'One thing I never will do is bend the knee': James McClean speaks ...
James McClean has said he will never “bend the knee” in response to the latest furore over his decision not to wear a poppy during Remembrance Day weekend.
The Londonderry-born footballer and former Republic of Ireland international lined out for Wrexham AFC in their 1-0 EFL League One win over Mansfield Town on Saturday.
The 35-year-old stood apart from his teammates during the minute silence before kick-off and refused to wear an embroidered poppy on his shirt.
McClean has refused to wear the poppy throughout his career.
Wrexham supporters began to chant that McClean “hates the f***ing King” just moments after the minute of silence ended at their home Racecourse Ground.
In a post on Instagram on Sunday, McClean shared an image of him standing apart from his teams with a lengthy post explaining his reasons for not wearing a poppy.
“The poppy represents for me an entire different meaning to what it does for others, am I offended by someone wearing a poppy? No absolutely not,” he said. “What does offend me tho [sic], is having the poppy try be forced upon me.”
James McClean of Wrexham stood away from his team-mates during Saturday's minute silence before the game against Mansfield Town. Pic: Gary Oakley/PA Wire.
McClean went on to reference the Bloody Sunday massacre in the Bogside area of Derry in 1972.
Soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians – killing 14 – in what was one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles.
“The poppy, which originally stood for World War One and Two has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world, including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday in January 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland,” McClean said.
“That is why I never have and never will wear a poppy. If the poppy’s sole purpose was to honour World War One and Two then I would have no issue wearing it, but that’s not the case.
“I respect those who do as I am fully aware we have different beliefs and upbringings.
"I would never force my beliefs on others. I’m not naive or stupid enough to expect the matter to be reciprocated, especially as the poppy is forced now on everyone in the UK and god forbid someone doesn’t wear it - the abuse they have to endure.
"The irony of all of this is that the poppy originally stood to honour those who fought for the right of freedom in both world wars.”
McClean added that “some people” will not or want to “educate themselves”.
In response to those who claim McClean hates England, he said some of the “best relationships” he has made has been with those born and raised in the country who have different beliefs.
“’Happy to work and live in the UK but take the King’s shilling’, ‘Send him back to his home town to work then’,” McClean continued.
"Well the sad matter of fact is if I did, I would still be getting paid in the ‘King’s shillings’ - unfortunately which [is] part of the whole problem to begin with.
“One thing I never have and never will do, is bend the knee to compromise my convictions.”
McClean joined the Welsh side in August last year and paid a reported £250,000 to secure his services.
The club has risen to prominence and success on the pitch after being bought by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds in November 2020, with a Disney+ documentary following the club’s growth since then.
In April, Wrexham secured a second successive promotion and reached the League One division.
During those promotion celebrations, McClean joined in with in fans who again started singing an anti-monarchy chant.
