Introduce this Sunday Division Squad With Over 1,800 English Top Division Games

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

How can you improve a outstanding experienced side that have won consecutive championships, including a double triumph with thirty wins from 32 matches?

Recruit a collection of ex- professionals who have competed at the elite tier of club and international soccer as you target more silverware.

A Manchester team fields an amateur vets team with nine ex- top-flight players in their active lineup.

222 Premier League Goals, Three Hundred Twenty-Five International Caps

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

Their lineup this campaign includes 9 former Premier League players, with a combined over 1,800 top-flight matches.

The elite roster also boasts 222 Premier League scores and 325 international caps.

The squad include Papiss Cisse, who netted thirty-seven scores in over 100 appearances for his former club after signing for them for £9m from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg in January 2012.

He had his debut for the team in their most recent home-field match versus defending title holders their rivals and scored every one of the six goals in a 6-2 victory - featuring a 32-minute opening period hat-trick.

The squad for this campaign also includes former professionals such as English and Liverpool forward Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley midfielder George Boyd, Everton striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa, City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League championship winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Collectively, the ex- Premier League footballers have secured fifteen significant trophies and transferred for combined transfer sums of around £123 million.

Famous Figures and Global Stars

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

Ireland began turning out for the team during preseason this summer through good friend and present Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland midfielder then asked additional ex-pros, who all play in a midweek nine-a-side game, to participate.

Former Senegalese forward Niasse, who netted 12 scores in 65 Premier League games for Everton and even now attends their home games, also made his first appearance versus Collegiate OB - who are located in the city and use an Blue training kit 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 a laugh'," said the striker.

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

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

"Those fans who turn up and see are happy and to make someone's day if they watch us competing there and to pose us questions - it's really about the pleasure of us getting a place we can play, with structure of course."

Such is the strength in depth at the club, Niasse made his debut at defender.

"It's a bit unusual but then, I enjoy sprinting and just go inside - I'm not defending that much," he added.

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

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

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

'Surreal Feeling

In addition to Cisse's 6 goals on his first game, Ireland has netted 8 in 3 games for the side, while Boyd hit 5 on his first appearance and Joleon Lescott, a defender by trade, scored a triple in one game up front.

Wythenshawe are top of the Top Division with 3 wins from 3 and a GD of +19.

One opponent, thirty-eight, who features on the wing for the opposition, came up against former Latics defender Figueroa on Sunday - and had to explain his young boy who Heskey was.

Figueroa has appeared at 2 global tournaments for Honduras, in addition to featuring in more than two hundred Premier League matches.

"It was spreading like wildfire they had these former top-flight players," said the player.

"I think I was a little awestruck playing against him to be honest.

"Even Heskey came on and he's has over 60 England appearances.

"Our side competed well for a good 20 minutes but then we had a player sent off and it was tough.

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

"The opponents were all friendly, shaking our hands after the match - it was like facing a group of normal fellas.

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

We Will Still Win the League'

Andy Kirby manages the opposition veterans side, who secured the Premier Tier championship last season, together with his co-manager.

"We went one-nil ahead and had a

Kara Davis
Kara Davis

A seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK online casinos and slot machine trends.