James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[DeLorean]

Pun of the day goes to the Derry Journal (http://m.derryjournal.com/sport/football/james-mcclean-albion-my-best-behaviour-with-baggies-1-6822048)

[Crosby87]

He kinda looks like lyle lovett there. Egads.

[tetsujin1979]

He rejoined twitter over the weekend: https://twitter.com/JamesMcC14
At least I think it's him. Darren O'Dea, Shane Duffy and Jeff Hendrick have all replied to him, which would be unlikely if it wasn't him.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He looks the spitting image of Whitey out of Me, Myself & Irene.

[Gather round]

There is a vocal "minority" of fans on the West Brom, Wigan, Burnley & Sunderland boards who don't want anything to do with him due to his stance on the poppy issue

I'm pretty sure that this (large and loud) minority is present at every club in the English Leagues. The military and events like Poppy Day are increasingly fetishised over here and crudely simplified in the tabloid and then social media.

So McClean would get stick even without his gormless (and since acknowledged) cartoon Provo antics on Twitter etc., I'm afraid.


A member of the West Brom boards referred to West Brom being a "Protestant" club and an affinity to Rangers. You really can't make it up

I think he just did. That said, there are some dodgy pubs around here where Rangers fans gather. I can provide a don't go to list if any of you are visiting.


The most eloquent fans on the boards seem to be the ones who defend his talent and freedom of choice. Take from that what you will

You admire people who agree with you?

[seanfhear]

Reply to Gather round

The whole Poppy thing has gone very Facist in England of late ! ! !

Its like "YOU WILL WEAR THE POPPY OR ELSE" which kind of undermines a lot of the stuff that many of these people fought/died/got caught up in for.

Its gone a bit weird and your use of the word "fetishised" is very apt.

[GypsyBlackCat]

In fairness, most WBA fans are disappointed with the standard of the signing. Most of them see McClean as a work horse and a waste of money. They believe their team is short of quality and quantity. McClean is just a runner with no end product, skill or flair. The whole Poppy thing is a side show.

[Desyf]

It may be a side show, but just wait until Poppy Day...

[SkStu]

Turned his back on the English anthem today in some friendly for WBA. Yikes!

Saw it on Facebook. Will post pic later. Can't do it on me mobile...

[Wolfman]

https://www.facebook.com/198539733579458/photos/a.631198950313532.1073741827.198539733579458/671407879625972/?type=1&theater

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11705212_671407879625972_2343210313113756830_n.jpg ?oh=8eea37a5dc3995acd20f0df864ac0c4d&oe=56178697

[Charlie Darwin]

Tenner bets it's bull****. Other players don't look like they're standing for an anthem.

[Wolfman]

Oh it happened, right enough. Judging by the latest social media storm.

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh well, if it's on social media it must be true.

[Wolfman]

OK, so why would someone make it up?

[Charlie Darwin]

Have you never been on the internet before?

[Wolfman]

Yes. West Brom fans and people from Derry have commented on this.
I suppose you know better. Or think you do.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yes. West Brom fans and people from Derry have commented on this.
I suppose you know better. Or think you do.
Those would be the West Brom fans and people of Derry who were in South Carolina for the match? Thought so.

[Wolfman]

You mentioned the internet so it was was televised somewhere. And guessing there were West Brom fans, if not people from Derry, there in person. Hence the source of this.

[Charlie Darwin]

So we've established you don't know if it happened, you're just assuming it must have because people are upset? Grand, I'm assuming it didn't happen because it looks like rank bull****. We'll see who's right when the ****storm settles down.

[Wolfman]

You are very odd.

Follow the links on here. Then wind your neck in.

https://www.facebook.com/westbromwichalbionofficial

[The Fly]

Bad day Charlie?

[Charlie Darwin]

You are very odd.

Follow the links on here. Then wind your neck in.

https://www.facebook.com/westbromwichalbionofficial
You'll have to point me to the links that show him turning his back or whatever they call it on an anthem. Just a couple of halfwits posting ira scum on every status.

[Wolfman]

In my OP with photo.

[Charlie Darwin]

Right, a bunch of people from Derry who weren't there either. Look, he might have been making a statement or somebody might just have photographed him looking at the ground. Either way, a photograph and a bunch of nonsense from people on the internet (me included) doesn't make it clear what happened. Either way, I'd remain sceptical until some actual evidence comes out.

[The Fly]

Starts around 3:30. Although, right after it begins a graphic covers the relevant part of the screen.

