James McClean ‘closes door’ on poppy protest controversy: Irishman’s family finds ‘huge relief’ after he quits Wrexham to join hometown club Derry City – and leaves Cheshire home to escape abuse after 15 years in England

James McClean and his family are ‘excited’ to ‘close the door’ on 15 years of regular controversy in England after moving back to Northern Ireland, his wife says.

The 36-year-old has sealed a dream move from Wrexham back to his hometown club Derry City, where he first made a name for himself and where he wants to wrap up his career. 

McClean entered English football with Sunderland in 2011 but was often abused by fans over his refusal to wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday.

His hometown, known to Republicans as Derry, was the scene for the infamous 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, in which British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march, with 14 killed.

He thus refuses to wear the poppy because he believes it commemorates all British military activity, not just the soldiers of the World Wars. His stance over the years has led to death threats and anti-Irish abuse. 

His wife, Erin, said: ‘There’s a huge sense of relief. 

They are leaving their Cheshire home after McClean’s move from Wrexham to Derry City

McClean has faced regular abuse, and even death threats, for his refusal to wear a poppy and take part in Remembrance Day activities

But to be fair, the last few years, being at Wrexham and Wigan, they have been two fantastic clubs to deal with in regards to how they’ve always supported us and had our backs. It has gotten easier the last few years, but moving home will just take it to a different level.’

She added that they were ‘closing the door’ on the abuse that had followed him throughout the English game.

Erin told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme: ‘It’s a mixture of emotions, we are so excited to get home.

“It’s something we always wanted to do is settle back. It’s just happened a bit quicker than we anticipated.

‘We have built a life here for 15 years and made great friends, so we are sad but also excited.

‘Pulling the Derry top on again and listening to him in the press conference and stuff, like after, we went out for food and were just walking along the quay and I just couldn’t stop smiling.

‘I said: “Oh my God, this is it, this is going to be our normal again doing things like this.”

‘You miss out on so much being away, weddings and family get-togethers and stuff, knowing now going forward that we’ll not have to miss out on anything like that, that’s the stuff that means the world to us.’

Erin says the family are ‘closing the door’ on the torrent of abuse he has suffered for years 

The duo have missed out on family events and are ‘excited’ to spend more time with loved ones

The duo married in 2016 and they have four children. They have remained living in Cheshire while he has been at Wrexham. 

McClean made almost 500 appearances in the English league and cup system, spending five of his seasons in the Premier League with Sunderland and West Brom.

His stint with Wrexham was highly successful, as he helped the side climb from League Two and into the Championship, where Phil Parkinson’s side are now pushing for a play-off place. 

But ever since he first refused to wear the poppy at Sunderland, he has been subjected to abuse. 

Last year, he revealed he was making and throwing petrol bombs at the age of 11 and feared he would be shot after refusing to wear a Remembrance Day poppy.

In an interview on Living with Lucy in Ireland, McClean spoke in detail about his experiences growing up during a time of conflict.

He said: ‘There would just be riots here nonstop and you’d be involved in the riots yourself. From the age of 11, 12, 13 – I knew how to make petrol bombs and knew how to throw them and you would.’

He describes the issue of the poppy as ‘a pain in my a***’ and it first became a controversy when McClean was at Sunderland. The club released a statement telling fans it was the player’s choice not to wear one, leading to a public outcry and even threats on his life.

McClean, pictured with wife Erin, says that in the past she feared he would be shot 

McClean (left), pictured during a Remembrance Day game for West Brom in 2017, has maintained his stance of refusing to wear the poppy on his kits 

He added: ‘At that age, I was 23, so I thought “the club is looking after me”. You just assume the club is looking after one of their players. They’re telling me not to say nothing, like it will blow over. I’m thinking “I believe you, it will”.

‘It didn’t. It went insane. I was getting death threats, people were saying I should be shot. I was getting bullets in the post, bullets sent to the club.

‘That night I met up with Ireland, the club had received threats that basically I was going to be shot. The game was on TV, I was going to be shot, this and that.

‘She’s (Erin, wife) back up in Newcastle, she’s panicking, she’s s****ing herself. They had to put security outside my hotel room door the whole night.

‘Then obviously we’re playing the game, Erin’s watching the game, she’s panicking, she’s thinking ‘he’s going to be shot on TV’. Thankfully nothing happened or nothing ever has happened.’

He also reiterated why he is adamant in his refusal to partake in the Remembrance Day gesture, adding: ‘I was getting death threats, people were saying he should be shot and dragged across the Cenotaph.

‘I could have easily just said, “I’ll wear a poppy,” and sold myself out and be known for my football or I’ll not wear a poppy and be known as that but I’ve stayed true to myself.

‘Six of seven people from the Creggan estate (where he grew up in Northern Ireland) died on Bloody Sunday that day so for me to wear a poppy in support of the people who carried out those atrocities… 

McClean has more than 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland in midfield 

‘It frustrates me how people can’t see that. How is it even a debate of why I should wear the poppy.’

Clubs typically sell their Remembrance Day shirts and give the proceeds to the Royal British Legion, while McLean has sold his shirts – without the poppy emblem – and given the money to a children’s charity in Ireland.

McClean insists his stance is not anti-British or anti-religious and would wear a poppy if it was confined to those who served in World War I and II.