Meet the Weekend League Squad Boasting 1,800 Top-Flight Matches

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This substitutes for Wythenshawe Veterans in a 6-2 victory against Collegiate Old Boys 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 excellent experienced team that have won consecutive titles, including a double triumph boasting 30 victories from 32 games?

Sign a raft of former pro players that have played at the highest tier of club football and international football as you pursue more trophies.

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

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

The team Vets Over 35s are located in southern the city and play in the Cheshire-based Veterans Division Top Tier.

Their squad list this campaign includes nine former top-flight footballers, with a total nearly 1,800 top-flight games.

This high-profile team also includes over 220 top division scores and over 320 international appearances.

The squad include Papiss Cisse, who notched 37 goals in over 100 games for his former club after joining them for nine million pounds from German league side SC Freiburg in 2012.

Cisse had his first appearance for Wythenshawe in their last home game versus reigning champions Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six goals in a six-two victory - including a 32-minute first-half hat-trick.

The squad for this campaign also features ex- professionals such as England and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley midfielder George Boyd, Everton forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa, City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight championship winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

Together, the former Premier League footballers have won 15 significant honors and transferred for combined transfer fees of about £123m.

Famous Figures and Global Players

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won 6 Irish caps, netting four goals

Stephen Ireland started playing for the team during pre-season this summer through close mate and present team teammate Blake Norton, and the former Irish player then invited other ex-pros, who all play in a weekly small-sided game, to join in.

Former Senegal forward Niasse, who netted twelve goals in 65 Premier League games for Everton and still attends their matches at Goodison Park, also had his debut against Collegiate OB - who are located in Liverpool and use an Blue training kit as their uniform.

Oumar Niasse playing for Everton
He played for the club between 2016 and 2020

"My friend Stephen said 'join and have a game, it's good fun'," commented the striker.

"After that he informed me we were playing a side from the city and the surprise I had when I saw them wearing Blue shirts - I thought this is wrong for me!

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

"Those spectators who turn up and see are happy and to give a moment if they see us playing there and to ask us queries - it's really about the joy of us getting a place we can play, with organisation of course."

Such is the squad depth at Wythenshawe, Niasse made his debut at defender.

"That's a bit different but then, I enjoy running and just go inside - I'm not defending that much," he added.

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

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Ex- Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa is turning out for the team

'Surreal Experience

In addition to the forward's six goals on his first game, Stephen Ireland has netted eight in three appearances for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd hit 5 on his first appearance and Lescott, a centre-half by trade, scored a hat-trick in one match up front.

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

Paul Barrow, 38, who plays on the flank for the opposition, faced ex- Wigan defender Figueroa on the weekend - and had to explain his young son who Emile Heskey was.

Figueroa has played at 2 World Cups for his country, in as well as playing in over 200 top-flight matches.

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

"I felt I was a bit starstruck facing Figueroa to be honest.

"Even Emile [Heskey] got on and he's has over 60 England caps.

"We competed well for a solid 20 mins but then we had a man dismissed and it was tough.

"Our group literally haven't ceased talking about it - I was phoning my mother and sibling on the way home.

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

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

We Will Still Win the Title'

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

"We went 1-0 ahead and had a

Madison Evans
Madison Evans

A passionate writer and innovator sharing insights on creativity and technology to inspire others.