running is what I'm after. It's good fun."

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

'Surreal Feeling

Along with Cisse's 6 scores on debut, Stephen Ireland has netted eight in three games for the side, while George Boyd scored five on his first match and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by position, notched a triple in one game up front.

The team are leading of the Top Division with 3 victories from three and a GD of plus nineteen.

Paul Barrow, 38, who plays on the flank for the opposition, came up against ex- Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa on the weekend - and had to explain his young boy who Emile Heskey was.

Figueroa has played at 2 World Cups for his country, in addition to playing in over 200 top-flight games.

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

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

"Even Emile [Heskey] came on and he's has over 60 English appearances.

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

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

"The opponents were all friendly, shaking our hands after the match - it was like playing a bunch of regular guys.

"Now we are eager for the return fixture."

'We'll Still Take the League'

The manager coaches the opposition veterans team, who secured the Top Tier championship last season, together with his co-manager.

"We went 1-0 ahead and had a

Timothy White
Timothy White

Lena Visser is a certified fitness coach and urban wellness advocate with over 10 years of experience in helping city dwellers lead healthier lives.