Stephen Ireland

Stephen Ireland

Ireland playing for Manchester City in 2009
Personal information
Full nameStephen James Ireland[1]
Date of birth22 August 1986[2]
Place of birthCork, Ireland
Height1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Playing positionAttacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
Stoke City
Number7
Youth career
1994–2001Cobh Ramblers
2001–2005Manchester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005–2010Manchester City138(16)
2010–2014Aston Villa47(1)
2011→ Newcastle United (loan)2(0)
2013–2014→ Stoke City (loan)13(2)
2014–Stoke City27(0)
National team‡
2005Republic of Ireland U211(0)
2006–2007Republic of Ireland6(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:44, 25 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 September 2007

Stephen James Ireland (born 22 August 1986) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for English club Stoke City as an attacking midfielder.

Ireland began his career with Cobh Ramblers before joining English club Manchester City in 2001. He made his professional debut in September 2005 and soon established himself as a regular at the City of Manchester Stadium and his performances saw him earn international recognition with Republic of Ireland. However, a row with Steve Staunton saw his international career come to an abrupt end.

In September 2010 Ireland was transferred to Aston Villa in a swap deal with James Milner. After a slow start to his Villa career he was loaned out to Newcastle United where he only played twice. In the 2011–12 season he improved and won the Fans Player of the Season award. However he fell out of the first team under Paul Lambert and in September 2013 he joined Stoke City on loan before making the move permanent in January 2014.

Club career

Early career

Born in Cork, County Cork, Ireland started his career in Cobh, playing junior football for Cobh Ramblers, a team his father Michael had previously played for.[4] As a schoolboy, Ireland had trials with a number of British clubs, though several were discouraged by his Osgood-Schlatter disease, which he suffered from in his mid-teens.[5] He eventually chose Manchester City, where he moved in August 2001, as a fifteen-year-old.

Manchester City

In 2005, at the age of 18, he joined English Premier League club Manchester City. He played for the first team in a number of pre-season friendlies and made his competitive debut on 18 September 2005 against Bolton Wanderers, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute.[6] He subsequently made his first competitive start against Doncaster Rovers on 21 September 2005. He won the Man of the Match award on his first Premier League start against Everton on 2 October 2005.[7][8] He then started the next six matches for City, which won him a contract to keep him at the club until 2009.[9] In the remainder of the season he participated in around half of Manchester City's matches, ending the season with a total of 16 starts and 12 substitute appearances.[10] On 26 December, Ireland scored his first Premier League goal for City, a left footed volley from 20 yards. The goal proved to be the only goal in a vital 1–0 victory at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane. Ireland's second goal for City came against Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of FA Cup. His goal, scored just moments before the interval, was created by man of the match Joey Barton in front of 25,000 spectators at the City of Manchester Stadium. City went on to win 2–1. On 18 February, Ireland rounded off the scoring for Manchester City in a 3–1 away win over Preston North End in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a stunning volley from outside the area.

Ireland training with Manchester City in 2008

Having started the 2007–08 Premier League season well with City, Ireland scored the only goal, a volley, in a 1–0 home win over Sunderland. His celebration for the goal courted some controversy, Ireland dropped his shorts to reveal a pair of underpants sporting the Superman logo, however the FA decided a warning would be the fairest course of action. Then in November against Reading he scored to keep Manchester City's home record at 100%. Two weeks later he was sent off in the 2–1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur and received a 3 match ban. Ireland scored a goal in the reverse fixture, which led Manchester City to a 2–1 home victory over Spurs.[11] He scored his final goal of the season with a sweet strike in the 2–3 loss to Fulham. He got the ball just outside the left side of the penalty box and curved it over Kasey Keller into the top right corner. He finished the 2007–08 season with four goals.

He returned to the first team in a good individual and team performance in the 3–0 win against West Ham United. He finished the match with two assists, crossing for Elano to strike home. He opened his tally in the 3–0 away win at Sunderland. He scored again the in 2–2 draw at Newcastle United on 20 October. He scored both goals in the 2–2 draw at Hull City on 16 November,[12] and opened the score in the successive league match against Arsenal. After netting in a 2–1 win over Everton, Ireland took his seasons tally to 13 in a memorable season for the Irishman.

