Former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland is reportedly the man behind a 'secret' WhatsApp group used by former Premier League footballers to organise kickabouts.
Ireland was a fan favourite at City between 2005 and 2010, and he turned out for Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers. He has been clubless since 2018.
Since then the Irish midfielder has kept a low profile, turning down multiple offers to return to playing to instead provide coaching and mentoring to young players in England and Ireland.
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However, it now appears that Ireland and several of his former teammates and opponents just can't shake the bug of playing.
Speaking to The Telegraph, former Leicester City right-back and Premier League winner Danny Simpson revealed that Ireland heads a bunch of ex-pros who meet up regularly for kickabouts at an undisclosed location in Cheshire.
The likes of Joleon Lescott, Nedum Onuoha, Danny Drinkwater, John O'Shea and Ravel Morrison have all been part of the group at one time or another.
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But regardless of name and status, Ireland has one simple rule: fail to pay the losers' fee and you're out.
"People realised I wasn’t playing, and I think if you’re out of contract, someone will end up trying to recruit you. You get kicked out if you haven’t paid your loser’s fee, though!" explained Simpson, who has been a free agent since leaving Bristol City by mutual consent last season.
"I miss being around the lads every day. I’ve not been quiet about that. I do miss walking out on a Saturday but mainly… well, if you’re around 20 lads every day for 20 years, that’s hard to replace. It’s one thing being fit in terms of treadmill runs, box-to-box-sprints, but then there’s being football fit."
For some of the attendees - like Simpson - the matches aren't just a weekly get-together for retirees to keep fit. The 36-year-old is hoping to get one final crack at life in the top level of the game.
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"This is somewhere where everyone can be together in the same boat, where lads have a similar footballing morning to when contracted. Then when they’re ready to get into a club, there would be data to show the fitness coach.
"I’m not retired. If someone needs a right-back, I have to be ready. Maybe that is my last hurrah."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: John Oshea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Ravel Morrison, Football