James McClean’s wife says they will be “closing the door” on the abuse they endured in England

James McClean’s wife says they will be “closing the door” on the abuse they endured in England as they prepare to move home to Derry.

Erin McClean said the actions of a small minority did affect the couple but ultimately made them more resilient and she looks back on their 15 years in England as an amazing time.

James McClean has frequently been the target of social media abuse for refusing to wear a poppy during his playing career in England and he has also received death threats.

His contract at Wrexham was not due to expire until 2027 but as we know it was announced last weekend that he had secured a return to Derry City.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, North West Today, Erin opened up on how the family is feeling about moving home.

The wife of professional footballer James McClean has said they will be “closing the door” on the abuse they endured in England as they prepare to move home.https://t.co/fCtOHxgy6n

— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) January 20, 2026

Erin: “I don’t know, it’s a mixture of emotions. We are so excited to get home, like it’s something we always known that we wanted to do is settle back home, it just happened a bit quicker than what we had anticipated, so it’s also you know we’ve built a life over here, for 15 years, so we’re a bit sad leaving as well, you know, because we’ve made such good friendships and neighbours and that but like definitely more excited definitely.”

Interviewer: “Yeah obviously you and James have four children as well so I suppose for preparing them from leaving that that life that they have known for for so long in England and then and then coming back to Derry, I’m sure that’s something to as well.”

Erin: “Yeah that’s it, it’s a big move for them because you know they started I know we have moved around England quite a bit but when we settled here at this house eight years ago they all started their school journey here so they’ve not really known anywhere beforehand, so this is home to them essentially, you know they’re so excited to get home and see their cousins and family and stuff as well. But they are you know they’re very sad because they are so settled here they’ve got their school friends and their juniors and a really good football academy and things like that so it is, it will be sad but they’ve known it’s always it’s always going to happen so we’re trying to prepare them the best we can.

Interviewer: “It was always the plan then Erin was it?”

Erin: “Yeah oh god yeah we’ve always both known that we were two home birds like we always eventually wanted to come back like we’re both very family orientated as well, very close to both sides of our families so that was always the plan.”

Erin: “And did it move quicker in the end as you say there because the speculation about James coming home has been rife for some time home to Derry City, to play for Derry City and finish out his career there, but I don’t think anybody expected it to move sort of as swiftly as it did, especially when he was like captain at Wrexham as well.”

Erin: “Yeah yeah I think well I was always making plans to move home this summer regardless just because well obviously being autistic and stuff too it takes a bit of planning to move across and get all her support and stuff put in place so that was my plan so it did happen then eventually a bit quicker because he’s still got well had 18 months left on his Wrexham contract but I think James has just always been the type of person he just wants to play football that’s just the bottom line you know and when you know for Wrexham he hasn’t as many minutes as he’s wanted this season and I think when the Derry City opportunity came knocking, you know he couldn’t look away from it and you know Wrexham were amazing handling it on their end as well too to get that done for him.”

Interviewer: “And like now it’s here you must have been buzzing on Saturday were you?”

Erin: “Oh god that was a great day and you know what like you know it was great you know seeing him you know put on a Derry top on again and listening to him and the press conference and stuff then but like after we were just walking then came out we went out for food we were just walking along the quay and I just couldn’t stop smiling that’s what I was thinking I was like ‘oh my god this is you know this is going to be our normal again just being able to do things like this’, so you know what I was so happy to just like know that you know in a matter of a few weeks that’s it we’ll be doing, we’ll be able to go out our wee walks along the quay and bump into people, familiar faces.”

Interviewer: “Yeah things like that mean the world don’t they like there’s no price and something like that?”

Erin: “Aye definitely and like you know, you miss out on so much being away like there’s many things we’ve missed out on weddings and family get togethers and stuff and you know and now going forward that we’ll not ever have to miss out on anything like that, that’s the stuff that means the world to us, so that’s I’m just so excited.”

Interviewer: “I did love in your Instagram tribute to what had happened how you said about James never missed a game on a Friday night he’s always watching on his laptop.”

Erin: “Oh god I have a laptop and then the football on the TV as well too he’s always had to do them but James is he’s a huge Derry fan, massive like, you know he results didn’t go away he got really frustrated and stuff and he was buzzing whenever he got to go over to Aviva and see them win the cup there a few years ago too so he’s obviously a huge Derry fan like he never misses a game.”

Interviewer: “How do you reflect on your 15 years in England Erin, obviously massive highs, James forged a hugely successful career with your support, you’ve had you know your four lovely children, you got married, so much has happened in that time but really difficult times for you both as well which you both have been very open about when you look back on the 15 years what do you think like how do you feel?”

James McClean hits out at fans after facing more abuse for refusing to wear a poppy

Erin: “The people we have met 95 percent of the people that we’ve met over here have just been amazing people and you know we’ve made amazing friends really good friends that we’ll always keep in touch, so and the memories that we’ve made over here like we hold a special place in our hearts always and yeah definitely you know that small minority did affect us during certain times but I guess certain degree it’s made us who we are now as well and how resilient we are and you know is how we moved through it and stuff so I think we’ll always look back it’s been an amazing time in our lives and you know now we’re getting to go home and settle and hopefully we kind of lose that negative side of things, so you know just life gets a bit more settled and easier.”

Interviewer: “Do you sort of breathe the same relief because I suppose the issue with the poppy and James is very clear in way he chose not to wear a poppy but it was sort of an annual news story.”

Erin: “Yes I definitely, like there’s a huge sense of relief, but to be fair the last few years being at Wrexham and Wigan they have been two fantastic clubs to deal with in regards they always have like our support and having our backs and stuff, so it has gotten easier the last few years. But like I mean moving home, hoping it just dies out now and become a distant memory so that’s the hope.”

Interviewer: “What about you Erin as it was coming home now and you’ll have more family around is there anything that you would really like to do?”

Erin: “That’s something I’ve been thinking about for a few years now like what I want to do you know just because I’ve just been mummy for 12 years now and definitely it’s something that I’ve been thinking about a lot and I’m not I’m not too sure yet what exactly you know because we’ve got a lot going on with the house back home and stuff too so I think once we I want to get back and settle but definitely I want to start really pushing ahead and doing for myself you know definitely something that I want to do.”

Interviewer: “You’ve done great work in autism advocacy, is that something maybe that you feel like you could do more of here in Northern Ireland?”

Erin: “Yeah definitely it’s something I’m really passionate about like as well too just obviously going through the whole process with my daughter and just seeing how you certain times it’s really really tough, they you know get the right support or you know even just applying the applying process certain things that is something I’m really passionate about and definitely if the opportunity came up somehow it’s something I would absolutely love to do.”

"Home is where the heart is" 💬

James McClean on his return to @derrycityfc #BBCFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Nq7DGwdtGj

— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) January 17, 2026

Interviewer: “And just finally Erin, what do you think the first night back at the Brandywell will be like, imagine you’ll all be there as a family James, Patrick as well, what do you think that’ll be like?”

Erin: “Oh god honestly well because I was kind of planning on holding back here and going for a bit, just because just for the kids and that would mean I wouldn’t get back to that first home game, but I think I’m just going to have to fly over because I don’t think I can miss it, I think it’ll be electric, you know Brandywell be rocking most Friday nights so I think seeing the two brothers as well and being able to stand there with my son junior watching watching them you know back home in Derry, you know I remember going to see James at Derry before we moved across the water so it’ll just be like just a complete circle moment really.”