It's probably more pertinent to ask why it was played in the first place?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UabToxMHdSw

[Charlie Darwin]

See, that's all it needed, he did turn his back. That's all I needed to see, not "it's on social media so it's true". Good on him, I'd turn my back too.

edit: I actually wouldn't as I don't feel that strongly about it but I respect his choice even if it's provocative and not particularly intelligent

[seanfhear]

Maybe James is Playing his football for a club from the wrong country.

There is lots of countries with lots of clubs.

I don't particularly like God Save the Queen or Poppy wearing (Poppy wearing nazi-asm as it has become) but I am not a professional footballer wanting to be paid by and play for an English/British Club.

if James wants to continue with this (which is entirely his right) then perhaps he would have been better playing his football somewhere other than Britain (Celtic, perhaps:confused:)

Imagine for example if Irish Football clubs were doing the equivalents of the English clubs (which they at least sort of don't) and some English fella came over to play and behaved as James does.

"Would it go down well ? ? ?

Or if some English Fella managed to get himself playing for Tyrone Gaa county team (stretching things a bit here) and behaves as James does ; How would that go down.

What is Sauce for the Goose is Sauce for the Gander ! ! ! !

[Fixer82]

Non story.
He bows his head in respect but does not stand for the anthem.
You can't equate it to Tyrone GAA or even our anthem.
He's from Derry which was occupied by official British forces that killed innocent people from his community.
However, if the Irish national anthem were played and an Englishman or an American did what james just did, you know what I'd do?
Nothing! I wouldn't give a sh1t!

In fact, I'd more so question why the anthem was played. I don't really think it's appropriate for national anthems to be played for a club friendly

[Wolfman]

See, that's all it needed, he did turn his back. That's all I needed to see, not "it's on social media so it's true". Good on him, I'd turn my back too.

http://www.balls.ie/football/video-did-james-mcclean-really-turn-his-back-on-the-british-national-anthem/301693

Thanks for the apology though for being wrong.
:rolleyes:

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Why is the British anthem being played in North Carolina? There is your answer. Has anyone here been to North Carolina? I am sure they are very sympathetic to the plight of Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland. A very significant - vocal - part of that state, and surrounding states, proudly claim stock from the Scottish highlands and from Northern Ireland; "Scotch Irish" is what they erroneously call it I believe.

I think it's very suspicious that the English national anthem is played before a friendly that James McClean just happens to be playing in - possibly his first appearance for West Brom - after the firestorm over his signing. Maybe I am reading too much into it..

If the decision to play the anthem was made just to cause another firestorm with McClean to drive him out of the club, then it could turn out to be a very dangerous decision.

There are a lot of idiots in England (and Scotland) who latch on to the nationalist fervor that comes with the poppy appeal. Neil Lennon has been attacked on a football pitch and Anthony Stokes, Darren Kelly & James McClean have been threatened on social media. Aaron Doran, Richie Foran & Gary Deegan off the top of my head have been attacked on the streets of Scotland.

I fear it's a matter of time before something worse happens with the climate that's in it.

If it was me, I would stand for the anthem same as anyone else because I don't feel strongly about it one way or other, but I respect James's position, and it deserves to be respected in kind.

I think it's more pertinent to ask why the anthem was played and whether it was an innocent coincidence, rather than McClean's behavior.

[tetsujin1979]

I've been to both Carolina's, didn't had a problem with being Irish in either of them.

[DeLorean]

I think it's very suspicious that the English national anthem is played before a friendly that James McClean just happens to be playing in - possibly his first appearance for West Brom - after the firestorm over his signing. Maybe I am reading too much into it..

If the decision to play the anthem was made just to cause another firestorm with McClean to drive him out of the club, then it could turn out to be a very dangerous decision.

Sweet Lord.

[Charlie Darwin]

http://www.balls.ie/football/video-did-james-mcclean-really-turn-his-back-on-the-british-national-anthem/301693

Thanks for the apology though for being wrong.
:rolleyes:
I don't owe you an apology.


I think it's very suspicious that the English national anthem is played before a friendly that James McClean just happens to be playing in - possibly his first appearance for West Brom - after the firestorm over his signing. Maybe I am reading too much into it..

If the decision to play the anthem was made just to cause another firestorm with McClean to drive him out of the club, then it could turn out to be a very dangerous decision.
You're reading way too much into. They're American - they play the national anthem when five year olds play tag at lunchtime.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I don't remember the same apoplexy when a player turned his back on the tricolor during the FAI Cup Final in 2008, or when effigies of Irish politicians are burned every summer in Northern Ireland, or when Irish, Polish and Ivory Coast flags are burned every summer in Northern Ireland, or when grown men in bowler hats and gaudy costumes march in Catholic neighborhoods in campaigns of intimidation in Northern Ireland every summer, or when adults in Northern Ireland paint "K.A.T." (an abbrev for "Kill All Taigs") on their children's foreheads, or when members of the British Army posted pictures of themselves posing questionably in front of murals.

