Introduce this Sunday League Team Boasting Over 1,800 Premier League Matches

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
This substitutes for Wythenshawe Veterans during a six-two win versus Collegiate Old Boys on 19 October (left to right) - Oumar Niasse, Papiss Cisse, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

How can you enhance a stellar experienced side who have claimed back-to-back championships, including a double triumph with thirty wins from 32 games?

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

A Manchester side fields an non-professional veterans team with nine former top-flight players in their present roster.

Two Hundred Twenty-Two Top Division Goals, Three Hundred Twenty-Five International Caps

The team Vets Over-35s are located in south Manchester and play in the Cheshire Veterans League Top Tier.

The roster this season boasts nine ex- Premier League footballers, with a total nearly 1,800 elite matches.

The elite team also boasts 222 top division scores and 325 international caps.

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

Cisse had his debut for the team in their most recent home match against defending title holders their rivals and scored all six goals in a 6-2 win - including a half-hour first-half triple.

Wythenshawe's squad for this season also features ex- professionals such as England and Liverpool forward Emile Heskey, Hull City and Burnley winger George Boyd, Toffees forward Oumar Niasse, Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight championship victors Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

In total, the former Premier League footballers have claimed fifteen major trophies and transferred for total transfer fees of around £123 million.

Famous Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
He won six Republic of Ireland appearances, scoring four scores

Stephen Ireland started turning out for the side in pre-season this summer through close friend and current team teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Irish midfielder then asked additional former professionals, who all compete in a weekly small-sided match, to participate.

Ex- Senegal striker Niasse, who netted 12 goals in sixty-five Premier League games for Everton and still goes to their home games, also made his debut versus Collegiate OB - who are located in the city and wear an Everton warm-up gear as their strip.

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

"A friend Stephen Ireland told me 'join and have a game, it's enjoyable'," said Niasse.

"Then he told me we were playing a team from Liverpool and the shock I had when I noticed them sporting Blue shirts - I say this is wrong for me!

"If you still enjoy the game and you know you can still do it, wherever you can play, what are you going to do?

"Those spectators who come and see are pleased and to give someone's day if they see us playing there and to pose us questions - it's more like the joy of us getting somewhere we can enjoy football, with organisation of course."

So great is the bench strength at Wythenshawe, Niasse had his debut at full-back.

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

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

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

Maynor Figueroa in action
Ex- Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa is turning out for Wythenshawe

Dreamlike' Experience

In addition to Cisse's six scores on debut, Stephen Ireland has netted 8 in 3 games for the side, while Boyd hit 5 on his debut match and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by trade, notched a hat-trick in one game up front.

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

One opponent, 38, who plays on the wing for the opposition, came up against ex- Latics defender Figueroa on the weekend - and had to tell his young boy who Emile Heskey was.

Figueroa has played at 2 global tournaments for Honduras, in addition to featuring in more than 200 Premier League games.

"It was spreading like wildfire they had these ex-Premier League stars," remarked the player.

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

"Even Emile [Heskey] came on and he's got 60-odd English appearances.

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

"Our group literally haven't ceased talking about it - I was calling my mum and brother on the journey home.

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

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

'We'll Still Take the League'

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

"Our team scored 1-0 up and had a

Lindsey Martinez
Lindsey Martinez

A seasoned business strategist with over 15 years in UK venture capital, specializing in scaling startups and market analysis.

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