Former Manchester City and Republic of Ireland footballer Stephen Ireland was hospitalised after a horror incident while playing for Wythenshawe Vets against South Liverpool. Sunday’s CVFL Premier Cup final was abandoned after the 39-year-old suffered a sickening first-half injury.
Ireland is best known to Premier League fans for his time with Man City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Stoke City, while he also picked up six international appearances (scoring four goals for his country), during his 13-year professional career. He hung up his boots in 2018 but still plays and was in action this weekend.
The game, however, ended in disaster with the player forced off just under half an hour played.
Aston Villa player Stephen Ireland
Ireland was playing for Wythenshawe Vets, who are known for having a collection of former Premier League stars – with Joleon Lescott, Danny Drinkwater, Nedum Onuoha, Papiss Cisse, Emile Heskey and others on the books – when he was caught on the wrong end of a nassty studs-up challenge, which left him in a heap. Reports suggest he then had to wait for around 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive on the scene.
The player received treatment at the Quickline Arena, home of Warrington Rylands, before being taken to hospital by ambulance. A report from the Manchester Evening News confirmed that the match was abandoned.
In a statement on Instagram, his wife Jess wrote:
“Thank you to everyone at today’s game who helped in any way. It was a really upsetting and shocking moment, but the care and unity shown made a huge difference.”
She added: “We are so grateful not only to the Wythenshawe FC fans, but also to South Liverpool Vets and everyone at Warrington Rylands: you were all outstanding.”
The footage was originally shared on TikTok but has since been taken down.
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The likes of Emile Heskey and Stephen Ireland spearheaded Wythenshawe Veterans to their third league title on the bounce.
Wythenshawe Vets Provide Update on Ireland
Wythenshawe Vets also posted an update, noting: “Stephen is overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for the support following today’s incident in the Veterans Finals. A special thank you to the paramedics and ambulance team from Warrington Hospital for their swift and professional care.”
The club added: “In true Stephen spirit: ‘Superman will return.’ We’re all behind you, Stephen. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.”
While it will come as little surprise, with all the former Premier League stars among their ranks, Wythenshawe Vets are currently top of the Cheshire Vets League. Not just that, but they are unbeaten in their first 10 league games with a six-point lead at the top of the table with a hefty 77 goal difference.
They’ve already won the Manchester FA Veterans cup beating East Manchester 9-2 in the final last month and will expect more honours across the campaign. They have also been invited to play Conor McGregor’s non-league side in Ireland, and are due to fly out to play in the $1million winner-takes-all TST event in America at the end of May.