James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[mark12345]

I think the reasons why they don't fit in to a foreign culture are obvious. The other nationalities you mention are far more open to other cultures, their international careers are largely unaffected, and in some cases enhanced. Here, you basically have to play in England or for Celtic, otherwise you're out of sight and out of mind, as far as the national team is concerned.

The poppy is a political symbol. This is British culture, and if they believe that wearing that for 3 long weeks is commemorating something they had nothing to do with, honouring people they don't know and never met, that's their right. They should also respect that if you don't believe in someone else's political cause, you should not be forced to honour it.

Wearing the poppy used to be one day a year. Then it was a weekend, a whole week, and now it's an annual propaganda marathon for the British Army. The wearing of the poppy is a political symbol. McClean, as with other foreign players, should not be forced to honour the British Army, regardless who pays them.

No one is being forced to do anything in this situation. The English fans involved are taking it upon themselves to honour their fallen army members who died, as I say, defending the country during two world wars. They are doing this out of a sense of duty and respect to those who served their country. The fact that James, and the other foreign players you mention (which I haven't yet seen), do not join in in this display of respect, makes them outcasts. James isn't being forced to do anything. He is choosing not to join the ceremony, and the perception English fans have of him is never going to change because of this. Why go through the hassel of putting yourself at loggerheads with a whole country when you can play your football somewhere else.

[The Fly]

No one is being forced to do anything in this situation. The English fans involved are taking it upon themselves to honour their fallen army members who died, as I say, defending the country during two world wars. They are doing this out of a sense of duty and respect to those who served their country.

It's none of our business I suppose, but why have these displays of remembrance grown to such an extent that they now resemble a festival? It continues to grow the further we move away from those events. It's very much a recent thing in football too.

Just a thought ~ As well as refusing to wear one James could also elect to wear the white poppy or this new(?) shamrock poppy.

The fact that James, and the other foreign players you mention (which I haven't yet seen), do not join in in this display of respect, makes them outcasts.

Nemanja Matić of Man United chose not to wear one.

James isn't being forced to do anything. He is choosing not to join the ceremony, and the perception English fans have of him is never going to change because of this. Why go through the hassel of putting yourself at loggerheads with a whole country when you can play your football somewhere else.

It's a question only he can answer. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to fake an injury at this time of year from now on though.

[Stuttgart88]

It's none of our business I suppose, but why have these displays of remembrance grown to such an extent that they now resemble a festival? It continues to grow the further we move away from those events. It's very much a recent thing in football too.

Totally. Every year it's as if there's a "I'll remember the fallen more than you!" competition.

When I first moved to the UK I wouldn't wear a poppy. Irish people just don't wear poppies was my thinking. But I'm married to to an English girl, her family is all English and many friends and colleagues were British. It was the Blair years and Anglo-Irish relations were good and life felt good before the financial crash. So for a few years I wore one, just as many Irish TV celebs and footballers did. But the political climate changed and you couldn't help but notice at the same time that football was going daft at poppy time of year, with Chelsea and Rangers making almost comically huge fuss over the size of their displays, and the biggest critics of non-wearers are from scumbag squaddie unionist types, the hard core Eurosceptic right and all that type so I just said stuff it, this doesn't feel right anymore so I stopped again about ten years ago.

Also, the white poppy isn't just a way of respecting the dead without supporting the Legion. It's also an explicit support for pacifism (and a specific pacifist movement / organisation?) as far as I know. I don't know about the shamrock poppy.

[Gather round]

McClean was referred (as the 'footballer from Derry' not by name) on this week's BBC Radio show Moral Maze. The Panel was discussing basically whether as a nation/ society we should increase remembrance (so that the lost generation will be honored after they've all died), or alternatively scale it down (because given their deaths, we'll reach a point where there's no-one left alive that knew them, and anyway militarism is innappropriate).

