Discover the Weekend Division Team With Over 1,800 Premier League Matches

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This bench for the team Veterans during a 6-2 triumph versus Collegiate Old Boys on October 19th (left to right) - Oumar Niasse, Papiss Cisse, a teammate, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How can you boost a outstanding veteran side that have secured consecutive championships, featuring a league-cup double with 30 wins from thirty-two games?

Bring in a collection of former professionals that have performed at the highest level of club football and global soccer as you aim for further honors.

One Greater Manchester side boasts an non-professional vets squad with 9 former Premier League players in their present squad.

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

Wythenshawe Veterans Over 35s are based in south Manchester and compete in the Cheshire Veterans League Top Tier.

Their roster this campaign boasts 9 ex- top-flight players, with a combined 1,801 top-flight appearances.

This high-profile team also boasts 222 Premier League scores and over 320 international caps.

They feature Papiss Cisse, who scored 37 scores in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after moving to them for nine million pounds from German league side SC Freiburg in January 2012.

Cisse had his debut for Wythenshawe in their most recent home-field game against reigning champions Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six goals in a 6-2 victory - including a 32-minute opening period triple.

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

Together, the ex- Premier League players have won fifteen significant honors and moved for total transfer sums of approximately £123m.

Well-Known Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
He won six Irish caps, scoring 4 scores

Ireland started playing for the side during pre-season this season through close friend and current team player Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland midfielder then invited additional ex-pros, who all compete in a weekly nine-a-side match, to participate.

Ex- Senegal forward Oumar Niasse, who netted twelve scores in 65 Premier League matches for Everton and still attends their matches at Goodison Park, also made his first appearance versus Collegiate OB - who are based in Liverpool and wear an Everton warm-up gear as their uniform.

Oumar Niasse playing for Everton
He featured for Everton from 2016 and 2020

"A mate Stephen said 'join and have a game, it's a laugh'," commented the striker.

"Then he told me we were playing a team from Liverpool and the surprise I had when I saw them sporting Everton kits - I say this is wrong for me!

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

"The fans who turn up and see are happy and to give a day if they watch us playing there and to ask us questions - it's really about the joy of us getting somewhere we can play, with structure of course."

So great is the strength in depth at the club, Niasse had his debut at full-back.

"It's a little different but then, I love running and just move forward - I'm not staying back that much," he added.

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

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

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

Unreal Experience

In addition to Cisse's six goals on his first game, Ireland has scored 8 in three appearances for the side, while George Boyd scored five on his debut appearance and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by position, notched a triple in one game as a striker.

The team are leading of the Premier Division with 3 wins from 3 and a goal difference of +19.

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

Figueroa has appeared at two World Cups for his country, in as well as playing in more than 200 Premier League matches.

"The news was spreading like wildfire they had all these ex-Premier League stars," remarked Barrow.

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

"Even Heskey came on and he's got over 60 England caps.

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

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

"They were all dead sound, shaking our hands after the match - it was like facing a bunch of normal guys.

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

'We'll Still Take the Title'

Andy Kirby manages the Collegiate vets side, who won the Premier Division championship last season, along with Paul Maguire.

"Our team scored 1-0 up and had a

Trevor Ramos
Trevor Ramos

A seasoned travel writer with a passion for uncovering hidden luxury destinations and sharing exclusive lifestyle tips.