James McClean reflects on poppy refusal that scarred his career

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 11:20 · Archive

Former Republic of Ireland international James McClean says his refusal to wear the poppy during his 14 years in English football changed him as a person.

James McClean, the former Republic of Ireland international, has reflected on the controversy surrounding his refusal to wear the poppy during his time in English football. The 37-year-old played 14 years in England, including 150 Premier League games over five seasons with Sunderland and West Brom, and became the only footballer from Northern Ireland to earn over 100 caps for Ireland.

McClean declined to wear the poppy because he felt it showed disrespect to those who died during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. His hometown, Londonderry, was the scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, in which British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians, with 14 killed. According to the Daily Mail, his stance led to a death threat that saw his house placed under police protection after he first made the decision in 2012.

McClean says the experience has profoundly affected him. 'It's completely changed me as a person,' he states. 'It's made me a bit of a recluse because I don't trust a lot of people now. I've been stung bad.' The Daily Mail reports that he has criticized Sunderland for how they handled the situation, saying the club 'hung him out to dry' by issuing a statement supporting the poppy appeal before a match, which he says drew unwanted attention to his personal decision.

How it is being reported

• Poppy protest footballer James McClean reveals former club 'hung me out to dry' over political stance - and opens up on death threat that left him in police protectionMcClean, 37, is remembered in English football for his refusal to wear the poppy because he feels it shows disrespect to people who died during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.Daily Mail Sport · 17 Oct, 11:06
• James McClean: ‘Wearing the poppy was just never going to happen’The former Republic of Ireland international on growing up in a community still reeling from the Troubles and the controversy that scarred his career “The perception of me is that, basically, I am a madman,” James McClean says calmly. “I’m outspoken. I’m a loudmouth. I’m very opinionated and I hate all things British. That’s from people who don’t know me. The reality is quite the opposite. I’m pretty boring. I go training, go home and switch off. A lot of my days are quite bland, quite basic.” McClean sounds as sane as he looks gaunt on a bleak Monday in Derry. He spent 14 years in English…Guardian Football · 17 Oct, 06:00

In this story: James McClean · Sunderland · West Brom · Republic of Ireland · Londonderry · Northern Ireland

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