It's not really about WW1 of course. There's a spike this year for the Centenary but the fetish season has been getting bigger since the Middle-Eastern wars 15 or 20 years ago. Brexit has accelerated this. England has become a giant, more ill-informed version of NI- and it's notable that even in the latter we didn't have a month of hysteria when I was at school in the 70s.

I wear a poppy every year, usually for a day or two. As a teenager I'd occasionally delay or forget, only to be reminded by my mother. Of course nowadays it's impossible to forget as everyone on TV etc. feels obliged to wear a giant one.

This is likely to continue awhile yet, although at some point you'd hope the poppied pizzas and onesies will fade away. Until that happens I doubt many public figures will be as brave as McClean or Matic.

[mypost]

No one is being forced to do anything in this situation. The English fans involved are taking it upon themselves to honour their fallen army members who died, as I say, defending the country during two world wars. They are doing this out of a sense of duty and respect to those who served their country. The fact that James, and the other foreign players you mention (which I haven't yet seen), do not join in in this display of respect, makes them outcasts. James isn't being forced to do anything.

Oh I get why the Brits do it. They think that their soldiers lives were more important, than those from other countries in wars and conflicts. Like I said, no other country is as fanatical about wearing a poppy than they are. It's the forcing of other nationalities to comply with their cause that I have an issue with.

On Sky last week, a female journalist from South Africa had to face an inquisition from 3 English male counterparts about why she wouldn't wear it on their tv show. Basically it's not her culture and wearing it won't make them come home.

The next campaign that everyone has to toe the line about, is the shoelaces, even players from a socially conservative background, and with strong socially conservative beliefs.

But when a coach wears a ribbon about prisoners in his homeland, then the FA remind him that the football field is not the place to promote political causes. And they're right, it's not. But that applies to all causes, not just the ones they don't approve of.

[mark12345]

It's none of our business I suppose, but why have these displays of remembrance grown to such an extent that they now resemble a festival? It continues to grow the further we move away from those events. It's very much a recent thing in football too.

Just a thought ~ As well as refusing to wear one James could also elect to wear the white poppy or this new(?) shamrock poppy.



Nemanja Matić of Man United chose not to wear one.



It's a question only he can answer. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts to fake an injury at this time of year from now on though.

Don't think the white poppy would work but fair play to you, you make some decent points - Fly. Didn't know that about Matic. Cheers.

[mark12345]

Oh I get why the Brits do it. They think that their soldiers lives were more important, than those from other countries in wars and conflicts. Like I said, no other country is as fanatical about wearing a poppy than they are. It's the forcing of other nationalities to comply with their cause that I have an issue with.

On Sky last week, a female journalist from South Africa had to face an inquisition from 3 English male counterparts about why she wouldn't wear it on their tv show. Basically it's not her culture and wearing it won't make them come home.

The next campaign that everyone has to toe the line about, is the shoelaces, even players from a socially conservative background, and with strong socially conservative beliefs.

But when a coach wears a ribbon about prisoners in his homeland, then the FA remind him that the football field is not the place to promote political causes. And they're right, it's not. But that applies to all causes, not just the ones they don't approve of.

A couple of issues with what you say. Ok so you feel the British think the lives of their soldiers were more important than.........who exactly? Would you be talking perhaps about the lives of your mother and father and my mother and father who were allowed to have children (you and I) due to the bravery of those soldiers (British, French, Dutch, Norwegian etc etc and of course Irish soldiers) who defended our countries during the World Wars? I don't think the British public feel anyone's life is more important than another's, but they are just thankful to be living in a free society instead of the alternative. So before you criticize that ceremony (which was observed with impeccable silence at Cardiff City this morning to include Shane Duffy and Greg Cunningham) I would remember that humankind was saved and you and I have benefitted to the point that we live in a time when the toughest thing we do all day is exercise our fingers on a screen, while those lads back 75 years ago were up to their eyes in flying mortar shells, starvation and fear of torture).

