James McClean

Exactly.

I don't wear one because I don't think those serving in a lot of wars deserve to be honoured.
Soldiers who served in either World War certainly deserve respect, but if you buy a poppy today the money is going towards those who've signed up so they can shoot arabs in the head and those are not the kind of people that I wish to support or condone the behaviour of.

In McClean's case there are much closer to home issues for him as well.

 

Come on guys, keep it to football!

It's getting too political now.

GC if you want that kind of thing.

 

100% this, amazing attitude and I assume Frank Pingel is bein controvversial for controversialities sake, he can't genuinely believe what he's saying.

 

This lad is from Derry, in the North so I guess he doesn't want to honour the deaths of some of his relatives and fellow countrymen in all wars (it's not just about WW1). Even catholics in WW2 snook over the border to join up in the fight against Hitler.
It's easier to wear one and wrap it up as a 'team thing' than go out of your way not to wear one..
I seem to remember seeing lots of players last year, of all faiths and nationalities wearing one on their shirts.
Reference the poppy being seen as a symbol of Britishness I think it's less of a symbol than, say the Queens head on all the cash he's happy to take out of the country.
I notice quite a few of his own fans not liking his 'statement' also....
Like some of you say though... it's his choice as we live in a free country.... free of course due to the sacrifice our forefathers made..... it's also my choice to think he is a disrespectful little **** for making that choice.

 

Pretty sad not to wear it, when it is worn to respect those who fought for the rights of future generations including people like James McClean. Looks even more stupid when 21 other players on the pitch are wearing it.

 

As someone else mentioned, it's not exclusive to British and Irish troops, but all of the commonwealth. At least those commonwealth countries that participated in WWI and WWII.
I'm speaking in particular of the contribution of Canadian (as I am Canadian) soldiers, that fought in both WWI and WWII.

Something I've noticed since I've lived in England, is that Remembrance Day isn't quite the same as it is in Canada. Many people still observe the traditions, but it doesn't seem to be as deeply woven in the social make-up of the country. I've always found it galling that Remembrance Day isn't a national holiday in the UK, as it is in Canada. This gives everyone the time to show real appreciation for what was sacrificed, by those soldiers fighting for the freedom that we take for granted today. Every Canadian child growing up post WWI was taught the poem, In Flanders Fields, by Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

Stupid is as stupid does. I don't think the fans at the game are going to get behind him.

 

That is true, read on twitter that they only took 500 today.

 

So well said mate.

 

Each to their own man lads. Too many are quick to judge without a full understanding of how the symbol of the poppy is viewed (rightly or wrongly) in certains parts of Ireland. Consider who the money from the poppy appeal goes to before you judge him.

 

Whack&Blite

Apologies, of course it is in remembrance of all Commonwealth forces.

Marvo

Ill-informed and childish comment, though I do agree it's personal choice.

 

nee bother

 

It's not ill informed or childish. What I said is completely true.

If you support the wars in the middle east then that's your choice. I don't, and neither do a lot of others. The soldiers didn't start those wars but they did decide to sign up and fight.

 

Can we all use your Poppy av tomorrow ACS or should we look for our own?

 

Look, 1. they are not Arabs, they are Persians and Pakistanis. 2. The soldiers do not get to choose where they have to serve. 3. The vast majority of work out there is building, repairing, protecting and teaching, something you ignore. Their present job is to try and leave the Afghans in a position to defend themselves from the Taliban who are killing 1000s.

No, I don't support war. But I do support our troops who have been put in this position by POLITICIANS.....Blair and Bush especially.

 

It's ok I've found one.

 

10/10

 

it's an open invite to use mine if that suits mate.

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs20/f/2007/295/7/4/Remembrance_Day___Poppy_Day_by_daliscar.jpg

 

it wouldn't let me upload it direct from the pc chaps..

 

Found one thanks. Anybody can use it if they want to. Didn't tag it.