![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_GettyImages-2225908987.jpg\")
James McClean grew up in Creggan, Co Derry(Image: Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nFormer Republic of Ireland winger James McClean has opened up on his childhood in Co Derry and the riots he was involved in as a childJames McClean grew up in Creggan, Co Derry(Image: Hagen Hopkins\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
James McClean revealed he was involved in riots as a kid and made and threw “petrol bombs” from the age of 11.<\/p>\n
The ex-Ireland star<\/a> made this revelation during an episode of Virgin Media’s Living with Lucy as they strolled through the streets of Creggan, Co Derry<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Wrexham captain<\/a> also reiterated his reasons for not wearing the poppy and discussed the circumstances surrounding his terrifying crash in January, reports the Irish Mirror<\/a>. Reflecting on his childhood in Co Derry, McClean<\/a> said: “There would just be riots here nonstop and you’d be involved in the riots yourself .<\/p>\n READ MORE: US-born rising soccer star hoping to make Republic of Ireland team after stellar performance<\/a>READ MORE: Inside life of New York Giants kicker Jude McAtamney from big Irish family of seven brothers<\/a><\/p>\n “From the age of 11, 12, 13, I knew how to make petrol bombs and knew how to throw them and you would.”<\/p>\n When Lucy Kennedy broached the subject of the poppy controversy, McClean<\/a> referred to it as “the pain in my arse”. In response, Lucy suggested: “Let’s put it to bed.”<\/p>\n McClean responded: “I’ve been trying to do that for the last ten years.”<\/p>\n He said the entire debate has overshadowed his soccer career and he’s now recognized as the player who doesn’t wear the poppy<\/a> rather than for his accomplishments on the field.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n His mother, Shauna, also shared that she turns down the volume on her TV when her son is being booed.<\/p>\n James revealed: “I was getting death threats, people were saying he should be shot and dragged across the Cenotaph.”<\/p>\n He also admitted that the abuse affects his mother and wife much more than it does him.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Follow Irish Star on Google News<\/p>\n Click here <\/a>to follow Irish Star on Google News for local news and features on Irish America.<\/strong><\/p>\n “It frustrates me how people can’t see that. How is it even a debate of why I should wear the poppy.”<\/p>\n During the episode, Lucy also touched on McClean’s car crash in January. McClean<\/a> said the only car he hadn’t owned was a Ferrari.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n For the latest local news and features on Irish Amer<\/strong>ica, visit our homepage <\/strong>here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS384625894.jpg\")
Lucy Kennedy visited James McClean at his homes in the UK and in Co Derry<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS384626000.jpg\")
Ireland ace James McClean is married to Erin and has four children<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_jamesmcPNG.jpg\")
James McClean<\/p>\n