I don't recall any apoplexy at all from Britain's sizable Jewish community after pictures and video were released of Britain's current head of state and her family making some extremely questionable gestures that could be construed as very offensive to certain people all over the world.

IDK... maybe Irish people and Jewish people are just more mature about these things.

I think this could have easily been avoided by simply not playing the anthems or by not starting James McClean (he could have been brought on at any point during the match).

It is no secret that McClean's signing has caused an element of outrage among the West Brom support. The organisation at West Brom should have been on the ball with this. This is just going to get progressively worse now and it is going to cause all concerned an unnecessary headache.

[BonnieShels]

Why is the British anthem being played in North Carolina? There is your answer. Has anyone here been to North Carolina? I am sure they are very sympathetic to the plight of Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland. A very significant - vocal - part of that state, and surrounding states, proudly claim stock from the Scottish highlands and from Northern Ireland; "Scotch Irish" is what they erroneously call it I believe.

I think it's very suspicious that the English national anthem is played before a friendly that James McClean just happens to be playing in - possibly his first appearance for West Brom - after the firestorm over his signing. Maybe I am reading too much into it..

If the decision to play the anthem was made just to cause another firestorm with McClean to drive him out of the club, then it could turn out to be a very dangerous decision.

There are a lot of idiots in England (and Scotland) who latch on to the nationalist fervor that comes with the poppy appeal. Neil Lennon has been attacked on a football pitch and Anthony Stokes, Darren Kelly & James McClean have been threatened on social media. Aaron Doran, Richie Foran & Gary Deegan off the top of my head have been attacked on the streets of Scotland.

I fear it's a matter of time before something worse happens with the climate that's in it.

If it was me, I would stand for the anthem same as anyone else because I don't feel strongly about it one way or other, but I respect James's position, and it deserves to be respected in kind.

I think it's more pertinent to ask why the anthem was played and whether it was an innocent coincidence, rather than McClean's behavior.

I've been to NC. Not one wit is given in any real sense about "Irishness". I experienced a complete lack of interest in Ireland. It might surprise you that other people have bigger fish to fry.

GSTQ was played because The Star-Spangled Banner was played. The SSB is played before all MLS games (and O Canada when Canadian teams play).

There is no underlying motive other than Charleston being respectful to a visiting team. That's it.

The bru-ha-ha over it is again the same nationalism that occurs every October/November.


I've been to both Carolina's, didn't had a problem with being Irish in either of them.

That BBQ tho!

[tetsujin1979]

I've been to NC. Not one wit is given in any real sense about "Irishness". I experienced a complete lack of interest in Ireland. It might surprise you that other people have bigger fish to fry.

GSTQ was played because The Star-Spangled Banner was played. The SSB is played before all MLS games (and O Canada when Canadian teams play).

There is no underlying motive other than Charleston being respectful to a visiting team. That's it.

The bru-ha-ha over it is again the same nationalism that occurs every October/November.



That BBQ tho!

Damn straight! I've spent more time in South Carolina, although not by much. Can't say I notice any difference in how I was treated. Although one waitress in SC did think my accent was from Texas - it didn't offend me though.

[tetsujin1979]

I don't remember the same apoplexy when a player turned his back on the tricolor during the FAI Cup Final in 2008, or when effigies of Irish politicians are burned every summer in Northern Ireland, or when Irish, Polish and Ivory Coast flags are burned every summer in Northern Ireland, or when grown men in bowler hats and gaudy costumes march in Catholic neighborhoods in campaigns of intimidation in Northern Ireland every summer, or when adults in Northern Ireland paint "K.A.T." (an abbrev for "Kill All Taigs") on their children's foreheads, or when members of the British Army posted pictures of themselves posing questionably in front of murals.

I don't recall any apoplexy at all from Britain's sizable Jewish community after pictures and video were released of Britain's current head of state and her family making some extremely questionable gestures that could be construed as very offensive to certain people all over the world.

IDK... maybe Irish people and Jewish people are just more mature about these things.

I think this could have easily been avoided by simply not playing the anthems or by not starting James McClean (he could have been brought on at any point during the match).

It is no secret that McClean's signing has caused an element of outrage among the West Brom support. The organisation at West Brom should have been on the ball with this. This is just going to get progressively worse now and it is going to cause all concerned an unnecessary headache.
Stop trying to equate marching season in the north with a team in Carolina respectfully playing the national anthem of a visiting side. There's nothing in common.

