Meet this Sunday Division Squad Featuring Over 1,800 English Top Division Appearances

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

What can you boost a outstanding experienced squad who have claimed back-to-back championships, including a double triumph with thirty wins from 32 games?

Sign a raft of former professionals that have performed at the highest level of club and international football as you pursue more silverware.

A Greater Manchester side has an amateur vets team with nine ex- top-flight footballers in their current roster.

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

The team Vets Over 35s are located in south the city and play in the Cheshire-based Vets League Top Tier.

The lineup this campaign boasts 9 former Premier League players, with a total nearly 1,800 Premier League appearances.

The high-profile team also boasts over 220 top division scores and over 320 international appearances.

The squad include Papiss Cisse, who netted thirty-seven scores in over 100 games for Newcastle United after signing for them for nine million pounds from German league club Freiburg in January 2012.

He made his debut for the team in their most recent home-field game versus reigning champions Collegiate Old Boys and netted every one of the six goals in a 6-2 win - featuring a 32-minute opening period hat-trick.

Wythenshawe's roster for this campaign also features ex- pros such as English and Anfield striker Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley midfielder George Boyd, Everton forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League championship victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

In total, the ex- Premier League footballers have secured fifteen significant trophies and moved for total transfer fees of approximately £123 million.

Well-Known Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won 6 Republic of Ireland caps, netting 4 scores

Stephen Ireland started turning out for the side during preseason this season through close friend and present Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland player then asked additional ex-pros, who all play in a weekly nine-a-side game, to join in.

Ex- Senegalese forward Oumar Niasse, who netted 12 scores in 65 top-flight games for Everton and even now goes to their home games, also had his debut versus the opposition - who are based in Liverpool and use an Blue training kit as their strip.

Oumar Niasse playing for Everton
Oumar Niasse played for Everton between 2016 and 2020

"A mate Stephen Ireland said 'come and play, it's a laugh'," said the striker.

"After that he told me we were facing a side from the city and the shock I had when I noticed them wearing Blue shirts - I say this is wrong for me!

"If you still enjoy football and you know you can still play, anywhere you can kick a ball, what are you going to do?

"The fans who turn up and see are pleased and to make a moment if they see us competing there and to pose us queries - it's more like the pleasure of us getting a place we can play, with organisation of course."

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

"It's a little different but then, I enjoy running and just move forward - I'm not defending that much," he said.

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

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Former Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa is turning out for the team

'Surreal Experience

In addition to Cisse's six scores on his first game, Stephen Ireland has netted eight in three games for Wythenshawe, while Boyd hit five on his debut match and Lescott, a defender by position, scored a triple in one match up front.

Wythenshawe are leading of the Premier Division with 3 victories from three and a GD of +19.

Paul Barrow, 38, who plays on the flank for Collegiate OB, faced former Latics full-back Maynor Figueroa on Sunday - and had to tell his nine-year-old son who Emile Heskey was.

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

"The news was going round like wildfire they had these former top-flight stars," said Barrow.

"I think 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 competed well for a good twenty minutes but then we had a man sent off and it was tough.

"Our group really have not stopped chatting about it - I was calling my mum and sibling on the way home.

"They were all really nice, shaking our hands after the match - it was like facing a group of normal fellas.

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

'We'll Still Take the Title'

Andy Kirby manages the Collegiate veterans side, who secured the Top Tier title last season, along with his co-manager.

"We went one-nil up and had a

Carolyn Brewer
Carolyn Brewer

Maya Rodriguez is a business strategist with over 10 years of experience in digital transformation, helping companies innovate and grow in competitive markets.