Introduce the Weekend League Squad With 1,800 English Top Division Appearances

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

What can you enhance a outstanding experienced side that have secured consecutive championships, including a double triumph with 30 victories from 32 matches?

Bring in a collection of former professionals who have played at the elite level of club and global football as you aim for additional silverware.

A Greater Manchester team boasts an non-professional vets squad with 9 former Premier League players in their active squad.

222 Top Division Scores, Three Hundred Twenty-Five International Caps

The team Veterans Over 35s are situated in southern Manchester and play in the Cheshire Vets Division Premier Division.

The roster this campaign includes nine ex- Premier League footballers, with a combined over 1,800 elite games.

This high-profile roster also boasts over 220 top division goals and 325 international appearances.

They include one forward, who netted 37 goals in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after signing for them for nine million pounds from German league side SC Freiburg in January 2012.

Cisse made his debut for Wythenshawe in their most recent home-field match against defending title holders their rivals and scored every one of the six scores in a six-two victory - including a 32-minute first-half triple.

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

Collectively, the former top-flight players have won 15 big trophies and moved for combined transfer sums of approximately £123m.

Well-Known Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won six Irish appearances, netting 4 scores

Ireland began playing for the side during preseason this season through close mate and present Wythenshawe teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland player then asked additional former professionals, who all play in a weekly small-sided game, to participate.

Former Senegal forward Oumar Niasse, who netted twelve scores in 65 top-flight games for the Toffees and even now attends their matches at Goodison Park, also made his first appearance versus the opposition - who are based in the city and wear an Blue training kit as their uniform.

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

"A mate Stephen Ireland said 'join and have a game, it's good fun'," commented Niasse.

"Then he informed me we were playing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I noticed them wearing Everton kits - I thought this is wrong for me!

"If you still love the game and you feel you can still do it, anywhere you can kick a ball, what are you going to do?

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

Such is the squad depth at the club, Niasse made his first game at full-back.

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

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

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

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

Dreamlike' Feeling

In addition to Cisse's 6 scores on his first game, Ireland has scored eight in 3 games for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd scored five on his debut appearance and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by position, notched a triple in one game up front.

Wythenshawe are top of the Premier Tier with 3 wins from three and a goal difference of +19.

One opponent, 38, who plays on the flank for the opposition, faced former Latics defender Maynor Figueroa on Sunday - and had to explain his nine-year-old son who Emile Heskey was.

Figueroa has played at 2 global tournaments for his country, in addition to playing in over two hundred top-flight matches.

"The news was going round like wildfire they had all these former top-flight players," remarked Barrow.

"I think I was a bit awestruck facing him to be honest.

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

"We competed well for a solid twenty minutes but then we had a player sent off and it was hard.

"We literally haven't stopped talking about it - I was calling my mother and brother on the way home.

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

"Now we are eager for the second fixture."

'We'll Still Win the League'

Andy Kirby coaches the Collegiate vets side, who secured the Premier Tier title last season, along with Paul Maguire.

"Our team went one-nil up and had a

Joseph Rivera
Joseph Rivera

Elara is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that connect communities across the globe.