Premier League cult hero suffers horror injury as game abandoned and wife shaken up

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Premier League icon Stephen Ireland was hospitalised after suffering a serious injury during a Veterans Cup final. Ireland, 39, turns out for the star-studded Wythenshawe Vets side that has taken the Cheshire Vets League and the online world by storm with their glut of former top-flight players.

They were playing South Liverpool over-35s in a Cheshire Cup final at Warrington Rylands on Sunday, but the match was abandoned in the first half after a horror injury for the former Republic of Ireland international. Video footage has surfaced on social media showing Ireland on the end of a heavy tackle before collapsing to the ground.

The clip includes audio where a disturbing crack can be heard, with players from both teams left visibly shocked, some covering their faces with their hands.

Ireland, who turned out 176 times for Manchester City , was taken away from the non-league ground in an ambulance that had made its way onto the pitch. It is understood that Ireland is doing as well as can be expected, with both clubs and the league deciding the next steps on the final after the abandonment.

Ireland and his wife, Jess, are keeping the Greater Manchester club up to date with further updates when appropriate. The severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed, but in a post on the social media platform Instagram , the 39-year-old's shaken-up wife expressed gratitude to the emergency services, both clubs and Warrington Rylands (the cup final hosts) for their help.

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Wythenshawe Vets posted: "Stephen is overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for the support following today's incident in the Veterans Final.

"His wife Jess shared: '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.

"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.'

"A special thank you to the paramedics and ambulance team from Warrington Hospital for their swift and professional care.

"In true Stephen spirit: "Superman will return." We're all behind you, Stephen. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery."

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The Greater Manchester over-35s, who play in an overage league known as a 'vets' or veterans competition, have been one of the season's standout stories after numerous former Premier League and Football League stars joined the Sunday league club. With the likes of Ireland, Papiss Cisse, Oumar Niasse, Joleon Lescott and George Boyd amongst their ranks, they have been demolishing opposition teams.

Cisse, a Newcastle United icon, was said to have scored a first-half hat-trick during the final before the distressing incident involving Ireland.

They sit top of the Cheshire Vets League and remain undefeated through their opening 10 league fixtures with a six-point advantage at the summit and a staggering 77 goal difference.

This campaign could prove trophy-laden, having already secured the Manchester FA Veterans cup with a 9-2 thrashing of East Manchester in last month's final.

Following their meteoric rise, they have received an invitation to face Conor McGregor's non-league outfit in Ireland. They are also scheduled to travel to compete in the $1million winner-takes-all TST tournament in America at the end of May.

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