There was a time when Papiss Cisse was scoring wondergoals for Newcastle, when Danny Drinkwater was lifting the Premier League title with Leicester and when Stephen Eire was working Manchester Metropolis’s midfield.
So what are they doing taking part in for Wythenshawe Vets over-35s within the Cheshire Vets League Premier Division?
Emile Heskey, Maynor Figueroa, Joleon Lescott, Oumar Niasse, Nedum Onuoha, George Boyd and Jefferson Montero are additionally a part of the star-studded Sunday League group that has 1,867 Premier League appearances, 389 worldwide caps and 15 main honours between them.
Wythenshawe Vets have gained back-to-back promotions and earned 30 wins from 32 video games final season, however after two County Cup last defeats there was a need to change into even higher and a sprinkling of top-flight expertise has lifted them to new heights.
Eire, a intelligent midfielder that performed for Aston Villa, Newcastle and Stoke in Premier League, is pals with Wythenshawe participant Blake Norton and was invited down in pre-season.
“Ever since then I’ve never looked back,” he advised Sky Sports activities at Wythenshawe’s newest demolition job, a 13-0 victory over South Liverpool final weekend.
Cisse, who scored 37 objectives in 117 top-flight appearances for Newcastle, missed a penalty within the first half however performed with a smile on his face all through earlier than scoring seven after half time.
“We have to have fun, keep fit and enjoy football because this is our life,” mentioned Cisse, who additionally hit a double hat-trick towards Collegiate Outdated Boys final month.
Eire had opened the scoring towards South Liverpool with an instinctive volley whereas George Boyd, a former winger with the likes of Burnley, Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday, additionally netted.
“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,” mentioned Eire.
“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 membership has grown enormously by the ability of social media, attracting a number of hundred spectators to Hollyhedge Park.
Wythenshawe are, unsurprisingly, displaying no mercy successful 6-2, 10-1, 7-1 and 5-2 within the league already. “I can’t fault any of them,” beams supervisor Kieran Megram.
Premier League title winner Danny Drinkwater taking part in for Wythenshawe Vets
Drinkwater provides: “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 midfield performed a key position in Leicester’s iconic title victory in 2016. His type led to an England call-up and was adopted by a giant transfer to Chelsea, however he performed simply 23 occasions in 5 years and fell out of affection with soccer.
His last matches in skilled soccer got here in 2022 for then-Championship aspect Studying. Taking part in for Wythenshawe has revived his love for the sport.
“I don’t think you can get much more enjoyment out of football than stuff like this,” he mentioned.
“You can’t compare it – you get a bacon sarnie and a beer afterwards, it’s great.”
