Discover the Weekend League Club Boasting Over 1,800 Top-Flight Appearances

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This bench for Wythenshawe Veterans during a six-two victory versus Collegiate Old Boys 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 enhance a stellar veteran squad that have secured consecutive titles, featuring a double triumph boasting 30 victories from 32 matches?

Bring in a collection of ex- professionals that have competed at the top level of club and global football as you target further honors.

One Manchester club boasts an non-professional vets team with nine former top-flight footballers in their active squad.

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

Wythenshawe Vets Over-35s are based in south the city and play in the Cheshire-based Veterans Division Top Tier.

The lineup this season boasts 9 former Premier League footballers, with a combined 1,801 top-flight games.

This star-studded squad also boasts over 220 Premier League scores and 325 international appearances.

The squad feature one forward, who notched 37 goals in 117 games for Newcastle United after joining them for nine million pounds from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg in 2012.

Cisse had his debut for the team in their last home match versus reigning title holders Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six goals in a six-two win - featuring a half-hour opening period triple.

The team for this season also includes ex- professionals such as England and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley FC winger George Boyd, Everton striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League championship victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Collectively, the ex- Premier League footballers have secured fifteen big honors and moved for total transfer fees of around £123m.

Famous Figures and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland earned six Republic of Ireland appearances, scoring 4 goals

Stephen Ireland started playing for the side in preseason this summer through close mate and current team player Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland player then asked additional ex-pros, who all compete in a weekly nine-a-side game, to participate.

Former Senegal striker Oumar Niasse, who scored twelve scores in 65 Premier League games for the Toffees and even now goes to their matches at Goodison Park, also made his debut against Collegiate OB - who are located in the city and use an Blue training kit as their strip.

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

"A mate Stephen Ireland said 'come and play, it's good fun'," commented Niasse.

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

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

"Those fans who come and watch are pleased and to give someone's moment if they see us competing there and to ask us questions - it's more like the pleasure of us getting a place we can play, with structure of course."

Such is the bench strength at Wythenshawe, Niasse made his debut at defender.

"It's a bit unusual but then, I love running and just move forward - I'm not defending that much," he added.

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

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Former Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa is playing for the team

Dreamlike' Experience

Along with Cisse's six scores on his first game, Stephen Ireland has scored 8 in 3 games for the side, while George Boyd scored 5 on his debut match and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by position, notched a triple in one match as a striker.

The team are top of the Top Division with 3 victories from three and a goal difference of plus nineteen.

One opponent, 38, who features on the flank for Collegiate OB, came up against former Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa on the weekend - and had to explain his young son who Emile Heskey was.

He has played at two World Cups for Honduras, in addition to playing in over 200 Premier League matches.

"The news was spreading like wildfire they had these ex-Premier League players," remarked the player.

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

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

"Our side held our own for a solid 20 minutes but then we had a player sent off and it was hard.

"Our group literally have not stopped talking about it - I was calling my mother and brother on the journey home.

"The opponents were all dead sound, shaking our hands after the game - it was like facing a group of regular guys.

"Now we are eager for the second match."

'We'll Still Take the Title'

The manager manages the Collegiate veterans team, who won the Premier Tier title last season, together with Paul Maguire.

"Our team scored 1-0 ahead and had a

Mrs. Kimberly Christian
Mrs. Kimberly Christian

Klara ist eine leidenschaftliche Autorin mit Hintergrund in Pädagogik, die es liebt, komplexe Themen verständlich zu vermitteln.

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