Im a peaceful guy that isn't anti-british, yet i make a point of disrespecting in front of thousands of people, the national anthem of the country of origin of the club i'm representing and employed by, where i live, where i earn my money and where i bring my children up.
In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.
I certainly would want to commemorate those who lost their lives in conflict, especially as I think WW2 was a justified war, and my take on WW1 was toffs sending ordinary folk out to die pointlessly for them. My grandfather was both on the Somme but very much a Republican sympathiser during the 'black and tan' era in Ireland. Nationalism, and national anthems are a more tricky thing for me. For example I love the way countries like Wales celebrate their community, and I find the Welsh national song sung at sporting events quite thrilling. However I then stumble over concepts of nationalism as promoted by the far right in places throughout the world, and I find that threatening. The American KKK for example say they are protecting American values, but like many extreme nationalists (including the IRA), that 'protection' usually involves the cowardly slaughtering of innocents.
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
Perhaps he should have said
"Dear Mr Whelan
I still have friends and relatives in the staunch republican areas of my home town and know their lives and well-being will be at severe risk if I show any respect at all to the UK, its army or its symbols."
We might then consider his point of view a valid one. But he should still go and earn his living elsewhere.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
that was only because they were in the states and they play theirs before all sporting events and they were just being courteous by playing GSTQ
Must say I've never really understood all this poppy thing, for me the politics of wars is separate to commemorating those who've died in war, after all they put their necks on the line, thats what poppies mean to me, not whether I agree with every individual war. Perhaps I see this too simplistically but there you are.
I don't like singing the anthem because I don't believe in God or the Queen, nor blind loyalism which seems to be rooted in a very political and ugly nationalist struggle that has little place in our modern world. Although I do think tradition can be very good thing when its positive, it adds colour and definition to our culture. I think some of our colonial past is to be ashamed of, but also that some of it is to be proud of, and I also believe in brotherhood between British nations.
Its time to leave all this bollocks behind and celebrate our brother (and sisterhood), not wallow in our differences - more than ever we need to unite against the ideas of those who have little respect for decent and peaceful values, of live and let live.
Must say I've never really understood all this poppy thing, for me the politics of wars is separate to commemorating those who've died in war, after all they put their necks on the line, thats what poppies mean to me, not whether I agree with every individual war. Perhaps I see this too simplistically but there you are.
I don't like singing the anthem because I don't believe in God or the Queen, nor blind loyalism which seems to be rooted in a very political and ugly nationalist struggle that has little place in our modern world. Although I do think tradition can be very good thing when its positive, it adds colour and definition to our culture. I think some of our colonial past is to be ashamed of, but also that some of it is to be proud of, and I also believe in brotherhood between British nations.
Its time to leave all this bollocks behind and celebrate our brother (and sisterhood), not wallow in our differences - more than ever we need to unite against the ideas of those who have little respect for decent and peaceful values, of live and let live.
i'm pretty sure at least one of those two exist mate.......
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
If he had balls he'd go and ply his trade in a country he likes, not one (whose previous actions) he hates
He stood with his head bowed, arms clasped behind his back and stood still for the anthem. That seems like a lot more respect than I have seen given to many national anthems by other sportsmen or fans alike whether it is their own, or anybody else's.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
If he had balls he'd go and ply his trade in a country he likes, not one (whose previous actions) he hates
You go where the work takes you. Maybe only English/British clubs want him.
He stood with his head bowed, arms clasped behind his back and stood still for the anthem. That seems like a lot more respect than I have seen given to many national anthems by other sportsmen or fans alike whether it is their own, or anybody else's.
...and the complete wrong way to everyone else. 'Look at me and how much a w*nker im being'.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
If he had balls he'd go and ply his trade in a country he likes, not one (whose previous actions) he hates
You go where the work takes you. Maybe only English/British clubs want him.
He stood with his head bowed, arms clasped behind his back and stood still for the anthem. That seems like a lot more respect than I have seen given to many national anthems by other sportsmen or fans alike whether it is their own, or anybody else's.
...and the complete wrong way to everyone else. 'Look at me and how much a w*nker im being'.
also he does initially turn with the team before making a point of turning back.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
If he had balls he'd go and ply his trade in a country he likes, not one (whose previous actions) he hates
You go where the work takes you. Maybe only English/British clubs want him.
I am pretty sure they play football in Ireland
Semi pro. Players laid off at the end of the season for a few weeks so the clubs don't have to pay wages out of seasons. None of them could afford a player of his level except at the very start of his career or the very end of it.
I don't sing the national anthem ever. Not because of political reasons I just dont like the songs content. We should have something like Waterloo by Abba as our national choon. Stirring Stuff indeed! Into battle lads...
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
If he had balls he'd go and ply his trade in a country he likes, not one (whose previous actions) he hates
You go where the work takes you. Maybe only English/British clubs want him.
