‘I SWEARY MUCH HATE THE KING!’
McClean joined anti-royal chant as Wrexham went up
IRISH soccer legend James McClean met with the brother of Taoiseach, Simon Harris, yesterday to promote the work of his autism charity.
The Wrexham star was joined by his wife, Erin,and daughter
Willow-Ivy (6) to engage with AsIAm's Child and Family Support Programme and members of the autistic community.
He also took part in a Q&A discussion together with Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm.
JAMES McClean has insisted he “sang along at the top of my lungs” as Wrexham fans chanted a rude song about King Charles to celebrate going up to League One.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s club secured back-to-back promotions after a 6-0 rout of Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, with Derry native McClean playing a big role.
The ex-Ireland star was part of the joyous celebrations – but some Wrexham supporters chose to sing a foulmouthed ditty about McClean’s dislike for the British royal family.
The chant in question contains the lyrics “he hates the f***ing king”.
In an Instagram post where some Wrexham fans said that the Irishman had joined in, McClean wrote: “Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang along at the top of my lungs.”
The winger added: “Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not.” McClean has endeared himself to supporters of the Welsh club during his short time at the club thanks to several typically gritty performances.
But he is not a popular figure with many opposing supporters due to his decision not to wear a remembrance poppy on his jersey.
Disrespect
McClean said he feels it would be a mark of disrespect to innocent people who lost their lives during the Troubles, particularly those from his hometown of Derry - the site of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre. McClean has also said of his decision, which started in 2011 when he joined then-Premier League side Sunderland, that if the poppy was exclusively for the victims of the World Wars, he would wear it. But because it stands for all British conflicts, he refuses to wear it.