Introduce this Sunday Division Club Featuring 1,800 English Top Division Games

Wythenshawe Vets bench during a match
The bench for Wythenshawe Veterans during a six-two win versus Collegiate Old Boys on October 19th (from left to right) - one player, another, a teammate, Blake Norton, Maynor Figueroa, Dean Warburton and Emile Heskey

What can you enhance a outstanding veteran squad that have claimed back-to-back titles, including a league-cup double with 30 wins from 32 matches?

Bring in a group of ex- pro players that have performed at the top level of club football and global football as you pursue more honors.

A Manchester side boasts an non-professional veterans team with 9 ex- top-flight players in their active lineup.

Two Hundred Twenty-Two Premier League Goals, 325 International Appearances

Wythenshawe Veterans Over-35s are located in southern Manchester and compete in the Cheshire Vets League Premier Tier.

Their roster this campaign boasts 9 ex- top-flight footballers, with a collective 1,801 top-flight games.

This elite squad also boasts 222 top division scores and over 320 international caps.

They feature one forward, who scored 37 scores in over 100 games for his former club after moving to them for £9m from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg in January 2012.

He made his first appearance for Wythenshawe in their last home match versus defending champions Collegiate Old Boys and netted all six scores in a 6-2 victory - including a half-hour opening period hat-trick.

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

In total, the ex- top-flight footballers have secured fifteen major trophies and transferred for combined transfer sums of around £123 million.

Famous Names and Global Stars

Stephen Ireland in action
Stephen Ireland won 6 Republic of Ireland caps, netting four goals

Stephen Ireland began playing for the team in preseason this summer through close friend and present Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the ex- Republic of Ireland midfielder then asked other ex-pros, who all compete in a midweek small-sided game, to join in.

Ex- Senegal striker Oumar Niasse, who scored twelve goals in 65 Premier League games for the Toffees and still attends their home games, also made his debut versus the opposition - who are located in Liverpool and use an Blue training kit as their uniform.

Oumar Niasse playing for Everton
He featured for Everton between 2016 and 2020

"A friend Stephen told me 'come and have a game, it's a laugh'," said Niasse.

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

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

"The people who turn up and watch are happy and to make a day if they see us competing there and to ask us questions - it's more like the joy of us having a place we can enjoy football, with organisation of course."

So great is the bench strength at the club, Niasse had his debut at defender.

"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 defender 'I'm not hanging back' and that I'm just going to keep attacking.

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

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

Dreamlike' Scenario

Along with Cisse's six scores on debut, Stephen Ireland has scored eight in three appearances for the side, while George Boyd hit 5 on his first appearance and Joleon Lescott, a defender by trade, notched a hat-trick in one match up front.

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

Paul Barrow, 38, who features on the flank for Collegiate OB, came up against former Latics defender Figueroa on Sunday - and had to explain his young boy who Heskey was.

He has appeared at two World Cups for his country, in as well as featuring in more than 200 Premier League matches.

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

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

"Even Emile [Heskey] came on and he's has over 60 English appearances.

"We competed well for a good 20 mins but then we had a man sent off and it was hard.

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

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

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

'We'll Still Take the Title'

Andy Kirby coaches the opposition vets team, who secured the Premier Tier championship last season, together with Paul Maguire.

"Our team scored 1-0 ahead and had a

Samantha Elliott
Samantha Elliott

Professional gambler and casino reviewer with 12 years of experience, specializing in slot machine analytics and bonus optimization.

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