Grant Holt, Wes Hoolahan and Darren Huckerby join forces at Sunday League ‘super’ team Cringleford Veterans, showing off their new kit.
Cringleford Veterans was formed back in 2007 with the team going on to join the Norfolk Veterans League in 2010 with ex-Norwich keeper Scott Howie already part of the squad – but played as a midfielder – with manager Ecky Limon then bringing in more legends of the Championship high flyers.
He said via Evening News 24: “Over the years I became good friends with City legends Iwan Roberts and Darren Eadie.
“During the 2012/13 season I jokingly mentioned to them that I had a big game with my Veterans and that my two strikers were missing and asked did they fancy it.
“The next day I hadn’t mentioned it to my players – many of them lifelong Norwich fans.
“As Iwan and Darren strolled towards the group it was like a scene from a spaghetti western.
“My players were dumbstruck. In the changing room they weren’t sure whether to shake hands or ask for autographs.”
Imagine turning up for a casual game of Sunday veterans football, and you have to defend against these three 😯😂
(Via @CringlefordVets) pic.twitter.com/nCx74mkY3K
— Talk Norwich City (@TalkNorwichCity) September 19, 2022
⚽️ 2-0 Wes Pen pic.twitter.com/RHfDplNwN1
— Cringleford Veterans (@CringlefordVets) October 2, 2022
Darren Huckerby then expressed an interested in joining for the 2013/14 season and has played for the side ever since.
He said: “Even after a professional career you still don’t lose the sheer enjoyment of playing the game – being part of a team, the camaraderie and the whole social aspect.”
From there the club started seeing a rise in attendance crowds with cameo appearances including the likes of Adrian Forbes, Matt Gill, Adam Drury and then Grant Holt in 2019 – who then convinced Wes Hoolahan to sign up for the 2021/22 season.
Wes said: “It didn’t take long for Holty to convince me to join Cringleford.
“I’ve really enjoyed the first couple of games.”
Ecky added: “It’s been a real treat having such an impressive list of ex-pros turning out for our club.
“At no point has there been any sense that they were in any way the stars of the show – always happy to share their extra knowledge and experience but in the dressing room and in the pub they are just one of the lads like everyone else.”
Cringleford began the season with an at times nervy 4-2 victory against a well organised, spirited Fakenham Vets despite creating plenty of chances.
There was a debut goal for Wes Hoolahan, one for Jordy Blyth and a brace for Captain & Man of the Match Gav Lemmon.
Then Cringleford took on Horsford, winning that 8-0, with Hoolahan netting a hat-trick.
The next game for the club is away at Wymondham Town at 2:30pm on the 16th of October, according to the Full Time FA website.
Here’s what fans had to say as Grant Holt, Wes Hoolahan and Darren Huckerby join forces at the Sunday League ‘super’ team…
@jonnywatt2: I’d get back in the car and call off 😂
@richfeathers10: Wes will always be a magician no matter what age.
@aearland14ncfc: As a goalkeeper, I’d ring up the reserve keeper and tell him it’s his lucky day
@DSPhilpott: Can someone let grant know his undershirt needs to be the same colour as the sleeves
@76Gibby: Exactly what I was thinking when we got out on the pitch ! Great game to play in, great football and great hospitality 🍻
@AcclivityMine: Even now the Championship would shit its collective pants at the outrageous amount of firepower here
@CraigTrudgill: Brilliant for vets football that these guys are happy to turn out on a Sunday. They love the social like they rest of us! 👏🏻
@g_c_slater: Shirts come in small, medium and Beast 😂
@danprocter5: What a vets team , fancy a freindly over at Mildenhall town ?
@Phil_Grove: Wes hoolahan is one of the most underrated ballers I have ever seen play our beautiful game, an absolute maestro ⚽️
@robeagle2: Imagine turning up to play vets and these 3 are playing, no one will want to be a defender that day 😂
@paulgaul87: Hoolahan doesn’t age 👦
@birchy77: What a team
@TateJspbbsfgh9: Wish those 3 were in the Norwich starting eleven now
@Spencecanary: Norwich City heaven OTBC 💛💚❤️
@caggybrodie: Looks like an advert for cant pay well take it away 😂😂
@prepschoollatin: Absolute legends.
You had an absolutely cracking game mate. Outstanding 🙌⚽️💪
— Cringleford Veterans (@CringlefordVets) September 19, 2022

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