In an extraordinary display of footballing prowess, Wythenshawe FC's veterans team delivered a stunning 13-0 victory against South Liverpool, showcasing the remarkable talent of their squad that includes ten former Premier League players.
From Premier League Glory to Sunday League Passion
The story began when former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland started attending casual kickabouts with the team. Ireland's involvement became the catalyst for what would become one of the most remarkable stories in grassroots football. "I came down in pre-season just because I love playing football," Ireland explained. "I love the fitness side of things. I invited some of the others and slowly but surely everyone wants to play."
The veterans squad now boasts an incredible 1,867 Premier League appearances between them, along with 389 international caps and 15 major honours. The team includes household names such as Emile Heskey, Joleon Lescott, Papiss Cissé, Danny Drinkwater, and recent addition Jefferson Montero.
A Record-Breaking Performance
In their latest match at Hollyhedge Park, six of the former professionals started against South Liverpool, with Drinkwater and Montero making their debuts. What followed was nothing short of spectacular.
Papiss Cissé, the former Newcastle United striker, scored eight goals – all coming in the second half after he surprisingly missed a first-half penalty. Stephen Ireland and George Boyd contributed two goals each to complete the 13-0 rout. The match attracted nearly 1,000 spectators, a far cry from the typical Sunday League attendance.
This wasn't an isolated performance either. Wythenshawe's veterans have been in glittering form, having previously recorded victories of 6-2, 10-1, 7-1 and 5-2 in their league campaign. Last month, Cissé scored all six goals in a 6-2 win against Collegiate Old Boys, a game that attracted nearly 200 spectators.
More Than Just Winning Matches
For Wythenshawe FC chairman Carl Barratt, who has been connected to the club for 24 years, the impact extends far beyond the scorelines. The club oversees 80 teams across all age levels, involving nearly 1,000 children, and was Cole Palmer's first club before his move to Chelsea.
"Ultimately, we're a community-owned club and this is highlighting what we do in the area," Barratt said. "Wythenshawe is not the most affluent area but hopefully this can contribute to us getting more players, generating more money and the feelgood factor around the place... you can just sense it."
The veterans team was already successful before the influx of Premier League talent, having won 30 of their 32 games last season under manager Kieran Megran, with their only defeats coming in two County Cup finals.
The Players' Perspective
For the former professionals, the experience has been surprisingly rewarding. Danny Drinkwater, who won the Premier League with Leicester City, shared his enthusiasm: "Without sounding daft, there's just as much enjoyment as playing in the Premier League."
"You do a token 10-minute warm-up, you're having a laugh and you have a pint afterwards – it's as good as it's going to get," Drinkwater continued. "The values are obviously different in professional football, but you can enjoy it just as much. It's like estate football, which is what you enjoyed as a kid."
Stephen Ireland emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance within the squad: "It's competitive and it's going from strength to strength. I didn't want it to be something where 15 of us ex-pros came in and took over, I want a good mix with the old vets lads. It's a nice humbling experience to interact with fans as well."
The phenomenon has captured attention far beyond Manchester, with Barratt receiving messages from as far away as Australia. As the story continues to grow on social media, one thing is clear: this unique blend of Premier League pedigree and community spirit is creating something special in Wythenshawe.