On 20 May 2009, he was named Manchester City's Senior Player of the Year for his blistering performances throughout the 2008–09 season and as a result has secured a new five-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2014.[13] He later became the Greater Manchester player of the Year.[14] He opened his account in the 2009–10 Season with an opening day goal in the 2–0 win at Blackburn Rovers.[15]

In December 2009, Mark Hughes was sacked as manager and was replaced by former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini. With the good form of Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany and new signing Patrick Vieira at the club, Ireland spent most of the second half of the season as a substitute. By the end of the 2009–10 season, he only scored three goals, which were all before Mancini's arrival. The club's manager Roberto Mancini said Ireland must change his head in order to play."I don't know what he is thinking about his future but, for me, Stephen is a fantastic player and if he can change his head I think he can start to play like last season [2008–09] again.[16]

Aston Villa

At the start of the 2010–11 Premier League season, Ireland was targeted to be transferred with loan to Aston Villa in exchange for James Milner, but the deal was held up when he demanded £2 million from Manchester City to agree to the move. On 17 August 2010 it was reported the deal had been done, and he was at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath Training Ground for a medical. The final price was £8million in a part exchange for Milner.[17] Ireland signed a 4-year deal with the Midlands club. After completing the move, Ireland criticised his former club, saying that its young players were "money-obsessed" and that: "I guess James Milner must think the grass is greener on the other side. He's going to get a shock soon because it's definitely not that way".[18] Ireland made his debut for the club on his 24th birthday in an away fixture at Newcastle United. Ireland started and played for the full duration of the game as Villa were beaten 6–0. However, by the end of October 2010, Ireland had been dropped from the Villa team with manager Gerard Houllier publicly stating that he needs to work harder at his game.

Ireland in action for Aston Villa in 2012

On the final day of the transfer window, 31 January 2011, Ireland joined Newcastle United on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent deal.[19] Ireland was already injured when he joined Newcastle and suffered a number of setbacks, including a controversial nightclub incident with teammate Leon Best the night before a match.[20] He finally made his debut on 19 April 2011 in a 0–0 draw with Manchester United, appearing as a 65th minute substitute. However, after appearing only twice and playing just 49 minutes of football for the Tyneside club, Ireland was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and was returned to Aston Villa.[21]

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Ireland stated his intentions to remain at Aston Villa and fight for his place in the team under new manager Alex McLeish, despite having a disappointing first term at the club. It was also confirmed that he would take the number 7 jersey from Ashley Young who had recently joined Manchester United.[22][23] Alex McLeish warned Ireland to create headlines on the pitch after being pictured posing with shisha pipe on Twitter.[24][25] On 31 December 2011, Ireland scored his first ever goal for Villa in a 3–1 away win at Chelsea, scoring the opener and assisting the third goal in a man of the match winning performance. At the end of the season, after some impressive displays, Ireland was voted Aston Villa's Supporters' player of the season.[26]

After a positive start to the 2012–13 season, Ireland broke a bone is his wrist during Villa's 4–1 loss away at Southampton on 22 September in which he had assisted a Darren Bent goal. Manager Paul Lambert revealed it would rule him out for 'a few weeks'.[27] Despite this good start, Ireland failed to perform consistently throughout the rest of the season and played his last game of the season on 22 January 2013. At the end of the season Ireland was heavily linked with a move away from the club and began training with the reserves.[28]

Stoke City

Ireland playing for Stoke City in 2015.

On 2 September 2013 Ireland joined Stoke City on loan for the 2013–14 season, which would see him link up with Mark Hughes.[29][30] Speaking after joining Stoke, Ireland hopes that his loan spell will help resurrect his career.—"It’s been really frustrating as I take my job seriously and it’s been difficult for me not being on the team bus playing games. This is a big year for me and I never got a run of games at Villa. It’s been very up and down and is hard to take because I’ve always trained properly and been professional. I’m just so grateful to the manager here at Stoke for giving me the opportunity to build up my career again. I’ve absolutely got a point to prove and I’m dying to get back into the swing of things. This is a massive opportunity and I’m still only 27. It's a vital year for me to be playing week in, week out."[31][32]

Ireland made his Stoke debut on 14 September 2013 in a 0–0 draw against his former club Manchester City.[33] Ireland scored his first goal for Stoke on 25 September 2013 in a 2–0 League Cup win over Tranmere Rovers.[34] On 9 November 2013 he scored against Swansea City in a 3–3 draw.[35] He made his move permanent on 14 January 2014.[36] On 15 April 2014 Ireland signed a new three-year contract with Stoke keeping him contracted until the summer of 2017.[37] Ireland played 29 times in 2013–14 as Stoke finished in 9th position.[38]

Ireland scored twice in the FA Cup against Wrexham on 4 January 2015.[39] He also scored in the next round against Rochdale.[40] On 28 February 2015 Ireland suffered a deep cut on his calf which required 15 stitches following a challenge by Hull City defender Maynor Figueroa.[41]

International career

Ireland represented Ireland at under-15, under-16 and under-17 level,[4] but when called up to under-18 level he had a dispute with coach Brian Kerr after he was left out of the side and told to watch the match from the stands. The team lost the match 4–0, and Kerr suggested Ireland would be involved in the next match. When Ireland was again left out, he requested to return to his club, and Kerr informed him that he would never play for the Republic of Ireland while Kerr was manager.[42]

In January 2006 Kerr was replaced as Ireland manager by Steve Staunton. In Staunton's first squad, for a match against Sweden, Ireland received a senior call up for the first time. Ireland came on a substitute in the match, replacing John O'Shea.[43] He scored his first international goal on 7 October 2006 in a 5–2 loss to Cyprus. On 7 February 2007 Stephen Ireland saved the Republic of Ireland from a humiliating draw with San Marino with a last minute injury time goal. Final score was 2–1.

