The ‘ridiculous’ Aston Villa transfer that cost Newcastle United £100,000 after Man Utd decision
One of Newcastle United’s most bizarre Premier League signings saw Stephen Ireland join the club on loan from Aston Villa in January 2011.
Ireland was rehabilitating from a knee injury when he signed for Newcastle on a loan contract for £50,000 per game. A ‘ridiculous’ transfer, according to the athlete.
The former Manchester City man did not start a single game for The Magpies and was only used as a substitute twice. The midfielder’s loan stay was arguably best summed up by a trip to the city’s Tup Tup Palace nightclub with teammate Leon Best the night before Newcastle’s 4-0 defeat at Stoke City.
Ireland had to wait until April to make his debut in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United as then manager Alan Pardew decided to bring him on as a substitute before doing the same at Blackpool the following match. But that would prove to be the extent of his contributions at Newcastle as his season was brought to a premature end by an ankle injury.
However, due to the terms of his loan from Aston Villa, the player believes he didn’t have much of a chance to make an effect at Newcastle. With Ireland costing The Magpies £50,000 each game, manager Alan Pardew was only able to use him four times.
“Alan explained that he would have to be smart with how he used me because he was only allowed four appearances,” Ireland stated to Ladbrokes Fanzone. “It was completely ridiculous.” ‘What am I doing here?’ I thought. It was the most ludicrous offer I’d ever heard.
“They gave me my debut against Manchester United at home with about 20 minutes to go.” The game ended in a 0-0 tie.
“I should have scored for us to win it.” Don’t get me wrong: the experience and the crowd were great, but all I could think was, ‘That’s £50,000 there, and I’ve only got three performances left.’
“I played in the next game, away at Blackpool, and I came on for about 20 minutes.” Newcastle paid £100,000 for two appearances lasting approximately 40 minutes. What was going on? Is that correct?”
