Introduce the Sunday League Club Featuring Over 1,800 English Top Division Appearances

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

How can you boost a excellent experienced side that have secured back-to-back championships, featuring a double triumph boasting 30 victories from thirty-two matches?

Bring in a raft of ex- pro players that have competed at the top level of club and global soccer as you target further trophies.

A Manchester club fields an amateur veterans team with nine former Premier League footballers in their current roster.

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

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

The squad list this season features nine ex- Premier League players, with a combined 1,801 top-flight matches.

This high-profile squad also boasts 222 top division scores and over 320 global appearances.

The squad feature Papiss Cisse, who scored thirty-seven scores in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after joining them for nine million pounds from Bundesliga side Freiburg in January 2012.

He made his debut for Wythenshawe in their most recent home game versus defending title holders their rivals and netted every one of the six scores in a 6-2 victory - featuring a half-hour opening period triple.

Wythenshawe's team for this campaign also features ex- professionals such as English and Anfield striker Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley FC winger George Boyd, Everton forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa, City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League title victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the ex- top-flight footballers have won 15 big honors and moved for total transfer sums of around £123m.

Household Names and International Players

Stephen Ireland in action
He won 6 Republic of Ireland caps, scoring 4 goals

Ireland started turning out for the team during pre-season this season through close friend and present Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland player then asked additional former professionals, who all compete in a weekly small-sided match, to join in.

Ex- Senegal forward Niasse, who netted 12 scores in 65 top-flight games for Everton and still goes to their home games, also made his first appearance against Collegiate OB - who are based in the city and wear an Blue training kit as their strip.

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

"My friend Stephen Ireland said 'come and play, it's enjoyable'," commented Niasse.

"After that he told me we were playing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I noticed them wearing Everton shirts - I say this is wrong for me!

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

"Those spectators who turn up and see are pleased and to make a day if they watch us playing there and to ask us questions - it's more like the pleasure of us getting somewhere we can play, with structure of course."

Such is the squad depth at the club, he made his first game at defender.

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

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

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

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

Dreamlike' Scenario

In addition to Cisse's 6 scores on debut, Ireland has netted eight in 3 appearances for the side, while Boyd hit 5 on his debut appearance and Lescott, a centre-half by trade, scored a hat-trick in one game up front.

Wythenshawe are leading of the Top Tier with 3 wins from 3 and a goal difference of +19.

Paul Barrow, 38, who features on the wing for Collegiate OB, came up against ex- Latics defender Figueroa on Sunday - and had to explain his young son who Heskey was.

He has appeared at two World Cups for Honduras, in addition to playing in over 200 Premier League games.

"It was going round like wildfire they had all these ex-Premier League stars," remarked the player.

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

"Even Heskey came on and he's got 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 literally have not stopped talking about it - I was phoning my mum and brother on the way home.

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

"Now we are eager for the second match."

'We'll Still Win the Title'

Andy Kirby manages the Collegiate veterans side, who secured the Premier Tier title the previous campaign, together with his co-manager.

"Our team scored 1-0 up and had a

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Martin Campbell

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