On 24 March 2007, he scored the first ever goal in Croke Park against Wales.[44] This was his third international goal in just four matches. He also scored against Slovakia in Bratislava on 8 September 2007.

Controversy

In September 2007, Ireland was at the centre of controversy when, in the immediate aftermath of a Republic of Ireland international match and days before their crunch game against the Czech Republic, coach Steve Staunton informed him of a telephone call just received from his girlfriend reporting the death of his maternal grandmother. Staunton quickly consented to Ireland's compassionate leave on these grounds, a private jet was chartered for his return.

However the media quickly discovered that Ireland's grandmother was not dead, at which point Ireland announced it was his paternal grandmother who died but yet again, reporters discovered that Ireland's paternal grandmother was also still alive, and her relatives had threatened to sue one newspaper that reported her death. Ireland changed his story again, saying one of his grandfathers had divorced, and it was his second wife who had died. That was also quickly discovered to be untrue.[45]

Ireland eventually came out with the truth, admitting he had invented a reason to leave the Irish team in order to visit his girlfriend in Cork, who, he claimed, had a miscarriage. "I decided at that stage that I must tell the truth and admit I had told lies," Ireland said. "I realise now it was a massive mistake to say my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it."[46]

Exile

Speculation abounded that Ireland might make himself available for a call-up to the national squad to face Georgia on 11 February 2009.[47] However, when the squad was announced on 19 January, the player's name did not feature, and Liam Brady took the opportunity to explain to the press that he and Trapattoni had previously come to an agreement with the player whereby he would inform them when he felt like playing again, and that so far no contact had been made from the player's end.[48]

On 19 February it was reported that Ireland had intimated to Manchester City team mate Shay Given that he would like to represent Ireland at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and that a return to the international fold was imminent, but when the Irish squad to face Bulgaria on 28 March and Italy on 1 April was announced, his name was once again omitted. Trapattoni revealed at the accompanying press conference that he himself did not believe Ireland would return, claiming that when he had met with the player months previously he had appeared withdrawn and reluctant to look the Ireland manager in the eye.[49]

Ireland has now said that he will probably not return to the national team: "I always say 'never say never' because it's hard not to, but I don't think I'll ever go back."[50] In August 2010, he restated that he would not return: "I watch Ireland matches like anyone else might do at this stage, but I don’t feel a part of it at all. It doesn’t make me feel like I should go back play again. That question is gone for me and the answer won’t change my mind."[51]

On 30 March 2012, Ireland suggested that he would be willing to return to international football after Euro 2012.[52] In May 2014, after unsuccessful attempts at trying to contact Ireland by Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, Ireland's agent got in touch with the FAI to say that he would not be available for the friendly games against Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal.[53]

International goals

Republic of Ireland goal tally first.

Personal life

Ireland is married and has three children.[54] Ireland has spent his football earnings on extravagant luxuries, including his home in Prestbury, Cheshire and on a number of custom built vehicles.[55] He also has a number of tattoos including a pair of angel wings on his back.[56]

Club statistics

Club

As of match played 25 April 2015
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2005–06[57] Premier League 2403010—280
2006–07[58] Premier League 2414210—293
2007–08[59] Premier League 3343030—394
2008–09[60] Premier League 359001114[lower-alpha 1]35013
2009–10[61] Premier League 2223051—303
Total 1381613211214317623
Aston Villa 2010–11[62] Premier League 100002000120
2011–12[63] Premier League 2412020—281
2012–13[64] Premier League 1301030—170
Total 471307000571
Newcastle United (loan) 2010–11[62] Premier League 20———20
Stoke City 2013–14[38] Premier League 2521031—293
2014–15[65] Premier League 1502310—183
Total 4023341—476
Career total 2271919522314328230
  1. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Cup

International

International statistics
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland[66]
200621
200743
Total 6 4

