James McClean's wife feared Wrexham star would be 'shot on TV' over poppy refusal
James McClean's refusal to wear a poppy has seen the Wrexham star suffer constant abuse throughout his career, and one instance prompted his wife, Erin, to fear for his life during a game
Wrexham star James McClean says his wife feared that he'd be 'shot' on live TV over his refusal to wear a poppy. McClean, 36, has refused to wear a poppy throughout his career, having grown up in Derry, Northern Ireland and witnessed the British Army's role in The Troubles.
The former Republic of Ireland international's firm stance has led to death threats and abuse throughout his career, particularly around Remembrance Day when Premier League clubs pay tribute. In 2015, McClean said that he'd wear a poppy 'every day of the year' if it only represented those who died in World War One and World War Two.
The controversy, which he describes as a 'pain in the a***', first arose while the midfielder was playing for Sunderland at the age of 23. Sunderland issued a statement saying that it was McClean's choice not to wear a poppy, leading to public backlash and even threats against his life.
In a new interview for Living with Lucy alongside his wife, Erin, McClean recalled the ordeal and how scared she was. "At that age, I was 23, so I thought, 'The club is looking after me," the ex-Wigan, West Brom and Stoke star began.
"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'.
READ MORE: Wrexham insider warns Ryan Reynolds his Premier League dream could backfireREAD MORE: Wrexham make final decision on Dele Alli transfer as ex-Man Utd starlet learns his fate"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 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."
McClean continued: "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) died on Bloody Sunday that day so for me to wear a poppy in support of the people who carried out those atrocities... It frustrates me how people can't see that. How is it even a debate of why I should wear the poppy."
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