In a remarkable development for grassroots football, the Sunday League team packed with retired Premier League talent could be welcoming an Olympic legend to their already impressive squad. Wythenshawe FC Vets, who compete in the Cheshire Veterans Football League, have captured widespread attention in recent months after assembling a roster boasting over 1,800 top-flight appearances between them.
A Star-Studded Roster in the Ninth Tier
The team features a veritable who's who of former Premier League stars, including ex-Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea and Leicester City fame, and former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse. These are just a handful of the big names who regularly take to the pitch for this ninth-tier side, creating what might be the most talented Sunday League team in the country.
Bolt's Football Ambitions Resurface
Now, eight-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has revealed he would be interested in becoming the latest sporting icon to join Wythenshawe's ranks. When asked by talkSPORT if he would consider joining the club, the Jamaican superstar responded enthusiastically: 'Listen, I'm ready. I'm ready. If I get into some shape, I'm ready to go.'
The Cheshire-based side first hit headlines in October and November following a series of high-scoring victories, including a remarkable 11-0 demolition of South Liverpool in which Cisse netted an impressive six goals. The team's extraordinary quality has attracted significant social media attention, with the club amassing over 30,000 followers on TikTok as they continue to add former Premier League talent to their player pool.
An Ever-Expanding Pool of Talent
Beyond the initial headline names, Wythenshawe Vets' roster reads like a Premier League alumni list. The team includes former Manchester United players Ravel Morrison and Danny Simpson, ex-Stoke City defenders Phil Bardsley and Joleon Lescott, and veteran striker Emile Heskey. Last season saw further additions with Antonio Valencia and Wes Morgan also featuring for the star-studded non-league side on Tuesday fixtures.
From Track to Pitch
While Bolt is primarily known for his record-breaking exploits in athletics, he does possess genuine football experience. Following his retirement from track and field, the sprint legend completed a surprising move to Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners in 2018 as he pursued his dream of playing professional football.
During his trial period with the Mariners, Bolt played two pre-season games and even found the back of the net twice, demonstrating his footballing potential. However, he ultimately left the club in November 2018 after declining a one-season contract offer.
Now, with even former England captain Wayne Rooney reportedly interested in turning out for Wythenshawe, Bolt could become the next superstar to join this extraordinary conveyor belt of talent in Cheshire. The prospect of the world's fastest man lining up alongside retired Premier League professionals represents another fascinating chapter in the remarkable story of this viral Sunday League phenomenon.
