Discover this Weekend League Squad Boasting Nearly Two Thousand Premier League Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The bench for Wythenshawe Veterans during a six-two triumph against their opponents on October 19th (left to right) - Oumar Niasse, Papiss Cisse, a teammate, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How can you improve a excellent experienced team that have claimed consecutive titles, including a double triumph with 30 victories from 32 matches?

Recruit a group of ex- professionals that have performed at the highest level of club football and international soccer as you aim for further trophies.

One Greater Manchester team fields an non-professional vets squad with nine former top-flight players in their active roster.

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

Wythenshawe Vets Over-35s are situated in southern the city and play in the Cheshire Veterans League Premier Tier.

Their lineup this season features nine former Premier League footballers, with a combined nearly 1,800 Premier League appearances.

This high-profile team also includes 222 Premier League scores and over 320 international appearances.

The squad feature Papiss Cisse, who netted thirty-seven scores in over 100 games for Newcastle United after signing for them for £9m from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg in 2012.

Cisse had his first appearance for the team in their last home match against defending champions Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six scores in a six-two win - featuring a 32-minute opening period triple.

Wythenshawe's roster for this season also includes former pros such as English and Anfield striker Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley FC winger George Boyd, Toffees forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight championship winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the ex- Premier League players have secured 15 big honors and moved for combined transfer sums of around £123 million.

Household Figures and Global Stars

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

Stephen Ireland began turning out for the team in pre-season this summer through close friend and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland midfielder then invited additional ex-pros, who all compete in a midweek nine-a-side game, to join in.

Former Senegalese striker Niasse, who netted twelve scores in sixty-five top-flight matches for Everton and even now goes to their matches at Goodison Park, also had his debut against Collegiate OB - who are located in Liverpool and wear an Blue warm-up gear as their uniform.

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

"My friend Stephen told me 'join and have a game, it's a laugh'," said the striker.

"After that he informed me we were playing a team from Liverpool and the surprise I had when I saw them sporting Everton kits - I say this is strange for me!

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

"Those fans who come and watch are happy and to make someone's moment if they see us playing there and to ask us queries - it's really about the joy of us getting a place we can play, with organisation of course."

Such is the squad depth at Wythenshawe, Niasse made his debut at defender.

"That's a bit unusual but then, I love running and just go forward - I'm not defending that much," he added.

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

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

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

'Surreal Feeling

In addition to the forward's six scores on debut, Stephen Ireland has netted 8 in 3 games for the side, while George Boyd scored five on his debut match and Lescott, a centre-half by trade, scored a triple in one match up front.

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

One opponent, thirty-eight, who features on the wing for the opposition, came up against former Latics full-back Figueroa on the weekend - and had to tell his nine-year-old son who Emile Heskey was.

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

"It was going round like a rumor they had these former top-flight stars," remarked the player.

"I felt I was a bit starstruck facing Figueroa to be honest.

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

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

"Our group literally have not stopped talking about it - I was phoning my mum and brother on the journey home.

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

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

'We'll Still Take the League'

The manager manages the opposition veterans side, who secured the Top Tier championship last season, together with Paul Maguire.

"Our team went 1-0 ahead and had a

Shaun Castro
Shaun Castro

Beekeeping enthusiast with over a decade of experience in sustainable hive management and honey production.