Amateur Manchester side, Wythenshawe Vets, have gained social media stardom due to the Ex-Premier League players who now play for the side. This summer the squad with over 2000 Premier League appearances, is headed to the United States to compete in the TST 7v7 Cup.
The Vets are headed to North Carolina in quest for the $1m ‘winner takes all’ prize. They are expected to be joined by the likes of Gerard Pique’s ‘Kings League all-stars’, Sergio Aguero’s ‘Kru FC’, and ‘Villareal CF’, just some of the sides containing world class talent.
Wythenshawe Veterans are the ‘over-35s’ side for Wythenshawe FC. The Veterans are captained by former Manchester City player of the year Stephen Ireland, and contain a crop of real quality. Premier League winners, Antonio Valencia, Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson all play for the team, alongside many more ex-Premier League stars.
Wythenshawe Veterans currently sit top of their domestic league, winning all eight of their fixtures so far this season, and with an astounding goal difference of sixty-six, sixty goals superior to second place.
Despite current form, Wythenshawe are still on the lookout for new talent to join them for this Summer’s 7v7 tournament. Captain of Liverpool side Litherland Remyca, Dilon O’Callaghan, has been in talks with the Vets over joining them across the pond.
O’Callaghan, aged 30, finds himself in fine form this season, with eight goals in his last ten matches, helping the club to exit the relegation zone for the first time all season, following his mid-season arrival.
Wythenshawe Vets captain Stephen Ireland is no stranger to the TST 7v7 tournament in America, coming agonisingly close to the trophy in his previous visits, he returns this time with a bolstered squad well capable of winning.
All time goalscorer of the TST 7v7 tournament, and former Scotland international, George Boyd, is set to lead the line for the Vets, hoping to add to his current 15-goal tally.
Wythenshawe Vets are the only side based in Greater Manchester to play in the tournament and will be looking to do Manchester, and that title, proud.
Wythenshawe Vets‘ Social Media presence
Wythenshawe Vets have become somewhat of an ‘overnight TikTok sensation’, amassing over 40k followers and over 900k likes in only a couple of months. Reporters from all over the country have come to Wythenshawe to see the Vets in action. Major outlets such as the BBC and SkySports have visited, as well as regional outlets like the MEN and the Liverpool Echo. The newfound media presence has helped to bolster Wythenshawe, with increasing crowds at games providing more jobs for the local economy as well as a greater media focus on Wythenshawe, helping local issues to get solved much faster.
With their eyes on the prize, who and what funds the $1m?
TST is funded through a combination of public investment and private sponsorship. The State of North Carolina has committed up to $6.8m through its “Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund” to support the event’s long-term hosting in Cary, with private companies like ‘RBC Wealth Management’ and ‘Ally Financial’ also adding to the pot.