[Stuttgart88]

McClean could well have just stood there and listened. It's what people do during foreign anthems. He's just unnecessarily drawing attention to himself. We all know he's a Derry nationalist and feels a strong sense of grievance on behalf of his community but I think it was an unnecessary and silly gesture. Not as daft as TOWK's ramblings on the issue mind you.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Tets, I'm equating the outrage over James McClean's innocuous actions with the (lack of) outrage from the same people over all those things I listed. It's the hypocrisy and myopia from a vocal minority of English football fans that irritates me.

I was bemused as to why the South Carolinians were playing the British anthem before a friendly, but now that I have a fuller picture of what went on it appears to be a normality. I didn't see why the British anthem needed to be played and hazarded a guess that it was because people from South Carolina identify and share ideals with British people owing, partly, to a shared lineage, but they would probably play the Italian or German anthem if Charleston were playing Parma or Duisburg.

It's the lack of preparedness from West Brom in failing to see how this could become an issue, and the resultant hatred and vitriol from West Brom fans that grates.

If James's own teammates, manager and club don't have an issue with what he is doing, I don't see how it is any West Brom fan's business. James is getting paid a wage by West Brom, not West Brom fans.

[tetsujin1979]

Tets, I'm equating the outrage over James McClean's innocuous actions with the (lack of) outrage from the same people over all those things I listed. It's the hypocrisy and myopia from a vocal minority of English football fans that irritates me.

I was bemused as to why the South Carolinians were playing the British anthem before a friendly, but now that I have a fuller picture of what went on it appears to be a normality. I didn't see why the British anthem needed to be played and hazarded a guess that it was because people from South Carolina identify and share ideals with British people owing, partly, to a shared lineage, but they would probably play the Italian or German anthem if Charleston were playing Parma or Duisburg.

It's the lack of preparedness from West Brom in failing to see how this could become an issue, and the resultant hatred and vitriol from West Brom fans that grates.

If James's own teammates, manager and club don't have an issue with what he is doing, I don't see how it is any West Brom fan's business. James is getting paid a wage by West Brom, not West Brom fans.

maybe not directly, but they're buying season tickets, jerseys, match programs, etc, all of which pays the staff, management and players, including McClean

[osarusan]

In a way, i don't really care what he does, but if his feelings towards the anthem (and/or the country it is the anthem of) are so strong and so close to the surface that he can't make himself do the same as everybody else and just wait for it to be over, I do wonder how he manages to survive day to day in the UK.

[TrapAPony]

Could have just faced the same way as the rest of the players and put his head down instead of standing sideways. He's just drawing unnecessary attention to himself. Bet he doesn't mind getting his wages with Liz's face on it though....:rolleyes:

[Stuttgart88]

In a way, i don't really care what he does, but if his feelings towards the anthem (and/or the country it is the anthem of) are so strong and so close to the surface that he can't make himself do the same as everybody else and just wait for it to be over, I do wonder how he manages to survive day to day in the UK.i dunno. He grew up in the UK :)

[SwanVsDalton]

i dunno. He grew up in the UK :)

The Free Republic of Creggan seceded a long time ago.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

McClean warned to tone down his "anti-English" behavior.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/james-mcclean-warned-west-brom-6097997

Hope West Brom are as proactive when it comes to blocking fans making racist comments on their official Facebook and Twitter profiles.

[TheBoss]

I remember looking at the FAI Cup final a few years back when Derry City were there and remember a few Derry players did not face the flag of Ireland when the irish anthem was been played and nobody made a fuss over it. They were well within their rights to do so.

Anthems/Flags, whatever, are political constructs and should never be used in any sport imo. UEFA and FIFA talk about football is separate from politics and yet they allow these things to happen!

[SkStu]

In a lot of ways the steadfastness of his principles is really admirable but in other ways, you just want him to wind his neck in a bit - for the sake of his career really (like a lot of us do!). He's already made a target of himself with his own fans, never mind the oppo.

Love him though.

[tetsujin1979]

McClean warned to tone down his "anti-English" behavior.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/james-mcclean-warned-west-brom-6097997

Hope West Brom are as proactive when it comes to blocking fans making racist comments on their official Facebook and Twitter profiles.

You can report comments on social media as racist to the police. Stan Collymore has done this in the past. If you feel this much about it, you should make a complaint.

[Wolfman]

I don't owe you an apology.

Of course you don't but a bit of manners wouldn't go amiss either. Rather than being downright obnoxious.

[tetsujin1979]

Scored a cracking goal in pre season last night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvG1vcyUP88?t=1m