Premier League Stars Turn Out for Fun and Fitness in Sunday League
The Premier League has become the ultimate proving ground for talent, but some of its biggest stars are now trading in their top-flight salaries for something far more low-key: Sunday league football. The likes of Papiss Cisse, Danny Drinkwater, Emile Heskey, Joleon Lescott, and Stephen Ireland have all joined forces with Wythenshawe Vets over-35s, a team competing in the Cheshire Vets League Premier Division.
The club boasts an astonishing 1,867 Premier League appearances, 389 international caps, and 15 major honours between its players. It's a staggering amount of footballing credentials that would make any team jealous. But what's behind this group of legends playing for fun in a Sunday league?
For Cisse, it's all about enjoying the game and keeping fit. "We have to have fun, keep fit and enjoy football because this is our life," he said after scoring seven goals against Collegiate Old Boys last month. The former Newcastle striker, who netted 37 top-flight goals, seems to be embracing his new role in a positive way.
Ireland's perspective is slightly different. The clever midfielder, who won the Premier League title with Leicester and played for Aston Villa and Stoke, says he was invited down by friends to play for Wythenshawe Vets pre-season and has never looked back. "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 explained.
The club has grown exponentially through social media, drawing in crowds of hundreds to their home ground, Hollyhedge Park. Manager Kieran Megram couldn't be prouder of his team's performance this season, which includes six consecutive league wins.
One player who stands out from the crowd is Danny Drinkwater, a former Leicester City title winner who played for Chelsea and England before falling out of love with the game. "We're not here to take advantage of any standard around, this is purely to get some enjoyment and fitness," he said. For Drinkwater, playing for Wythenshawe Vets has revived his passion for football.
The team's focus on having fun and staying active is a refreshing change from the cutthroat world of professional football. "You can't compare it - you get a bacon sarnie and a beer afterwards, it's great," Drinkwater joked.
For these Premier League legends, playing in a Sunday league has become an opportunity to recapture some of their youth, make new friends, and simply enjoy the beautiful game without the pressures of competition. Who knows? Maybe this is where they'll find their true happiness.
The Premier League has become the ultimate proving ground for talent, but some of its biggest stars are now trading in their top-flight salaries for something far more low-key: Sunday league football. The likes of Papiss Cisse, Danny Drinkwater, Emile Heskey, Joleon Lescott, and Stephen Ireland have all joined forces with Wythenshawe Vets over-35s, a team competing in the Cheshire Vets League Premier Division.
The club boasts an astonishing 1,867 Premier League appearances, 389 international caps, and 15 major honours between its players. It's a staggering amount of footballing credentials that would make any team jealous. But what's behind this group of legends playing for fun in a Sunday league?
For Cisse, it's all about enjoying the game and keeping fit. "We have to have fun, keep fit and enjoy football because this is our life," he said after scoring seven goals against Collegiate Old Boys last month. The former Newcastle striker, who netted 37 top-flight goals, seems to be embracing his new role in a positive way.
Ireland's perspective is slightly different. The clever midfielder, who won the Premier League title with Leicester and played for Aston Villa and Stoke, says he was invited down by friends to play for Wythenshawe Vets pre-season and has never looked back. "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 explained.
The club has grown exponentially through social media, drawing in crowds of hundreds to their home ground, Hollyhedge Park. Manager Kieran Megram couldn't be prouder of his team's performance this season, which includes six consecutive league wins.
One player who stands out from the crowd is Danny Drinkwater, a former Leicester City title winner who played for Chelsea and England before falling out of love with the game. "We're not here to take advantage of any standard around, this is purely to get some enjoyment and fitness," he said. For Drinkwater, playing for Wythenshawe Vets has revived his passion for football.
The team's focus on having fun and staying active is a refreshing change from the cutthroat world of professional football. "You can't compare it - you get a bacon sarnie and a beer afterwards, it's great," Drinkwater joked.
For these Premier League legends, playing in a Sunday league has become an opportunity to recapture some of their youth, make new friends, and simply enjoy the beautiful game without the pressures of competition. Who knows? Maybe this is where they'll find their true happiness.
? It's awesome to see these Premier League legends having so much fun and staying active with Wythenshawe Vets 
. Papiss Cisse's quote is so true - "we have to have fun, keep fit and enjoy football because this is our life" 
. I mean, can you blame them? They've earned the right to relax and enjoy the game after all they've achieved. And it's not like they're going soft or anything, it's just a chance to unwind and stay connected with their love for footy 
. The club's social media growth is also super cool - I'm sure it's a great way for them to stay involved in the game without the stress of competitions 
. Overall, it's all about finding happiness and having fun, and who can argue with that? 
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? These guys are proof that it's never too late to recapture some of our youth and find happiness in something we love.
. They get to be themselves, not worry about injuries or contract renewals, and just enjoy the beautiful game for what it is - a love of the ball and some mates 
I mean, can you believe these guys are playing in a Sunday league? 1,867 Premier League appearances and all that jazz, just to have fun and fit. I get it, mental health benefits and all that, but can't they just find a nice park or something to play in without drawing crowds of hundreds? It's just not the same as playing for their club, is it? And what's with the manager being so proud of six consecutive league wins in a Sunday league? 
I guess it's cool that they're having fun and all, but can't we talk about something else for once? 
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. I mean, where else are you gonna get a bunch of Premier League legends showing up to a game and being all chill and fun-loving? It's like they're trying to rebrand themselves as "cool" or something 
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! It's all about keeping fit, having fun and not taking themselves too seriously, you know? These legends are still got it, Papiss Cisse is still scoring goals like a pro 
. They're not just out to show off, but genuinely enjoying themselves and keeping active. I mean, who wouldn't want to grab a pint and some grub after a match? 
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. I mean, can you blame them? The game can get pretty intense at the top level 
. It's great to see them embracing their new roles as Sunday league regulars 
. Cisse, Heskey, Lescott - it's like they're still playing for Newcastle United back in the day 
! And Drinkwater's got a point about the 'bacon sarnie and beer' after games 
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i love how danny drinkwater said its all about enjoying the game and fitness, thats so relatable tbh 
wythenshawe vets r doin it right, who needs the premier league when u can have fun & mates 
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. On a more serious note, it's great to see these legends finding a new passion in life and staying active. Mental health is everything, and if playing Sunday league football can bring them joy and mateship, then count me in too 
. Wythenshawe Vets is growing exponentially on social media too! 
Over 100k followers in just a few months, and it's no wonder why - who wouldn't want to watch Danny Drinkwater and Emile Heskey duke it out on the pitch?