A cursory read of Irish history from King James I until the present day should offer some clues as to McClean's behaviour. He's gone out his way to be inflammatory at times, but there is legitimate sentiment behind his actions. I'm not going to yammer on about burning the Union Jack and so forth, but the echoes of rampant & merciless colonialism are still felt by some, many of whom have lost family members within living memory (again, not sure McClean has, but his grievance is fully understandable).
I don't want to instigate a fight at all, but blind loyalism will always lead to this sort of awkward questioning and suggestions that Irish people should put up & shut up are hideously offensive.
A cursory read of Irish history from King James I until the present day should offer some clues as to McClean's behaviour. He's gone out his way to be inflammatory at times, but there is legitimate sentiment behind his actions. I'm not going to yammer on about burning the Union Jack and so forth, but the echoes of rampant & merciless colonialism are still felt by some, many of whom have lost family members within living memory (again, not sure McClean has, but his grievance is fully understandable).
I don't want to instigate a fight at all, but blind loyalism will always lead to this sort of awkward questioning and suggestions that Irish people should put up & shut up are hideously offensive.
Again, Mr McClean is free to pursue his career in literally any country he chooses? If the history of Ireland "from King James I" until present day influences his thoughts so much to the extent that he can't observe the British national anthem why on earth would he choose to live and work in the UK ?
Surely everyone has a right to peaceful protest even if others do not agree with the messaging. Not a bloke I would choose to share a beer with but not someone I am going to get hugely offended by from these actions either.
I hate God Save The Queen, it's an uninspiring, boring and dreary song. How that is meant to gear you up for a sporting match I will never know. It needs to be changed to Jerusalem as soon as, then maybe our national team will actually play like they give a shit.
The beauty of living in England is you are not forced to do things you don't want too,
McLean is a prick Imo for his actions but I have a begruding respect for him that he chooses to so publicly lay his cards out on the table and to hell with the response as he don't care, I think it's a view that highlights that things will never be peaceful in that area but that are a hell of a lot better,
As for pm's to a woman that are offensive is a low act and b put their names up here , as it's a cowardly act
I hate God Save The Queen, it's an uninspiring, boring and dreary song. How that is meant to gear you up for a sporting match I will never know. It needs to be changed to Jerusalem as soon as, then maybe our national team will actually play like they give a shit.
Think that is from the Alan Bignose book of excuses
God I can only apologise I was on a right old wind up last night. Being an idiot. Sorry. . Too much summer Sunday afternoon pimms. It was the owned the NI conflict comment that got me annoyed.
I didn't get any messages and I actually think Macleans a cock from the poppy shirt saga. Think that was him?
He doesn't have to sing the anthem tho. I know from experience how much we are hated and I include the Scots in that too.
Not a bloke I would choose to share a beer with but not someone I am going to get hugely offended by from these actions either.
He's a LONDONderry boy, if you were in his home town you'd get your head kicked in for just trying to get in to his local boozer let alone having a drink there. (Not that you'd want to.) BTW we've a couple of LONDONderry boys on our books - the Kennedy brothers - wonder how they'd get on in similar circumstances?
Not a bloke I would choose to share a beer with but not someone I am going to get hugely offended by from these actions either.
He's a LONDONderry boy, if you were in his home town you'd get your head kicked in for just trying to get in to his local boozer let alone having a drink there. (Not that you'd want to.) BTW we've a couple of LONDONderry boys on our books - the Kennedy brothers - wonder how they'd get on in similar circumstances?
Right as a loyal subject of this Great Nation, I think he has a right to his own views however I do think he doesn't do himself any favours with the way he behaves. Turning your back on the National Anthem is childish and unlikely to endear himself to anybody. Everyone is aware of his stance why not simply bow your head and then he can claim he was blocking it out if he is questioned.
God I can only apologise I was on a right old wind up last night. Being an idiot. Sorry. . Too much summer Sunday afternoon pimms. It was the owned the NI conflict comment that got me annoyed.
I didn't get any messages and I actually think Macleans a cock from the poppy shirt saga. Think that was him?
He doesn't have to sing the anthem tho. I know from experience how much we are hated and I include the Scots in that too.
either way the guy is an attention seeking bell end, he obviously has the right not to observe the NA/wear a poppy but he doesn't have to deliberately draw attention to it like he is trying to score points back home.
He's a bell cheddar. So are the people defending him and the people offended by his actions. Growing up in Glasgow I realised the whole thing was a tragic shit show, a long time ago.
