Wythenshawe Vets, a truly extraordinary amateur football team, has captured hearts and minds everywhere. They’ve recently completed a pair of successive promotions and followed that up with a truly impressive season in 19/20. The team’s record is an impressive 30 wins out of 32 matches, an exhilarating combination of talent and hard work. The roster features a wealth of experience. Collectively, the stars have 1,867 Premier League appearances and 389 international caps between them, making them one of the most accomplished amateur sides in the country.
Our chosen players are led by Emile Heskey, who has played 516 games and scored 110 goals in his 20-year career. Joleon Lescott follows with 288 appearances and 23 goals, while Stephen Ireland has contributed with 246 appearances and 19 goals. Papiss Cisse, another crucial player, has made 117 appearances and scored 37 times.
Only winger George Boyd, with 101 appearances and 9 goals, has as many as double-digit appearances. At the same time, Nedum Onuoha left an impression, racking up 188 appearances and scoring 4 goals. Tied for the second overall leads is Maynor Figueroa with 176 appearances and 4 goals. The depth chart includes Oumar Niasse, who has 65 appearances and 12 goals to his name. Jefferson Montero, 66 appearances, 1 goal and Danny Drinkwater, 104 appearances, 4 goals.
For all their on-field success, the players say community and having fun are the keys to their football experience.
“We have to have fun, keep fit and enjoy football because this is our life,” said Papiss Cisse.
This sentiment resonates deeply among the players. Stephen Ireland noted the mental health benefits of continuing to play the sport they love.
“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,” he remarked.
Ireland further elaborated on the sense of community within the team, stating:
“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.”
As Danny Drinkwater put it, it’s not as if they’re not pros anymore. Their priority shifted to just having fun with the game and playing rather than competing.
“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 camaraderie goes outside the pitch too. Using paint, players find an environment filled with camaraderie, sportsmanship, and FUN!
“I don’t think you can get much more enjoyment out of football than stuff like this,” Ireland commented. “You can’t compare it – you get a bacon sarnie and a beer afterwards, it’s great.”
Leave a Reply