Irish Wycombe player stands separate from his teammates during Remembrance silence

Irish Wycombe player Killian Phillips, only loan from Crystal Palace, stands separate from his teammates during a Remembrance silence.

There has been a huge reaction to the Dubliner footballer distancing himself during a playing of The Last Post in the Chairboys’ league fixture at Oxford United, which finished in a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

As we approach Remembrance Day on the 11th of November, teams across English football are taking part in tributes around the centre circle to fallen soldiers. Poppy’s will also be worn on shirts for the month of November.

🇮🇪| Ireland U21 international, Killian Phillips, standing away from his teammates and not taking part in Wycombe Wanderers Remembrance Day tribute

Well done Killian, legend

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/SttyRdo1j2

— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) October 30, 2023

Phillips isn’t the first Irish footballer to not participate in Remembrance Day tributes, with former Sunderland, Stoke and Wigan player James McClean, currently at Wrexham, saying he will never wear a poppy on his shirt.

Phillips was in fact born in San Diego on the 30th of March 2002, but moved to Kilbarrack, Dublin as a child and grew up there.

He began his football career as a youth player with Kilbarrack United before moving to the academy sides of Drogheda United.

The Ireland U21s international signed for Crystal Palace and also had loan spells with Shrewsbury Town, and his current club Wycombe Wanderers.

🫡 Pre-match tributes for Remembrance Day completed.

Now we play! pic.twitter.com/ZS9k3uqWxl

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 28, 2023

James McClean recent opened up on the abuse that comes his way: “I can’t change people’s perception of me; the perception and reality are two completely different things. The people that judge me don’t know me. Never spent time with me. You have two sides. You have someone with one set of values and someone with other values. I’m just asking for respect.

“I wouldn’t say: “Oh, look at him wearing a poppy.” It doesn’t bother me that people have their views. I understand that people have different values from me and different beliefs. I respect that. Just because I don’t fall in line, that doesn’t mean I disrespect or I hate youse. All I’m asking for is to be respected for my beliefs in return. It’s as simple as that.”

READ MORE: James McClean reveals extent of abuse from fans and opens up on his autism diagnosis

Speaking on talkSPORT, Martin O’Neill admits that he admired McClean for the courage he has displayed in persisting with his stance on the poppy.

“James McClean took a stance on the poppy. This is what he felt at the time and I’m sure he feels the same now. He refused to wear the poppy and that is entirely his decision.

“James McClean as the person that I know, he realised he would take a lot of abuse not only from away fans, but from home fans as well. He was prepared to do that.

“James McClean, as a person, has more courage in his little finger than I have in my whole body, believe it or not.

“He took the stance knowing what was going to happen in the future and it did. I’m not so sure I would have had that courage.”

This is what Twitter users said as the Irish Wycombe player stands separate from his teammates during the Remembrance silence…

@TheDB30: History is taught from a POV/agenda and the replies/quotes show. We did some horrible things in Ireland. Poppies and remembrance are personal choice, people on both sides have their reasons. There are no real winners in wars and conflict.

@FloHoward: If Bayern held a tribute for fallen German soldiers, some of whom fought in WWII killing many English and Jewish people among others, and Harry Kane said “As an Englishman, I’m not comfortable taking part in that so I’m going to stand apart”, wouldn’t he be praised as a patriot?

@CPFCTuckey: Really doesnt matter what he does, those who want to stand shoulder to shoulder to pay their respects can, if he wishes to not because of what he believes in so be it, theres no right or wrong in someone not having the same belief as you… #cpfc

@Rade1899: I don’t have a problem with this. Those who died in service to their country often did so to protect the rights and freedoms we have today – that includes Killian Phillips right to not take part in a Remembrance Day tribute. I’m sure it’ll be blown out of proportion.

@Adobson1417: People need to understand that remembrance day isn’t just for ww1/ww2 anymore if it was Ireland would stand with us but it’s for all British conflicts so I can understand

@miller_element: Remembrance Day is used to honour and remember armed forces members who died in the line of duty. Even more so during WW1 as the 11th hour of the 11th day etc is due to WW1 ending – A war in which over 200k Irish men fought for the British Army and over 35k died. Just stop being such gimps and thinking you’re some kind of Irish hero and instantly trying to twist it into a Bloody Sunday argument and remember your own men.

@hazvaughan: He’s been respectful to proceedings whilst displaying his own set of beliefs, which he is entitled to. Can’t believe how ignorant to that English people are

@NikGittins: Remembrance shouldn’t be enforced. I wear the poppy in honour of my great, great grandad and his brother who never came home. It doesn’t bother me one bit that some people don’t wear one – I get the principle, in fact I prefer it to those that are apathetic and just don’t care.

@MatchdayCPFC: It’s so ironic that much of the demographic who has a problem with a player not wearing the poppy is the same demographic who have problems with players being forced to wear rainbow colours once a season

@ReeceDSport: If you are allowing to be concerned with others inoffensive personal political choices, that’s on you

@BlogIrish: This page stays away from politics but this is important. Saturday Killian Phillips stood to one side during a Remembrance Day tribute such was his prerogative. He’s been since been vilified and attacked by the usuals as being “disrespectful” a bit of a stretch? He wasn’t noisey or disrespectful about it. He stood away in respect. I don’t know what I’d have done as I respect the nuances + different perspectives. But I hate this constant vilification and condemning of everyone for having their own views. As McClean winds down his career to be this seems like a vindictive attempt by plenty to find a new “villain” to racially abuse I’d just preach for everyone to be respectful and kind to those even if you don’t agree with their views. #BeKind

@AD_CPFC: Half of the people slandering him are probably not educated enough on the matter and just jump on the “disrespectful” train. He was more than respectful in showing his beliefs. He’s welcome back whenever he’s ready to play at that level.

@Tom_Hancock_: It’s clear that some people would benefit from taking a history lesson: Killian Phillips is Irish. And besides, he… move around a bit during the silence. So what? He wasn’t belting out ‘Come Out, Ye Black and Tans’. It’s a non-issue.

 

Oh so he should do it because someone else did, 🤔🤔.

— Seán Browne (@41OPP) October 30, 2023