The poppy incident --its up to him to wear or not. Although he should remember the many Irish men who died in the two World wars.
The fact he turned his back on the countries anthem , the same country he CHOSE to come to to and play and take the pound notes from----he should walk away to the ROI or anywhere in Europe.
Just heard a Charlton scout was over here looking at Derry City FCs 22 year old striker James Mclean, there has been a bit of hype about him alright but have yet to see him in action.
MAYBE he could be that extra young striker we need
God I can only apologise I was on a right old wind up last night. Being an idiot. Sorry. . Too much summer Sunday afternoon pimms. It was the owned the NI conflict comment that got me annoyed.
I didn't get any messages and I actually think Macleans a cock from the poppy shirt saga. Think that was him?
He doesn't have to sing the anthem tho. I know from experience how much we are hated and I include the Scots in that too.
The Poppy. It's his choice. For me, it is a commemoration of the dead, and the brave people who died inidiotic conflicts, and he should try to remember there were Irish dead too, but if he chooses not to, he is well within his rights. The National Anthem. I loathe it, and would'nt sing it. If he chooses not to, again it's his choice. However, you do get to a point where you wonder why he's earning his crust here. My view has always been that the Irish debate has a lot of stuff in which England and Parliament should hang their heads in shame. However, we try and move on. If he's so anti English, he should pack up and ship out. There's lots of countries where none of that stuff happens.
either way the guy is an attention seeking bell end, he obviously has the right not to observe the NA/wear a poppy but he doesn't have to deliberately draw attention to it like he is trying to score points back home.
This is where im at with him. Its the fact he went out of his way to not turn around. He hasn't 'offended me'...i just think he's a crater-faced little prick.
Maybe he should "hang his head in shame" then after he goes the very short distance to Brum where his fellow country man and woman planted nail bombs under seats in packed pubs on a friday night after chatting to the punters and then blowing 22 of them to bits.
God I was out of order last night and spouting nonsense. I am genuinely sorry. I try not to get involved in this sort of stuff and hadn't really followed it but I can only agree, he should piss off elsewhere to earn his living.
I wanted to write to you before talking about this face to face and explain my reasons for not wearing a poppy on my shirt for the game at Bolton.
I have complete respect for those who fought and died in both World Wars - many I know were Irish-born. I have been told that your own Grandfather Paddy Whelan, from Tipperary, was one of those.
I mourn their deaths like every other decent person and if the Poppy was a symbol only for the lost souls of World War I and II I would wear one.
I want to make that 100% clear .You must understand this.
But the Poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.
For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different. Please understand, Mr Whelan, that when you come from Creggan like myself or the Bogside, Brandywell or the majority of places in Derry, every person still lives in the shadow of one of the darkest days in Ireland’s history – even if like me you were born nearly 20 years after the event. It is just a part of who we are, ingrained into us from birth.
Mr Whelan, for me to wear a poppy would be as much a gesture of disrespect for the innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles – and Bloody Sunday especially - as I have in the past been accused of disrespecting the victims of WWI and WWII.
It would be seen as an act of disrespect to those people; to my people.
I am not a war monger, or anti-British, or a terrorist or any of the accusations levelled at me in the past. I am a peaceful guy, I believe everyone should live side by side, whatever their religious or political beliefs which I respect and ask for people to respect mine in return. Since last year, I am a father and I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful world, like any parent.
I am very proud of where I come from and I just cannot do something that I believe is wrong. In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.
I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.
As the owner of the club I am proud to play for, I believe I owe both you and the club’s supporters this explanation.
I wanted to write to you before talking about this face to face and explain my reasons for not wearing a poppy on my shirt for the game at Bolton.
I have complete respect for those who fought and died in both World Wars - many I know were Irish-born. I have been told that your own Grandfather Paddy Whelan, from Tipperary, was one of those.
I mourn their deaths like every other decent person and if the Poppy was a symbol only for the lost souls of World War I and II I would wear one.
I want to make that 100% clear .You must understand this.
But the Poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.
For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different. Please understand, Mr Whelan, that when you come from Creggan like myself or the Bogside, Brandywell or the majority of places in Derry, every person still lives in the shadow of one of the darkest days in Ireland’s history – even if like me you were born nearly 20 years after the event. It is just a part of who we are, ingrained into us from birth.
Mr Whelan, for me to wear a poppy would be as much a gesture of disrespect for the innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles – and Bloody Sunday especially - as I have in the past been accused of disrespecting the victims of WWI and WWII.