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League clubs submit squad lists". premierleague.com (Premier League). 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  2. ↑ "Official website". Stephenireland.com.
  3. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile Stephen Ireland". Premier League. Barclays Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Player profile – Stephen Ireland". Cobh Ramblers. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  5. ↑ "Unhappy history of Ireland is Eastlands' gain". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "Player profile – 7 Stephen Ireland". ESPN. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  7. ↑ Instone, David (3 October 2005). "Mills' wonder goal inspires City as Moyes remains rock bottom". The Independent (London). Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  8. ↑ "Ireland impresses as City add to Everton woes". Irish Independent. 3 October 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  9. ↑ "Ireland signs new contract with City". RTÉ. 26 October 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  10. ↑ James, Gary (2006). Manchester City – The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. ISBN 1-85983-512-0. p479
  11. ↑ Stephen Ireland avoids censure for flash pants Daily Telegraph (6 November 2007)
  12. ↑ Hart break England good break Ireland. Daily Mail
  13. ↑ Man City secure new Ireland deal BBC Sport; 28 May 2009
  14. ↑ "Manchester City's Stephen Ireland scoops award". Goal.
  15. ↑ Emmanuel Adebayor's debut strike puts Manchester City on the road to a winning start The Guardian; 15 August 2009
  16. ↑ "guardian.co.uk
  17. ↑ "Manchester City complete signing of Mario Balotelli". BBC. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  18. ↑ James, Stuart (20 August 2010). "Stephen Ireland blasts Manchester City after leaving for Aston Villa". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  19. ↑ "Ireland joins Newcastle on loan". ESPN. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  20. ↑ "Leon Best and Stephen Ireland apologise for nightclub visit". The Guardian (London). 21 March 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "Stephen Ireland returns to Villa after injury". The Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  22. ↑ "Ireland determined to shine in claret and blue with fresh start". Aston Villa.
  23. ↑ "Ireland wants Villa chance". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  24. ↑ "Stephen Ireland told not to draw attention to himself after being pictured posing with shisha pipe". The Daily Telegraph (London). 30 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "McLeish unhappy at Ireland photo". BBC News. 30 December 2011.
  26. ↑ Aston Villa. "Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov voted club's players' player of the year". Telegraph.
  27. ↑ "Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland facing 'a few weeks' out with a broken bone in his wrist | Aston Villa News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers". Sky Sports. 27 September 2012.
  28. ↑ "Stephen Ireland ready for a new start at Stoke City after leaving Aston Villa's 'Bomb Squad'". Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  29. ↑ "Stephen Checks In". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  30. ↑ "Transfer deadline day: Stephen Ireland joins Stoke on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  31. ↑ "Stephen Ireland hoping to resurrect career at Stoke under Mark Hughes after deadline day move from Aston Villa". Telegraph. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  32. ↑ "Stephen Ireland ready for a new start at Stoke City after leaving Aston Villa's 'Bomb Squad'". Telegraph. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  33. ↑ "Stoke 0-0 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  34. ↑ "Tranmere 0-2 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  35. ↑ "Stephen Ireland insists Potters are so close to hitting top form". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  36. ↑ "Loan Star Pens Permanent Deal". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  37. ↑ "Stephen Ireland signs up until 2017". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "Stoke 3-1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  40. ↑ "Rochdale 1-4 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  41. ↑ "Mark Hughes fumes as Stoke's Stephen Ireland sidelined". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  42. ↑ "Ireland sets his sights on international return". RTÉ. 20 December 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  43. ↑ "Rep of Ireland 3–0 Sweden". BBC. 1 March 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  44. ↑ Haylett, Trevor (25 March 2007). "Ireland's the victor in every sense". Sunday Telegraph (London). Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  45. ↑ "Ireland sorry after Republic lie". BBC Sport. 14 September 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  46. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (15 September 2007). "Ireland apologises for lies over fate of both grandmothers". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  47. ↑ "City ace Ireland hints at return to green fold". Irish Independent. 15 December 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  48. ↑ "Brady blasts Ireland reports: City star remains in self-imposed exile, according to assistant". Sky Sports News. 19 January 2009.
  49. ↑ "Ireland finds door shut". Evening Herald. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  50. ↑ Interview – Stephen Ireland BBC Sport (9 May 2009) Retrieved on 2009-05-10
  51. ↑ "Houllier hoping for Ireland return". GreenScene. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  52. ↑ Armitage, Dave (30 March 2012). "Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: Football :: Stephen Ireland would love Republic of Ireland call-up". Daily Star.
  53. ↑ "Martin O'Neill leaves ball firmly in Stephen Ireland's court over player's international return". RTE Sport. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  54. ↑ "Family man Stephen Ireland is Aston Villa’s father figure". The Express. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  55. ↑ "Villa's King of Bling Stephen Ireland shows off his multi-coloured home". Express & Star. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  56. ↑ "Stephen Ireland shows off his tattoos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  57. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  58. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  59. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  60. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  61. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Ireland in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  66. ↑ "Stephen Ireland". National Football Teams. Retrieved 30 June 2014.

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