Former Republic of Ireland winger James McClean has opened up on his childhood in Co Derry and the riots he was involved in as a child
James McClean grew up in Creggan, Co Derry(Image: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
James McClean revealed he was involved in riots as a kid and made and threw “petrol bombs” from the age of 11.
The ex-Ireland star made this revelation during an episode of Virgin Media’s Living with Lucy as they strolled through the streets of Creggan, Co Derry.
The Wrexham captain also reiterated his reasons for not wearing the poppy and discussed the circumstances surrounding his terrifying crash in January, reports the Irish Mirror. Reflecting on his childhood in Co Derry, McClean said: “There would just be riots here nonstop and you’d be involved in the riots yourself .
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“From the age of 11, 12, 13, I knew how to make petrol bombs and knew how to throw them and you would.”
When Lucy Kennedy broached the subject of the poppy controversy, McClean referred to it as “the pain in my arse”. In response, Lucy suggested: “Let’s put it to bed.”
Lucy Kennedy visited James McClean at his homes in the UK and in Co Derry
McClean responded: “I’ve been trying to do that for the last ten years.”
He said the entire debate has overshadowed his soccer career and he’s now recognized as the player who doesn’t wear the poppy rather than for his accomplishments on the field.
He said a statement from Sunderland in 2012 about his decision not to wear the poppy drew unnecessary attention to the issue, inciting a barrage of vile death threats.
James revealed the threat level was so high, security was stationed outside his hotel room and his wife Erin feared he’d be shot on TV.
His mother, Shauna, also shared that she turns down the volume on her TV when her son is being booed.
James revealed: “I was getting death threats, people were saying he should be shot and dragged across the Cenotaph.”
Ireland ace James McClean is married to Erin and has four children
He also admitted that the abuse affects his mother and wife much more than it does him.
Explaining his reasons for not wearing the poppy, he stated: “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.”
He later added: “Six of seven people from the Creggan estate died on Bloody Sunday that day so for me to wear a poppy in support of the people who carried out those atrocities.
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“It frustrates me how people can’t see that. How is it even a debate of why I should wear the poppy.”
During the episode, Lucy also touched on McClean’s car crash in January. McClean said the only car he hadn’t owned was a Ferrari.
His wife Erin then interjected that he wasn’t allowed one after the crash. He explained: “I was luckily driving to work and it was foggy, you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.
“So I came out from behind a lorry and obviously picked up speed to do that and I thought I had more road than I did and the roundabout just appeared.
James McClean
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“As I put the brakes on, the back end of the car just spun and hit the path and tumbled four times and landed the right side up … it happened that quickly.”
He shared that he held onto the steering wheel tightly and everything else was a blur. He also remembered checking his body immediately after the incident and realized he wasn’t injured, just a few cuts.
McClean humorously added that he now drives slower and more durable cars, stating: “If that wasn’t a wake-up call I don’t know what was.”
On another note, his wife Erin disclosed that their biggest disagreement happened when he posted a photo of himself wearing a balaclava while giving his children a “history lesson” at home.
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