Discover this Sunday League Squad Boasting Over 1,800 Premier League Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This bench for the team Veterans in a 6-2 triumph versus their opponents on October 19th (from left to right) - Oumar Niasse, another, a teammate, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

What can you boost a stellar experienced squad that have secured back-to-back championships, featuring a league-cup double boasting 30 wins from 32 matches?

Sign a raft of former pro players who have competed at the highest level of club and international soccer as you aim for additional trophies.

One Greater Manchester club boasts an non-professional veterans squad with 9 former top-flight players in their current squad.

222 Premier League Scores, 325 International Caps

Wythenshawe Veterans Over 35s are situated in south the city and compete in the Cheshire Vets League Premier Tier.

Their lineup this season boasts nine former Premier League footballers, with a collective 1,801 top-flight matches.

This high-profile team also boasts over 220 Premier League scores and over 320 international appearances.

The squad feature Papiss Cisse, who notched 37 scores in 117 games for Newcastle United after signing for them for £9m from Bundesliga club Freiburg in 2012.

He made his debut for Wythenshawe in their most recent home-field game against reigning title holders their rivals and scored all six scores in a six-two victory - featuring a half-hour first-half hat-trick.

The squad for this campaign also includes former pros such as English and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley FC midfielder George Boyd, Everton forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League championship victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

In total, the former top-flight footballers have claimed 15 big honors and transferred for combined transfer sums of about £123 million.

Household Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
He won 6 Irish appearances, netting four goals

Ireland began playing for the side in preseason this summer through good friend and current Wythenshawe teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Irish midfielder then asked additional ex-pros, who all play in a midweek small-sided game, to join in.

Ex- Senegalese striker Niasse, who netted 12 scores in sixty-five top-flight matches for the Toffees and even now goes to their home games, also had his debut versus the opposition - who are located in Liverpool and use an Everton warm-up gear as their strip.

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

"My mate Stephen told me 'come and have a game, it's good fun'," said the striker.

"After that he told me we were playing a side from the city and the shock I had when I saw them wearing Everton shirts - I thought this is strange for me!

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

"Those spectators who come and watch are pleased and to make someone's day if they see us playing there and to pose us questions - it's more like the pleasure of us having a place we can enjoy football, with structure of course."

Such is the bench strength at the club, he had his first game at full-back.

"It's a bit unusual but then, I love running 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.

"The movement is what I'm looking for. It's enjoyable."

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

'Surreal Scenario

In addition to Cisse's six goals on debut, Stephen Ireland has netted 8 in 3 appearances for the side, while Boyd hit 5 on his first match and Joleon Lescott, a defender by trade, scored a hat-trick in one game up front.

The team are top of the Premier Division with 3 victories from 3 and a GD of plus nineteen.

One opponent, 38, who features on the wing for Collegiate OB, faced ex- Latics defender Maynor Figueroa on Sunday - and had to explain his young boy who Heskey was.

He has played at 2 global tournaments for Honduras, in addition to featuring in over 200 Premier League matches.

"It was spreading like a rumor they had these former top-flight stars," remarked Barrow.

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

"Also Heskey came on and he's got 60-odd England caps.

"We held our own for a solid twenty mins but then we had a player dismissed and it was hard.

"Our group really haven't stopped chatting about it - I was calling my mum and brother on the journey home.

"They were all really nice, shaking our hands after the game - it was like playing a bunch of normal guys.

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

'We'll Still Take the League'

The manager manages the Collegiate veterans side, who secured the Premier Division title the previous campaign, together with Paul Maguire.

"Our team went 1-0 ahead and had a

Barbara Contreras
Barbara Contreras

Elara is a seasoned hiker and environmental advocate who shares her passion for wilderness exploration and eco-friendly practices.