It would be seen as an act of disrespect to those people; to my people.
I am not a war monger, or anti-British, or a terrorist or any of the accusations levelled at me in the past. I am a peaceful guy, I believe everyone should live side by side, whatever their religious or political beliefs which I respect and ask for people to respect mine in return. Since last year, I am a father and I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful world, like any parent.
I am very proud of where I come from and I just cannot do something that I believe is wrong. In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.
I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.
As the owner of the club I am proud to play for, I believe I owe both you and the club’s supporters this explanation.
Yours sincerely,
James McClean
Not sure any of that holds up for turning your back on The National Anthem. He's a prick.
There are lots of football clubs in Ireland (and NI) for him to play for if his feelings are so strong.
Comments
I don't want to instigate a fight at all, but blind loyalism will always lead to this sort of awkward questioning and suggestions that Irish people should put up & shut up are hideously offensive.
We both know the answer.
Bit disappointed Colin.
I'm a 100% patriot.
I hate God Save The Queen, it's an uninspiring, boring and dreary song. How that is meant to gear you up for a sporting match I will never know. It needs to be changed to Jerusalem as soon as, then maybe our national team will actually play like they give a shit.
McLean is a prick Imo for his actions but I have a begruding respect for him that he chooses to so publicly lay his cards out on the table and to hell with the response as he don't care, I think it's a view that highlights that things will never be peaceful in that area but that are a hell of a lot better,
As for pm's to a woman that are offensive is a low act and b put their names up here , as it's a cowardly act
:-)
I didn't get any messages and I actually think Macleans a cock from the poppy shirt saga. Think that was him?
He doesn't have to sing the anthem tho. I know from experience how much we are hated and I include the Scots in that too.
BTW we've a couple of LONDONderry boys on our books - the Kennedy brothers - wonder how they'd get on in similar circumstances?
either way the guy is an attention seeking bell end, he obviously has the right not to observe the NA/wear a poppy but he doesn't have to deliberately draw attention to it like he is trying to score points back home.
The poppy incident --its up to him to wear or not. Although he should remember the many Irish men who died in the two World wars.
The fact he turned his back on the countries anthem , the same country he CHOSE to come to to and play and take the pound notes from----he should walk away to the ROI or anywhere in Europe.
Or maybe he could be a Labour MP ?
The National Anthem. I loathe it, and would'nt sing it. If he chooses not to, again it's his choice. However, you do get to a point where you wonder why he's earning his crust here. My view has always been that the Irish debate has a lot of stuff in which England and Parliament should hang their heads in shame. However, we try and move on. If he's so anti English, he should pack up and ship out. There's lots of countries where none of that stuff happens.
I try not to get involved in this sort of stuff and hadn't really followed it but I can only agree, he should piss off elsewhere to earn his living.
Dear Mr Whelan
I wanted to write to you before talking about this face to face and explain my reasons for not wearing a poppy on my shirt for the game at Bolton.
I have complete respect for those who fought and died in both World Wars - many I know were Irish-born. I have been told that your own Grandfather Paddy Whelan, from Tipperary, was one of those.
I mourn their deaths like every other decent person and if the Poppy was a symbol only for the lost souls of World War I and II I would wear one.
I want to make that 100% clear .You must understand this.
But the Poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.
For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different. Please understand, Mr Whelan, that when you come from Creggan like myself or the Bogside, Brandywell or the majority of places in Derry, every person still lives in the shadow of one of the darkest days in Ireland’s history – even if like me you were born nearly 20 years after the event. It is just a part of who we are, ingrained into us from birth.
Mr Whelan, for me to wear a poppy would be as much a gesture of disrespect for the innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles – and Bloody Sunday especially - as I have in the past been accused of disrespecting the victims of WWI and WWII.
It would be seen as an act of disrespect to those people; to my people.
I am not a war monger, or anti-British, or a terrorist or any of the accusations levelled at me in the past. I am a peaceful guy, I believe everyone should live side by side, whatever their religious or political beliefs which I respect and ask for people to respect mine in return. Since last year, I am a father and I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful world, like any parent.
I am very proud of where I come from and I just cannot do something that I believe is wrong. In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.
I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.
As the owner of the club I am proud to play for, I believe I owe both you and the club’s supporters this explanation.
Yours sincerely,
James McClean
There are lots of football clubs in Ireland (and NI) for him to play for if his feelings are so strong.