On the subject of the football field not being the place to promote political causes. I would agree with you on that. However when the whole country has done this for three-quarters of a century and you or me (foreigners) are trying to tell them (in their own country) that they cannot observe the ceremony any longer - well that's a bit of a non starter I would say.

And regarding remembrance ceremonies across the world (they are done in America and Australia and France, and I'm sure many other countries) I am all for them in general. Why? Because we live in a time when many out there are trying to rewrite our history and tell us that things we know to be true never happened at all (case in point - not so long ago I was told on a message board that there was no such thing as Irish slavery).

[mypost]

A couple of issues with what you say. Ok so you feel the British think the lives of their soldiers were more important than.........who exactly? Would you be talking perhaps about the lives of your mother and father and my mother and father who were allowed to have children (you and I) due to the bravery of those soldiers (British, French, Dutch, Norwegian etc etc and of course Irish soldiers) who defended our countries during the World Wars? I don't think the British public feel anyone's life is more important than another's, but they are just thankful to be living in a free society instead of the alternative. So before you criticize that ceremony (which was observed with impeccable silence at Cardiff City this morning to include Shane Duffy and Greg Cunningham) I would remember that humankind was saved and you and I have benefitted to the point that we live in a time when the toughest thing we do all day is exercise our fingers on a screen, while those lads back 75 years ago were up to their eyes in flying mortar shells, starvation and fear of torture).

On the subject of the football field not being the place to promote political causes. I would agree with you on that. However when the whole country has done this for three-quarters of a century and you or me (foreigners) are trying to tell them (in their own country) that they cannot observe the ceremony any longer - well that's a bit of a non starter I would say.

The idea of wearing the poppy for 3 whole weeks was not an idea a short time ago. Now it's universal in the UK. If people think wearing it is important, that's their business. But they've no right to tell those who don't or don't want to, such as McClean, to toe the line or face the consequences. He has his reasons for not wearing it, they should be respected.

Irish soldiers fought in those wars, we don't wear poppies to remember those who didn't make it back. Does that mean their lives were any less important than the Brits? No it doesn't.

Most of the world today lives in a free democratic country. Sometimes it was achieved through peaceful means, sometimes it wasn't. How is e.g. an African footballer in the EPL supposed to relate to the sacrifice of a British soldier? Forced to wear a poppy on his shirt? I don't think so.

[irishfan86]

Most of the world today lives in a free democratic country.

This is objectively false:

“The number of countries designated by Freedom in the World as Free in 2013 stood at 88, representing 45 percent of the world’s 195 polities and 40 percent of the global population. The number of Free countries decreased by two from the previous year’s report.”

https://freedomhouse.org/report/overview-fact-sheet

That said, my view on the poppy is that it should be the choice of the individual on whether to wear it or not.

I think there was a way for McClean to decline to wear the poppy in a more diplomatic way but he’s not how he’s wired.

[peadar1987]

A couple of issues with what you say. Ok so you feel the British think the lives of their soldiers were more important than.........who exactly? Would you be talking perhaps about the lives of your mother and father and my mother and father who were allowed to have children (you and I) due to the bravery of those soldiers (British, French, Dutch, Norwegian etc etc and of course Irish soldiers) who defended our countries during the World Wars? I don't think the British public feel anyone's life is more important than another's, but they are just thankful to be living in a free society instead of the alternative. So before you criticize that ceremony (which was observed with impeccable silence at Cardiff City this morning to include Shane Duffy and Greg Cunningham) I would remember that humankind was saved and you and I have benefitted to the point that we live in a time when the toughest thing we do all day is exercise our fingers on a screen, while those lads back 75 years ago were up to their eyes in flying mortar shells, starvation and fear of torture).

On the subject of the football field not being the place to promote political causes. I would agree with you on that. However when the whole country has done this for three-quarters of a century and you or me (foreigners) are trying to tell them (in their own country) that they cannot observe the ceremony any longer - well that's a bit of a non starter I would say.

