Sunday league club with Premier League cult heroes sign two-time title winner

Wythenshawe’s Vets team has added some extra star power to its squad.

The club confirmed late on Sunday evening the signing of former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia.

Valencia is the latest big name to join the unlikely Sunday league team boasting a wealth of Premier League experience.

Who else plays for Wythenshawe Vets?

The likes of Stephen Ireland, Danny Drinkwater, Papiss Cisse, Emile Heskey, Joleon Lescott and Oumar Niasse are just some of the headline acts who have turned out for Wythenshawe Vets this season.

Cisse even netted a double hat-trick for the team last November, although he could have had more given he missed a penalty during a 11-0 win over Liverpool South.

In fact, the former Newcastle marksman has scored 19 goals in just three fixtures.

How have the Wythenshawe Vets fared this season?

Cisse’s brilliance in front of goal has helped the Wythenshawe Vets to seven wins from seven as they sit top of the Cheshire Vets League Premier Division.

They are also doing their best to ensure they won’t be pipped to the post on goal difference either, boasting a differential of plus-54.

Aside from coasting the league, Wythenshawe Vets have already claimed two pieces of silverware this term.

They scooped up the Lancashire FA Veterans Cup on March 13 with a 8-2 win over Vickerstown.

Wythenshawe added to the trophy cabinet nearly a week later when they thrashed East Manchester 9-2 to take home the Manchester FA Veterans Cup.

As for Valencia, he will look to slot straight back in to football having retired in May 2021.

Who is in Wythenshawe's star-studded Vets side?

Marc Albrighton

Maynor Figueroa

Stephen Ireland

Jefferson Montero

Erik Pieters

Keiren Westwood

George Boyd

Paul McShane

Papiss Cisse

Cameron Jerome

Nedum Onuoha

Antonio Valencia

Danny Drinkwater

Emile Heskey

Joleon Lescott

Adrian Mariappa

Oumar Niasse

Martyn Waghorn

Valencia, the Red Devils hero

The Ecuadorian icon is fondly remembered for his ten-year spell at United.

Valencia joined the Red Devils from Wigan Athletic in June 2009 and went on to become a club legend.

Across his decade at Old Trafford, the former United skipper made over 330 appearances across all competitions.

Valencia also won an impressive nine trophies with the Red Devils, including two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the Europa League.

The 40-year-old even won the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award twice and was named in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year for the 2009/10 campaign.

Valencia brought the curtain down on his stellar tenure at Old Trafford in June 2019.

Getty

He subsequently joined Ecuadorian top flight sight LDU Quito following his release from United and was on their books for two seasons before he moved to Mexican outfit Queretaro.

Despite retiring in May 2021, Valencia has not strayed far from football as he has turned out on several occasions for United’s Legends team.