Wythenshawe Vets boast a glut of Premier League legends and icons with Antonio Valencia becoming the latest to join
Antonio Valencia has been announced as the latest star-studded arrival at Wythenshawe Vets.
Antonio Valencia has been announced as the latest arrival at the star-studded Wythenshawe Vets.(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has signed for star-studded Sunday league side Wythenshawe Vets over-35s. The Ecuador icon is set to dust off his boots and join forces with some of the Premier League greats in the Cheshire Veterans Football League.
The amateur football club hailing from Greater Manchester hit the headlines internationally after boasting some of the most experienced and most prolific players that the top-flight has seen in one team. Former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has been credited as one of the key components of the squad for attracting the glut of ex-professionals.
Valencia is the latest to join the club but appeared to miss their recent win in the Manchester FA Veterans County Cup. Wythenshawe ran out 18-0 winners over Reddis North End Veterans after scoring 11 goals in the second half.
The 40-year-old's arrival was announced on the social media platform, TikTok, and teased the Premier League winner's debut. The post featured highlights of Valencia's playing career along with the caption: "Soon to be running out at the Avensure Community Stadium very soon [fire emoji]."
The starting 11 is littered with familiar names and faces, with Oumar Niasse, Papiss Cisse, Maynor Figueroa, Emile Heskey, Daniel Drinkwater and George Boyd among them.
Prior to City's 3-0 win over Liverpool last year, national media descended onto the club for their emphatic 13-0 win over South Liverpool.
In the top-of-the-table clash, Cisse, formerly of Newcastle United, scored seven as both he and Ireland have sparked their own race for the Golden Boot.
The former Republic of Ireland international trails Cisse by three goals in the standings so far, with 10 and 13 goals respectively in just three league appearances.
Wythenshawe are top of the Premier Division in the over-35s league, ahead of Radcliffe Old Boys on goal difference, having played three games less.
Their league outings have taken a hit recently due to the adverse weather, which ended hope of playing their last two league meetings against Parklands (Widnes) and Old Strefordians Gregorians in November.
But they returned with a vengeance to net 18 times. United's all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney is also said to have put his name in the hat to be in contention to feature for the stars of Sunday league.
Speaking to Sky Sports previously, Ireland said: "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.
"A lot of lads can feel a bit stranded and alone when they come out of football. We all live in the same area so help each other."