There was a time when Papiss Cissé was scoring wondergoals for Newcastle, Danny Drinkwater was lifting the Premier League title with Leicester and Stephen Ireland was running Manchester City’s midfield. So what are they doing playing for Wythenshawe Vets over-35s in the Cheshire Vets League Premier Division?
Emile Heskey, Maynor Figueroa, Joleon Lescott, Oumar Niasse, Nedum Onuoha, George Boyd and Jefferson Montero join the star-studded Sunday League side, which between them have 1,867 Premier League appearances, 389 international caps and 15 major honours.
Wythenshawe Vets’ former Premier League stars:
– George Boyd – 101 appearances, 9 goals
– Papiss Cisse – 117 appearances, 37 goals
– Emile Heskey – 516 appearances, 110 goals
– Stephen Ireland – 246 appearances, 19 goals
– Nedum Onuoha – 188 appearances, 4 goals
– Danny Drinkwater – 104 appearances, 4 goals
– Maynor Figueroa – 176 appearances, 4 goals
– Joleon Lescott – 288 appearances, 23 goals
– Oumar Niasse – 65 appearances, 12 goals
– Jefferson Montero – 66 appearances, 1 goal
The club has enjoyed back-to-back promotions and won 30 of 32 games last season. After two County Cup final defeats there was a desire to improve, and the arrival of top-flight names has taken them to new heights. Stephen Ireland, the clever midfielder who played for Aston Villa, Newcastle and Stoke, was invited by friend and Wythenshawe player Blake Norton during pre-season. “Ever since then I’ve never looked back,” he told Sky Sports after Wythenshawe’s latest demolition, a 13-0 victory over South Liverpool.
Cissé, who scored 37 Premier League goals for Newcastle, missed a first-half penalty but smiled throughout and scored seven after half-time. “We have to have fun, keep fit and enjoy football because this is our life,” he said. He also hit a double hat-trick against Collegiate Old Boys last month.
Ireland opened the scoring against South Liverpool with an instinctive volley, and George Boyd also found the net. “We’re all retired and it’s nice to get together to continue to play football, keep fit and also from the mental health side of things,” Ireland said. “A lot of lads can feel a bit stranded and alone when they come out of football. We all live in the same area so help each other.”
The club has grown through social media, attracting several hundred spectators to Hollyhedge Park. Wythenshawe have been ruthless in the league, winning 6-2, 10-1, 7-1 and 5-2 so far. “I can’t fault any of them,” said manager Kieran Megram.
Danny Drinkwater added: “We’re not here to take advantage of any standard around, this is purely to get some enjoyment and fitness. Hopefully the opposition see the positives in it as well.” The 35-year-old, who played a key role in Leicester’s 2016 title, saw his professional career tail off after a big move to Chelsea and brief spells afterwards. His final professional matches came in 2022 for Reading; playing for Wythenshawe has helped revive his love of the game. “I don’t think you can get much more enjoyment out of football than stuff like this,” he said. “You can’t compare it – you get a bacon sarnie and a beer afterwards, it’s great.”
