In a candid revelation, Wrexham’s captain James McClean shared a harrowing glimpse into his childhood, recounting how he was involved in making and hurling petrol bombs as early as 11 years old. He also expressed his fear of being targeted for refusing to wear a Remembrance Day poppy.

At 36, the Republic of Ireland international has frequently spoken about his upbringing in Derry, a city deeply affected by the Troubles, and his opposition to the British army’s involvement in the conflict. This stance has influenced his decision to abstain from wearing a poppy on his kit, a choice that has sparked death threats and anti-Irish hostility over the years.

Reflecting on his youth, McClean recalled, “Riots were a constant occurrence, and I was part of them. By the time I was 11, I knew how to make and throw petrol bombs.” The intensity of his experiences during these formative years has clearly shaped his perspectives and decisions.

His refusal to wear the poppy first stirred controversy during his tenure at Sunderland. The club issued a statement indicating that the decision was McClean’s own, which ignited public outrage and threats against him. He described the ongoing poppy controversy as “a pain,” reflecting on the immense pressure he faced at just 23 years old. “The club told me not to say anything, assuring me it would blow over, and I believed them,” he recounted.

McClean’s story is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding personal and national identities, especially in regions marked by historical conflict. His experiences highlight the challenges faced by individuals who make personal choices that diverge from widely accepted norms.

James McClean (right), pictured with wife Erin, says 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 

‘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…

James’ younger brother Patrick McClean (pictured) was investigated by his football club after he was spotted at a New IRA parade where petrol bombers attacked police in April 

‘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. 

In 2018, McClean was described as a ‘super-Provo’ – meaning a supporter of the Provisional Irish Republican Army – by Belfast City Council member Chris McGimpsey. 

McGimpsey then apologised and was instructed by the Northern Irish High Court to pay damages of £63,000 to McClean, admitting what he said was false. 

In April this year, McCLean’s brother Patrick who plays for Glentoran in the NIFL Premiership, was under investigation by his football club after appearing to attend a dissident republican parade linked to the new IRA in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Footage of Patrick was widely circulated online which seemingly showed him walking past a masked colour party making its way from Creggan to Free Derry Corner in the Bogside.

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

Reportedly up to 200 people – many young – took part in the parade with the majority wearing paramilitary-style clothing, in contravention of a Parades Commission ruling. Several petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at police monitoring the parade from the Derry Walls and part of the city’s wall were closed to the public.

The footage of McClean, a 28-year-old defender, showed him wearing a black hoodie. The annual parade in Derry marks the Easter Rising against British rule in Dublin in 1916.

Older brother James, is a midfielder, who has played more than 100 times for the Republic of Ireland and also been a stalwart for the likes of Wigan, West Brom and Stoke, is now at Championship side Wrexham under Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. 

He was in a serious car crash in January this year while driving to work but miraculously escaped unharmed having flipped the vehicle four times. 

He explained: ‘I was driving to work and it was foggy, you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. 

The Wrexham star is still going strong at 36 and has scored twice for the club this season 

‘So I came out from behind a lorry and obviously picked up speed to do that and I thought I had more road than I did and the roundabout just appeared.

‘As I put the brakes on, the back end of the car just spun and hit the path and tumbled four times and landed the right side up… it happened that quickly.’

Fortunately, McLean was not harmed in the accident and his minor injuries did not prevent him from playing.  

McClean has turned out eight times for Wrexham this season, scoring twice, with the Welsh side currently down in 18th having been promoted last term.