James McClean has addressed his decision not to wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday after new criticism for his views.
Wrexham play Mansfield Town on Sunday, and, like many clubs around the country, both fans and players were asked to observe a minute’s silence. Players on both sides also wore the symbolic remembrance poppy, an artificial flower worn in some countries to commemorate military personnel who died in war, except McClean.
McClean, a Derry native, has never worn the poppy for personal reasons, and he has had to explain his stance every year since making that choice.
The Irish centurion last weekend has also received widespread abuse from fans around the country for his decision not to wear the poppy and for standing apart from his Wrexham teammates during the minute’s silence.
McClean took to social media to explain why he doesn’t wear the poppy to people who "forget every year" and reaffirmed that he will never wear it because, in his view, it represents more than the fallen soldiers of World War I and World War II.
On Instagram, McClean said: “I have addressed this matter many times—not that I should have to—but I’m explaining it now on social media out of respect for work colleagues, teammates past and present, and fans who have supported me (Wigan, Wrexham especially), so they have a full understanding.
“The poppy represents, for me, an entirely different meaning than it does for others. Am I offended by someone wearing a poppy? No, absolutely not. What does offend me, though, is having the poppy forced upon me.
“The poppy, which originally stood for World War I and II, has now been adopted to honour and remember British soldiers who have served in all conflicts around the world, including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday, Jan 1972, in my home city, as well as many other brutal acts throughout Ireland.
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“That is why I never have and never will wear a poppy. If the poppy’s sole purpose were to honour World War I and II, I would have no issue wearing it, but that’s not the case.”
The Derry native acknowledged that people may wish to wear the poppy. However, he took issue with the fact that freedom, which soldiers fought for, isn’t reciprocated when it comes to his own freedom of speech and opinion.
“I respect those who do wear the poppy, as I am fully aware we have different beliefs and upbringings. I would never force my beliefs on others. I’m not naïve or stupid enough to expect my views to be reciprocated, especially as the poppy is now almost mandatory in the UK, and god forbid someone doesn’t wear it—the abuse they endure. The irony is that the poppy originally honoured those who fought for the right of freedom in both world wars.”
McClean concluded his statement by recognising that many who support the poppy will likely never understand his perspective. Nonetheless, he admitted he wouldn’t compromise his convictions on this issue.
“Some people, no matter what, will not educate themselves or want to educate themselves. To those who throw abuse with insults like ‘hates our country’—I don’t. Some of my best relationships over the years have been with people born and raised in England who have completely different beliefs to mine.
“‘Happy to work and live in the UK, but takes the king's shilling; send him back to his hometown to work then.’ Well, the sad fact is that even if I did, I would still be paid in the ‘king’s shillings’—which is part of the problem to begin with.
“One thing I never have and never will do is bend the knee to compromise my convictions.”
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