Meet this Weekend League Squad Boasting Over 1,800 Premier League Games

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The substitutes for the team Veterans in a six-two triumph versus their opponents on October 19th (from left to right) - one player, another, Marcel Edwards, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

What can you enhance a excellent veteran team that have claimed consecutive titles, including a league-cup double boasting thirty wins from thirty-two matches?

Recruit a group of former pro players that have competed at the highest tier of club and international soccer as you aim for additional silverware.

A Greater Manchester team boasts an non-professional vets squad with nine former top-flight footballers in their present lineup.

222 Premier League Scores, 325 Global Caps

Wythenshawe Vets Over 35s are situated in south Manchester and play in the Cheshire-based Veterans League Top Division.

Their squad list this season boasts 9 former Premier League players, with a collective over 1,800 elite matches.

This star-studded team also includes 222 Premier League scores and over 320 global appearances.

The squad include one forward, who notched thirty-seven scores in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after moving to them for £9m from Bundesliga side Freiburg in January 2012.

He had his first appearance for the team in their last home game against defending champions their rivals and netted all six goals in a six-two victory - including a 32-minute first-half triple.

The roster for this season also includes former professionals such as England and Liverpool forward Emile Heskey, Hull and Burnley FC winger George Boyd, Everton striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan Athletic full-back Maynor Figueroa, City pair Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and top-flight title winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater.

In total, the ex- Premier League players have won fifteen big trophies and transferred for total transfer sums of around £123m.

Famous Names and International Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won 6 Irish appearances, netting 4 scores

Ireland started playing for the side during preseason this season through close mate and present Wythenshawe teammate Blake Norton, and the ex- Irish player then invited other ex-pros, who all play in a midweek nine-a-side game, to join in.

Former Senegalese forward Niasse, who scored twelve scores in sixty-five Premier League matches for Everton and even now goes to their home games, also had 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 featured for the club from 2016 and 2020

"A mate Stephen Ireland said 'join and play, it's a laugh'," commented Niasse.

"After that he told me we were facing a side from Liverpool and the shock I had when I saw them sporting Blue shirts - I thought this is wrong for me!

"If you still enjoy football and you feel you can still do it, anywhere you can play, what are you going to do?

"Those fans who come and see are happy and to make a moment if they see us competing there and to pose 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 Wythenshawe, Niasse made his debut at defender.

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

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

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

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

Dreamlike' Scenario

In addition to the forward's six goals on debut, Stephen Ireland has netted 8 in 3 games for Wythenshawe, while George Boyd scored 5 on his debut match and Joleon Lescott, a centre-half by trade, scored a triple in one match up front.

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

Paul Barrow, 38, who plays on the flank for the opposition, faced former Latics defender Maynor Figueroa on Sunday - and had to tell his young boy who Heskey was.

He has played at 2 global tournaments for Honduras, in as well as playing in more than 200 Premier League games.

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

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

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

"We competed well for a solid 20 mins but then we had a player sent off and it was tough.

"We literally haven't ceased talking about it - I was phoning my mother and brother on the journey home.

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

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

We Will Still Take the Title'

The manager coaches the opposition veterans team, who secured the Top Tier championship last season, along with his co-manager.

"We went 1-0 up and had a

Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp

A tech analyst and business strategist with over a decade of experience in UK innovation ecosystems.