STEPHEN IRELAND had a bizarre clause in his Newcastle contract which meant he only played twice.
The former Premier League star moved on loan to St. James’ Park from Aston Villa in 2011.
However, he went on to make just two appearances during his half-a-season stay on Tyneside.
Ireland has now revealed that this was due to a clause in the deal which meant Newcastle would have to pay £50,000 each time he played.
In addition, Ireland could only play a total of four times for the Magpies.
The retired midfielder exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “I felt really good about myself, and then the next thing you know Alan Pardew is calling me into his office.
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“‘Just so you’re aware, part of this loan which you don’t know about is that we can only use you four times.’
“Four times in a whole half a season. That was what Aston Villa had agreed with Newcastle.
“Alan explained that I was going to cost the club £50,000 per appearance, whether that’s me coming on for one minute or playing a full 90… I could only make four appearances and each of them would cost the club £50,000.
“Alan explained he was going to have to be smart with how he used me, because he was limited to just four appearances.
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“It was honestly just ridiculous. I was just like ‘what am I doing here?’ It was the most ridiculous deal I’d ever heard in my life.
“They brought me on for my debut at home, against Manchester United, with about 20 minutes to go.
“We drew the game 0-0, I should have scored to win it for us. Don’t get me wrong, the experience was incredible, the fans were amazing.
“But all I was thinking was ‘that’s fifty grand, there, and I’ve got three appearances left.’
“I played in the next game, away at Blackpool, and I came on again, for something like 20 minutes.
“That was two appearances, about 40 minutes, costing Newcastle £100,000.”
Overall, Ireland made 245 Premier League appearances during his career.
As well as his spells with Newcastle and Villa, he also played in the top flight for Stoke and Manchester City.
Ireland retired aged 32 in 2018 after a short stint with Bolton in the Championship.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
