07. Stephen Ireland

Position: Attacking Midfielder Date of Birth: 22nd August 1986 Place of Birth: County Cork, Ireland Caps: 6* Height: 173cm

As a schoolboy Stephen had trials with various British football clubs, but many were put off by his Osgood-Schlatter disease, which he suffered from in his mid-teens. However, in 2005 Ireland joined Manchester City at the age of 18.

He featured in a number of first team pre-season friendlies, and went on to make his first team debut when he came of the bench after 81 minutes against Bolton Wanderers. Three days later he made his first competitive start in a cup fixture against Doncaster Rovers and it wasn’t long before he was making an impact for the Citizens when he was named man of the match on his first Premier League start against Everton.

As a result of the impact he was making he soon signed a contract extension until 2009, and finished his first season in the Premier League with 16 starts and 12 substitute appearances.

In the 2007-08 season Ireland continued the form he had shown in the previous season, however following his goal against Sunderland he controversy pulled down his shorts to reveal some Superman underwear something he has never been able to let down from fans and media alike.

At the end of the 2009 season, Stephen was named the club player of the year at Manchester City, however like many City players it was just a matter of time before he would be offloaded after there money bag owners took over and on August 17th 2010 he joined Aston Villa as part of the James Milner deal witch was said to be worth around £26,000,000.

Ireland’s first season at Villa Park wasn’t the best. He looked half the player he was at Manchester City and was soon shipped out to Newcastle on loan. Because of injury problems the midfielder only managed to appearances for the Geordie club and returned to Aston Villa at the end of the season.

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Ireland stated that he would stay at Aston Villa and he would fight for his first team place. He had a very impressive 40minutes in a 3-1 pre-season victory over local rivals Walsall but was taken off just before half time due to injury. Let’s just hope he can become the player we all know he has the potential to become.

Honours;
Club Player of the Year 08/09 (Manchester City)

(*-as of 1st May 2011)