And regarding remembrance ceremonies across the world (they are done in America and Australia and France, and I'm sure many other countries) I am all for them in general. Why? Because we live in a time when many out there are trying to rewrite our history and tell us that things we know to be true never happened at all (case in point - not so long ago I was told on a message board that there was no such thing as Irish slavery).

The Poppy isn't just about WW1 and WW2, it's explicitly stated to be for all British soldiers, in all wars.

That includes the ones who set up concentration camps in South Africa, butchered the Indians, and opened fire on peaceful protesters in Derry in 1972.

[liamoo11]

A couple of issues with what you say. Ok so you feel the British think the lives of their soldiers were more important than.........who exactly? Would you be talking perhaps about the lives of your mother and father and my mother and father who were allowed to have children (you and I) due to the bravery of those soldiers (British, French, Dutch, Norwegian etc etc and of course Irish soldiers) who defended our countries during the World Wars? I don't think the British public feel anyone's life is more important than another's, but they are just thankful to be living in a free society instead of the alternative. So before you criticize that ceremony (which was observed with impeccable silence at Cardiff City this morning to include Shane Duffy and Greg Cunningham) I would remember that humankind was saved and you and I have benefitted to the point that we live in a time when the toughest thing we do all day is exercise our fingers on a screen, while those lads back 75 years ago were up to their eyes in flying mortar shells, starvation and fear of torture).

On the subject of the football field not being the place to promote political causes. I would agree with you on that. However when the whole country has done this for three-quarters of a century and you or me (foreigners) are trying to tell them (in their own country) that they cannot observe the ceremony any longer - well that's a bit of a non starter I would say.

And regarding remembrance ceremonies across the world (they are done in America and Australia and France, and I'm sure many other countries) I am all for them in general. Why? Because we live in a time when many out there are trying to rewrite our history and tell us that things we know to be true never happened at all (case in point - not so long ago I was told on a message board that there was no such thing as Irish slavery).

how in the name of history do you think British soldiers defended Ireland in World War 1? Do you somehow imagine World War 1 had something to do with them central European types wanting to conquer ireland( or for that matter England)? If World War 1 had gone the other way and the brits and friends were defeated it would have been a far better outcome for Ireland and likely allowed us to regain our independence across the 32 counties given the weakened state the brits would have been in.

Might also be good to remember that the British state s inhumane treaty terms was the catalyst for World War 2 an example of jingoism at its best .that Irish slavery you mention was perpetrated over all those centuries and up to very recenltly solely by the brits so contributing to their funds to honour there war criminals is not on my agenda. world war 1 was a war between imperialistic states and their allies the outcome made no difference to humankind apart from the millions who died for nothing other than the imperialistic pride of their lesders.

The idea that the British forces at any time have had a positive influence in Ireland is laughable and the British plans to invade Ireland during world War Two should clearly show that at no time have British forces ever respected Irish sovereignty.

[Closed Account]

What I've gathered from this thread is that some people here would wear the poppy, some people wouldn't. Some people think that other people should wear the poppy and some people don't.
That's fine.

There is neither a law or moralistic reason that anyone in the UK, (British, Irish, English, Welsh, Scottish or other) suggests anyone should wear the poppy.

The only question I see, is, what is an acceptable response if you disagree with someone not wearing a poppy?

Abuse? No, not acceptable.

In my opinion ,what the poppy represents, is freedom. Freedom of choice.

If there's anyone who thinks the abuse James McClean gets for his freedom of choice not to wear a poppy, is deserved, truly don't understand what people were fighting for.

http://simondarcyonline.com/mcclean/

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/rem...licts/#ireland

[IsMiseSean]

Caught a glimpse of the Celtic game today and noticed there wasn't a poppy on their shirts.

I'm curious to the reaction of the Celtic's hardcore anti-imperialist fans if one of the Celtic players wanted to wear a poppy on their shirt today?

[Paddy Garcia]

Caught a glimpse of the Celtic game today and noticed there wasn't a poppy on their shirts.

