Discover the Sunday League Team Boasting 1,800 Top-Flight Matches

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The bench for the team Vets in a 6-2 triumph against Collegiate Old Boys on October 19th (left to right) - one player, Papiss Cisse, a teammate, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How can you boost a stellar experienced team that have secured consecutive championships, including a double triumph with thirty wins from 32 matches?

Recruit a collection of ex- professionals who have competed at the highest tier of club football and global soccer as you aim for additional trophies.

One Manchester club has an non-professional vets squad with nine ex- top-flight players in their current squad.

222 Premier League Scores, Three Hundred Twenty-Five Global Caps

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

Their squad list this season boasts 9 former Premier League footballers, with a total over 1,800 Premier League matches.

The star-studded squad also includes 222 Premier League goals and over 320 global appearances.

The squad include one forward, who netted 37 scores in over 100 games for Newcastle United after moving to them for £9m from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg in January 2012.

Cisse had his first appearance for the team in their last home match against reigning champions Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six goals in a six-two victory - featuring a half-hour first-half triple.

Wythenshawe's roster for this season also features ex- pros such as English and Anfield forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley winger George Boyd, Everton forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight title winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

In total, the ex- top-flight players have claimed 15 major trophies and moved for total transfer sums of around £123m.

Famous Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
He earned 6 Republic of Ireland caps, netting 4 goals

Ireland began turning out for the team during pre-season this season through close mate and current team player Blake Norton, and the former Irish midfielder then asked additional former professionals, who all play in a midweek small-sided game, to join in.

Former Senegalese striker Oumar Niasse, who scored 12 scores in 65 top-flight matches for Everton and even now goes to their home games, also made his debut against Collegiate OB - who are located in the city and use an Blue warm-up gear as their strip.

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

"A mate Stephen said 'come and play, it's a laugh'," said Niasse.

"Then he informed me we were facing a side from Liverpool and the surprise I had when I noticed them sporting Blue kits - I thought this is strange for me!

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

"The fans who come and watch are pleased and to give a moment if they see us playing there and to pose us questions - it's really about the joy of us getting somewhere we can enjoy football, with organisation of course."

Such is the strength in depth at the club, he made his first game at full-back.

"It's a little different but then, I love sprinting and just move inside - I'm not defending that much," he added.

"I tell my centre-back 'I'm not hanging back' and that I'm just going to continue running.

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Former Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa is turning out for Wythenshawe

Unreal Feeling

In addition to the forward's 6 goals on debut, Stephen Ireland has scored 8 in three games for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd hit 5 on his first match and Joleon Lescott, a defender by trade, notched a hat-trick in one game as a striker.

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

Paul Barrow, 38, who features on the flank for the opposition, came up against ex- Wigan defender Figueroa on Sunday - and had to explain his young boy who Emile Heskey was.

He has appeared at two World Cups for Honduras, in addition to featuring in over 200 Premier League games.

"The news was spreading like wildfire they had all these former top-flight players," remarked the player.

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

"Also Heskey got on and he's got 60-odd English caps.

"We held our own for a good twenty mins but then we had a player sent off and it was tough.

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

"The opponents were all friendly, shaking our hands after the match - it was like playing a bunch of regular guys.

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

We Will Still Take the League'

Andy Kirby coaches the opposition veterans team, who secured the Top Division title last season, along with Paul Maguire.

"Our team went one-nil up and had a

Lori Ward
Lori Ward

Elara is a seasoned analyst with a passion for uncovering global trends and sharing actionable insights through engaging storytelling.