The phone of former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has been inundated with calls following the latest spectacular victory from his Wythenshawe Vets side, a Sunday League team boasting an unprecedented roster of former Premier League talent.
A Sunday League Team Like No Other
In their most recent Cheshire Vets Premier Division match, this collective of over-35 ex-professionals delivered a stunning 13-0 demolition of South Liverpool, maintaining their perfect and invincible start to the season. The midfield was orchestrated by former Chelsea and Leicester City champion Danny Drinkwater, while the defence was anchored by ex-Wigan Athletic stalwart Maynor Figuoroa. The attacking force was just as formidable, led by the duo of George Boyd and Papiss Cisse.
The team's incredible form has generated immense interest. "My phone hasn't stopped!" Ireland revealed. "I've got people going, 'how do I get involved, how do I sign up?'" He is, however, cautious about maintaining the team's unique balance, aiming to mix seasoned veterans with a few professionals each game.
Star Power and Surreal Scenes at Hollyhedge Park
The match day atmosphere was far from a typical Sunday League affair. A massive crowd of 800 spectators gathered at Hollyhedge Park to witness the likes of Cisse, who managed to steal the show despite a characteristically late arrival. Jokes flew as the former Newcastle United striker, once valued at £9 million, emerged from the changing rooms, with teammates quipping, "You owe us six goals now, Pap!"
That estimate proved conservative. After a missed penalty in the first half, Cisse proceeded to score seven second-half goals, following up on the six he netted on his debut. His performance left teammates and management in awe. "It is surreal," admitted manager Kieran Megran. "I was watching some of these when I was growing up."
Despite the one-sided scoreline, the match retained classic Sunday League charm. Defender Blake Norton shared a light-hearted moment with Cisse, saying, "As he was walking back, I said, 'Paps, was the traffic bad on the way here? You get stuck and turn up at half time!' He was brilliant." The scene was completed by a vaping linesman and the occasional mix-up with player numbers.
From WhatsApp Group to Sunday League Dominance
The origins of this all-star team lie in a WhatsApp group created by Norton and Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic. What began as casual Tuesday nine-a-side matches, where the losing team covered the pitch cost, has evolved into a serious Sunday League campaign. The roster now reads like a who's who of recent Premier League history, including Ravel Morrison, Joleon Lescott, Emile Heskey, and Jefferson Montero.
Danny Drinkwater, making his debut after securing international clearance, highlighted the unique enjoyment of the setup. "You walk in in your casuals and you're having a laugh and then you go out, do a 10-minute token warm-up and then you finish the match and have a pint," he said. "It's as good as it's going to get really."
There is no discount on the £15-a-month player subscriptions, and the competitive fire still burns brightly, even in training. Norton joked about the Tuesday games, "If there's 10 minutes to go and it's 4-4, it starts getting a bit lively... people are flying in because they don't want to give the tenner up."
The ambition, however, extends beyond casual fun. Manager Megran is determined to win the Treble this season: the Vets League, the Lancashire Cup, and the Manchester Cup. With rumours of Wayne Rooney being keen to play and a potential showdown in Dublin with UFC legend Conor McGregor's team, the phenomenon of Wythenshawe Vets shows no signs of slowing down.
