37 Facts About Stephen Ireland

Stephen James Ireland was born on 22 August 1986 and is an Irish former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Stephen Ireland 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 the Republic of Ireland.

In September 2010, Stephen Ireland was transferred to Aston Villa in a swap deal with James Milner.

Stephen Ireland eventually chose Manchester City, where he moved in August 2001, as a fifteen-year-old.

Stephen Ireland 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.

Stephen Ireland subsequently made his first competitive start against Doncaster Rovers on 21 September 2005.

Stephen Ireland won the Man of the Match award on his first Premier League start against Everton on 2 October 2005.

Stephen Ireland then started the next six matches for City, which won him a contract to keep him at the club until 2009.

Stephen Ireland got the ball just outside the left side of the penalty box and curved it over Kasey Keller into the top right corner.

Stephen Ireland finished the match with two assists, crossing for Elano to strike home.

Stephen Ireland later became the Greater Manchester Player of the Year.

However, by the end of October 2010, Stephen Ireland had been dropped from the Villa team with manager Gerard Houllier publicly stating that he needed to work harder at his game.

Stephen 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.

However, after appearing only twice and playing just 49 minutes of football for the Tyneside club, Stephen Ireland was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and was returned to Aston Villa.

Alex McLeish warned Stephen Ireland to create headlines on the pitch after being pictured posing with shisha pipe on Twitter.

Stephen Ireland made his move permanent on 14 January 2014.

On 15 April 2014, Stephen Ireland signed a new three-year contract with Stoke keeping him contracted until the summer of 2017.

Stephen Ireland scored twice in the FA Cup against Wrexham on 4 January 2015.

On 28 February 2015, Stephen Ireland suffered a deep cut on his calf which required 15 stitches following a challenge by Hull City defender Maynor Figueroa.

Stephen Ireland was released by Stoke at the end of the season.

Stephen Ireland joined EFL Championship side Bolton Wanderers on 9 October 2018.

On 20 December 2018, Stephen Ireland left Bolton without playing a game, though he did play two matches for Bolton's Development Squad, after having his contract cancelled by mutual consent.

Stephen Ireland stated in June 2020 that he regretted joining Bolton as they were going through financial trouble and assumed he did not play as he had playing bonuses in his contract.

When Stephen 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 Stephen Ireland while Kerr was manager.

In Staunton's first squad, for a match against Sweden, Stephen Ireland received a senior call up for the first time.

Stephen Ireland came on a substitute in the match, replacing John O'Shea.

On 7 February 2007, Stephen Ireland saved the Republic of Stephen Ireland from a draw with San Marino with a last minute injury time goal.

Stephen Ireland scored against Slovakia in Bratislava on 8 September 2007.

In September 2007, Stephen Ireland was at the centre of controversy when, in the immediate aftermath of a Republic of Stephen Ireland international match and days before their crunch match 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 Stephen Ireland's compassionate leave on these grounds, a private jet was chartered for his return.

Stephen Ireland changed his story again, saying one of his grandfathers had divorced, and it was his second wife who had died.

Stephen 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.

Speculation abounded that Stephen Ireland might make himself available for a call-up to the national squad to face Georgia on 11 February 2009.

On 19 February 2009, it was reported that Stephen Ireland had intimated to Manchester City teammate Shay Given that he would like to represent Stephen 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 omitted.

On 30 March 2012, Stephen Ireland suggested that he would be willing to return to international football after Euro 2012.

Stephen Ireland owned a home in Prestbury, Cheshire and a number of custom built vehicles.

Stephen Ireland has a number of tattoos including a large pair of angel wings on his back.