Yea I know, but I was talking about when he refused to wear a poppy. Everyone seemed to be defending him
Republic of Ireland international James McClean explains poppy stance. Wigan Athletic’s Republic of Ireland international winger James McClean will not be wearing a poppy shirt tonight alongside the rest of his Wigan Athletic team mates, as the club takes part in football’s annual Remembrance Day commemoration. This is a personal decision by James, who explained his position in a letter to Latics Chairman Dave Whelan before the two met face to face to discuss the issue this week. Following the meeting, Mr Whelan accepted James’ decision and it is both their wish that the letter is published here in full, alongside this statement. There will be no further comment on this issue by the club. Dear Mr Whelan 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 Read more at http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/a...ames-mcclean-2070059.aspx#Q0RO0kE0bk7GfeYC.99
Personally, I find McCleans explanation of why he didnt want to wear the poppy reasonable. I dont live north of the border nor have relatives but clearly it is still a very emotive issue for many on both sides of the sectarian thing.This forum is not the place to discuss that any deeper. However, disrespecting anyones national anthem in public is a no no and is indefensible. He really needs to play his football elsewhere at this point
That's the problem with writing to senile old ****s they don't have the processing power to see what's written right in front of them.
Took a tribunal a decade or something to find out so expect a rather lengthy post if you want the full transcript
We have a tv program here "Reeling in the years".Basically shows all sorts of highlights from any given year, political, sporting, northern ireland stuff. Clearly must have been a horrendous place for many to live and Im thankful I wasnt born 50 miles north of where I was or might have had a very different youth
To paraphrase ( pun intended). The British nation were at war with those cowardly women and baby murdering republican scum and the paras shot a few of them and a couple who were innocent..... Then the republicans cried foul.... As is usual with the British establishment they got squeamish when people complained.....
Wouldnt have happened now as there would have been hundreds of home made videos on youtube showing every side of the events