I'm curious to the reaction of the Celtic's hardcore anti-imperialist fans if one of the Celtic players wanted to wear a poppy on their shirt today?

Why is that?

[Olé Olé]

Caught a glimpse of the Celtic game today and noticed there wasn't a poppy on their shirts.

I'm curious to the reaction of the Celtic's hardcore anti-imperialist fans if one of the Celtic players wanted to wear a poppy on their shirt today?

"Anti-imperialist"? I wonder who is pro-imperialist?

[tetsujin1979]

Celtic have had the poppy on their jerseys before as a mark of respect for their former players who died in world war one

[liamoo11]

"Anti-imperialist"? I wonder who is pro-imperialist?

I'd say every fat bald ex squadie they roll out this time of year to say how they have brought freedom to the world in the British forces are pro imperialist

[IsMiseSean]

Why is that?

It seems there is a lot of Celtic fans defending McClean's stance and I wonder would they be as understanding if it was the other way round?
I noticed John Bruton wearing some sort of shamrock poppy on RTE today and seen a few people on twitter criticising him for doing so.

Celtic have had the poppy on their jerseys before as a mark of respect for their former players who died in world war one

Yeah I remember them having one on their shirt before. I also remember a massive banner dismissing it.
Since my first post - I noticed Brendan Rodgers was wearing one at today's game.

[mark12345]

how in the name of history do you think British soldiers defended Ireland in World War 1? Do you somehow imagine World War 1 had something to do with them central European types wanting to conquer ireland( or for that matter England)? If World War 1 had gone the other way and the brits and friends were defeated it would have been a far better outcome for Ireland and likely allowed us to regain our independence across the 32 counties given the weakened state the brits would have been in.

Might also be good to remember that the British state s inhumane treaty terms was the catalyst for World War 2 an example of jingoism at its best .that Irish slavery you mention was perpetrated over all those centuries and up to very recenltly solely by the brits so contributing to their funds to honour there war criminals is not on my agenda. world war 1 was a war between imperialistic states and their allies the outcome made no difference to humankind apart from the millions who died for nothing other than the imperialistic pride of their lesders.

The idea that the British forces at any time have had a positive influence in Ireland is laughable and the British plans to invade Ireland during world War Two should clearly show that at no time have British forces ever respected Irish sovereignty.

Tets is going to reign us all in very quickly for turning this into a history debate rather than a football one - but I'm as guilty as anyone.
I should have made the distinction clearer between the World Wars - WWI as you correctly point out was between imperialsitc states and it began after the Archduke Franz Ferdinand incident. However, intelligent as your opening salvos are, you just cannot be serious when you say: "the idea that the British forces at any time have had a positive influence in Ireland is laughable."

Laughable is the correct word for that statement. Leaving the Troubles aside, we never would have been there to experience those awful times in the late 60's and early 70's had it not been for the British. They joined the Americans to fight and defeat the Germans when the rest of Europe, with a few exceptions, was lying down. You have never heard your parents say that we would have all been in concentration camps had the Nazis won the war? You mention that the British had plans to invade Ireland? I have never heard that, but I am willing to research it. Could it perhaps have been because we were refuelling German U-boats on the west coast of Ireland during WWII? Maybe, maybe not, but what you say is interesting nonetheless.

And lastly, Irish slavery was perpetrated by the British (the Vikings were the ealier slave traders). I don't dispute that for one second. All I was saying is that some people out there (not related to this site) are trying to rewrite history (and their numbers are growing), saying that there was no such thing as Irish slavery. If anybody ever debates the existence of Irish slavery with you Liamo, remind them that the natives of the island of Montserrat (in the Carribean) were but a few hundred. However in the late 1700's and early 1800's the population on the island was estimated to be 100,000. Where did all the people (slaves) come from? Answer 60 per cent from Africa, and 40 per cent from Ireland. The common denominator - the British.

[tetsujin1979]

I'll allow it, for now. But try to reach a conclusion