I am pretty sure they play football in Ireland
Semi pro. Players laid off at the end of the season for a few weeks so the clubs don't have to pay wages out of seasons. None of them could afford a player of his level except at the very start of his career or the very end of it.
So as said a number of times above - his wallet comes before his principles and beliefs
It's not the first time he's pulled a stunt like this for attention, and 70+ comments on this thread just show that he's got the attention he was craving.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
If he had balls he'd go and ply his trade in a country he likes, not one (whose previous actions) he hates
You go where the work takes you. Maybe only English/British clubs want him.
I am pretty sure they play football in Ireland
Semi pro. Players laid off at the end of the season for a few weeks so the clubs don't have to pay wages out of seasons. None of them could afford a player of his level except at the very start of his career or the very end of it.
Sammy Morrow done the same thing in the FAI Cup final for Derry, when he turned away from tricolour during Amhrán na bhFiann in 2008 , I'm sure some of those criticising James Mclean would be calling Morrow a hero.
Sammy Morrow done the same thing in the FAI Cup final for Derry, when he turned away from tricolour during Amhrán na bhFiann in 2008 , I'm sure some of those criticising James Mclean would be calling Morrow a hero.
Sammy Morrow done the same thing in the FAI Cup final for Derry, when he turned away from tricolour during Amhrán na bhFiann in 2008 , I'm sure some of those criticising James Mclean would be calling Morrow a hero.
What did the Irish make of it in Ireland?
Much the same as what's being said now, just on the other side of the coin.
Sammy Morrow done the same thing in the FAI Cup final for Derry, when he turned away from tricolour during Amhrán na bhFiann in 2008 , I'm sure some of those criticising James Mclean would be calling Morrow a hero.
Derry's in the United Kingdom - so presumably Morrow is a British man, making his living in Britain so there's a pretty clear difference with McClean who self identifies as Irish and has chosen to move to England to make money.
Sammy Morrow done the same thing in the FAI Cup final for Derry, when he turned away from tricolour during Amhrán na bhFiann in 2008 , I'm sure some of those criticising James Mclean would be calling Morrow a hero.
Derry's in the United Kingdom - so presumably Morrow is a British man, making his living in Britain so there's a pretty clear difference with McClean who self identifies as Irish and has chosen to move to England to make money.
Derry City FC play their football in the League of Ireland in the Premier Division, the top tier of league football in the Republic of Ireland.
Sammy Morrow done the same thing in the FAI Cup final for Derry, when he turned away from tricolour during Amhrán na bhFiann in 2008 , I'm sure some of those criticising James Mclean would be calling Morrow a hero.
Derry's in the United Kingdom - so presumably Morrow is a British man, making his living in Britain so there's a pretty clear difference with McClean who self identifies as Irish and has chosen to move to England to make money.
Derry City FC play their football in the League of Ireland in the Premier Division, the top tier of league football in the Republic of Ireland.
Comments
Im a peaceful guy that isn't anti-british, yet i make a point of disrespecting in front of thousands of people, the national anthem of the country of origin of the club i'm representing and employed by, where i live, where i earn my money and where i bring my children up.
In life, if you’re a man you should stand up for what you believe in.
Unless you get paid 60k a week.
Yours sincerely,
James McClean
Nationalism, and national anthems are a more tricky thing for me. For example I love the way countries like Wales celebrate their community, and I find the Welsh national song sung at sporting events quite thrilling. However I then stumble over concepts of nationalism as promoted by the far right in places throughout the world, and I find that threatening. The American KKK for example say they are protecting American values, but like many extreme nationalists (including the IRA), that 'protection' usually involves the cowardly slaughtering of innocents.
"Dear Mr Whelan
I still have friends and relatives in the staunch republican areas of my home town and know their lives and well-being will be at severe risk if I show any respect at all to the UK, its army or its symbols."
We might then consider his point of view a valid one. But he should still go and earn his living elsewhere.
I'm British and I don't respond to any anthem as I believe that nationalism is a curse on humanity. At least he's not being hypocritical and has the balls to do what he believes. And the anthem before a club game ffs.
I don't like singing the anthem because I don't believe in God or the Queen, nor blind loyalism which seems to be rooted in a very political and ugly nationalist struggle that has little place in our modern world. Although I do think tradition can be very good thing when its positive, it adds colour and definition to our culture. I think some of our colonial past is to be ashamed of, but also that some of it is to be proud of, and I also believe in brotherhood between British nations.
Its time to leave all this bollocks behind and celebrate our brother (and sisterhood), not wallow in our differences - more than ever we need to unite against the ideas of those who have little respect for decent and peaceful values, of live and let live.
Not because of political reasons I just dont like the songs content.
We should have something like Waterloo by Abba as our national choon.
Stirring Stuff indeed! Into battle lads...
I am sure they play that particular tune at the Welsh FA Cup final.
Edit - or was it the playoffs ?