“People say I am being disrespectful, but don’t ask why I choose not to wear it.”
Derry-native James McClean was once again subject to serious abuse from opposition fans during Wrexham’s defeat to Shrewsbury Town on Thursday.
The 35-year-old – with over 100 Ireland caps to his name – is used to making headlines for his anti-poppy/Remembrance Day stance, making him a prime target for rival supporters throughout his career in England.
He has previously said: “If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I’d wear it without a problem. I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing but it doesn’t. It stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in. Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that.
“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, what does offend me tho (sic), is having the poppy try be forced upon me.”
“People say I am being disrespectful, but don’t ask why I choose not to wear it.”
Now sitting third in League One, Wrexham suffered a 2-1 defeat to strugglers Shrewsbury Town on Thursday, with McClean on the end of significant chanting and from rival fans.
He responded with an explicit Instagram post, saying:
In fairness if I was born and raised in Shrewsbury I’d probably be this angry as well cause it’s an absolute cesspit full of inbreds.
A few hours later, McClean had deleted the post.
Wrexham equalised and early in the second half a daft foul by the Wrexham player handed Town the initiative.
— Shropshire and Midlands Jacks🦢 (@ShropshireJacks) January 16, 2025
Again, behind the goal and Block 18 and Block 19 lost it 😂.
Great atmosphere!
Wrexham fans to be fair backed their team initially after the goal but their team were😒 pic.twitter.com/MYjVTu3ZQa
