Stephen Ireland taken to hospital after suffering horror injury while playing for Wythenshawe Vets as wife left shaken

An ambulance was called onto the pitch during Sunday's CVFL Premier Cup final between Wythenshawe Vets and South Liverpool after Stephen Ireland suffered a sickening first-half injury.

Ireland, who played for Manchester City, Aston Villa and Stoke City during his 13-year professional career, was playing for Wythenshawe – a Sunday League team that has gone viral of late – when the incident occurred.

With just under half an hour played, the 39-year-old was on the receiving end of a crunching studs-up challenge.

Ireland was left in a heap on the ground after the sickening collision and play was halted. According to TikTok user Warringtonrylandsfan, who posted the clip, it took around 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive on the scene.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who was surrounded by his friends and family as he received treatment at the Quickline Arena, home of Warrington Rylands, was taken to hospital by ambulance.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT BELOW

A report from the Manchester Evening News confirmed that the match was abandoned and Ireland, as well as his wife Jess, will keep the club up to date with further updates when appropriate.

In a statement on Instagram, 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."

Wythenshawe Vets also posted an update, adding: "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."

As mentioned above, Wythenshawe Vets have gone viral for their stacked over-35s squad.

This season, Ireland has been joined by Joleon Lescott, Nedum Onuoha, Emile Heskey, Papiss Cisse, Maynor Figueroa, George Boyd and Oumar Niasse, to name just a few.

Danny Drinkwater, a Premier League title winner with Leicester City, is signed on, while former Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia, as pictured above, has also featured in the blue and white.

"I just wanted to get out of the house and have some fitness and kick a ball around on a Sunday morning," Ireland told SPORTbible when asked about his decision to play for the Sunday League team.

"This isn't my thing," he added. "I was invited to play so I said yes and went along and loved it, so I continued to play and more ex-pros followed for the same reasons as me."