‘There’s an image created of me wrongly’ – James McClean takes a swipe at British media as he reflected on his career in England.
As the 36 year old departs for Derry City, he took aim at the British media for creating a false and negative image of him over the years, adding that people were too readily believe what they read without checking facts.
He then thanked the non-judgmental reception he’s received from fans at Wrexham, who appreciated him for who he is as a person and as a footballer, rather than on politics or how the media portrayed him to be.
Now he and his family are set for a fresh start, back home, with he and his wife Erin wanting to “close the door” on the abuse they suffered for James’s refusal to wear a poppy. More on that HERE.
Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!
Interviewer: Jimmy, we sit here just days after announcing your departure to return home to Derry City. Just how’s the feelings been over the past week?
James: Yeah, I can’t believe he kicked me out, forced me out. No, it’s a bit bittersweet. Obviously, you know, the opportunity presented itself and after speaking with the manager, and yeah, it just happened really, really, really quickly and also very kind of mixed emotions because look, I love it here. Be sad to go, but in the same sense, I’m getting to go home and sing for Derry. So yeah, it’s been kind of a bit of a strange week. Normally when you leave a club, it is what it is and you just kind of move on. But this club, you know, it’s been special. I’ve had special times here and then that coincides with obviously going back to Derry. So it’s a feeling I’ve not really had leaving a club in terms of where I’m going there as well.
Interviewer: You joined the club back in 2023, played 108 games for the club, captained the club, won two promotions. Did you almost find Wrexham to be, with the support from the fans, almost a home away from home?
James: Yeah, look, it’s been amazing. Look, I’ve been quite, well, really, really fortunate the past four and a bunch of years because I had a home at Wigan, which, you know, I really, really enjoyed. And then to come here and have the time I’ve had here as well, you know, it’s the last four years, like I couldn’t have, in terms of put the football aside and just how I’ve been treated and looked after has been special. And like I said, I get to go home now, which is unbelievable. Look, I couldn’t have asked for better the last few years in England.
Interviewer: When you look back on everything you have achieved whilst being in England and here at Wrexham, does this almost feel the perfect time for you to sort of look back on everything you’ve done, you can saved and everything you wanted to do and then get to finish your career back at home?
James: Yeah, I’m not that type of person that can, I’d like to be the kind of person in the now, because I think when you sit back and you start looking at things, you can sometimes, you know, lose that bit of motivation, like they try and achieve more. When it’s all said and done and I kick my last football and I retire, I think then that’s when I’ll sit down and I’ll reflect on what I’ve achieved. But for now, it’s that kind of burning desire and motivation just to keep going and reflect on what’s been.
Interviewer: Talk about that bond that you forged with the supporters here. They took to you as the footballer, the player that you are and also learnt the person that you are as well.
James: Yeah, look, that’s something that absolutely means a lot. There’s an image created of me wrongly in the media here, British media, over the years. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people just believe what they read rather than get to know the facts. But from the day and hour that I’ve joined here, the fans have been amazing. They don’t judge me on politics, on the media perception. They judge me just based on me as a person and what I do on the football pitch. I’ll be forever grateful for that, not just me but my family also.
James McClean’s wife says they will be “closing the door” on the abuse they endured in England
Interviewer: In terms of when you joined the club, you arrived after a record-breaking, history-making season in the National League. You came in with that added experience in League Two to then win promotion again. Just talk us through that season.
James: Yeah, it was a bit strange, like I said, I had an emotional attachment to Wigan. Even up until 10 months before I signed, I still remember being downstairs here after doing through the medical checks. I was still hesitant, thinking am I making the right choice because it was a step down the league as well. I remember signing and the next day I was at Derby in League One, and were favourites to go up and Wigan were 1-0 and 2-0 away at Derby. I was sat at home and it was Wrexham 5-3 down at home against MK. I was thinking, oh no, what have I done? It’s turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made in football. It wouldn’t do justice trying to put into words how it’s been the last few seasons here.
Interviewer: Your experience in football, you’ve played in so many different positions, left wing, back in the midfield. One of the standout games I think people talk about was Swindon away on Boxing Day, where you’ve played up front, scored and we’ve grabbed that out of victory. Talk us through that and almost your versatility as a player that really benefited the group.
James: For me, it’s been a plus that I can play a number of positions because it gives you more opportunities to play. I just love playing football. That being the main reason why I’m going home now because I’ve never been someone to just sit and pick up a wage. I want to play as much as I can. That’s why I’m going home because I want to do that. I still love the game. I still have a passion for the game. I’m asked to do a job, no matter where it is. I’m not throw my toys out the pram. That’s not my position. I’ll go and do the job as best as I can.
Interviewer: Then again, the promotion from League One to the Championship there. Another special season really rounded off and you played a massive role in that with the armband as well.
James: That’s something that I can’t thank the manager enough for. He trusted me and he gave me the honour of representing this club. He gave me the task of trying to drive this team and lead another promotion and in doing that, creating history, which we’ve done. It was very easy to lead this team as captain because the lads made it very easy in terms of you didn’t have to try and go after anyone, single anyone out. Everyone was pulling in the same direction. When that’s the case, your job is just the title.
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Interviewer: What is it about the dressing room that really forges that drive and that connection that produces the results that we’ve seen for so many years?
James: The lads were on the journey before I joined. I think signing good lads. We always laugh when we’re signing players. It’s like, how many misfits can we sign? It’s like signing a big bunch of misfits and just putting them all together and somehow it just works. I’ve never seen a dressing room like it in the last few years. It’s been incredible. There’s no egos. Everyone just gets on with everyone and just does their job and we have a right laugh in the process.
Interviewer: You’ve played on some of the biggest stages on an international level and in the Premier League but what was it like for you playing for Wrexham both in America, Canada and also Australia and New Zealand as well?
James: Amazing. I’ve been to America and I’ve been to Hong Kong on some really good pre-season trips with Premier League teams but I’ve never experienced anything like a Wrexham pre-season. It was amazing. We were the main attraction and wherever you go, everyone recognises you. For that to be the case at the time of a League Two club and a League One club, it was incredible. But in terms of how we got locked out over there, amazing. I couldn’t think enough of the people over there, how they treated us.
Interviewer: With you leaving, it would be completely wrong to not mention somebody that we’ve seen a relationship blossom with, certainly from his side over the last couple of years, Andy Cannon. How do you think you’ll cope with him not being here but also your bond with him?
James: I took him out the other day to try and distract him with some ice cream and then I took him to Smyths and got him a toy. I don’t think it’s quite hit home yet that I’m leaving. I’ve got a friend for life in Andy. We’re that Shrek-Donkey kind of relationship. I’m Shrek, he’s donkey. My wife and his wife are good friends as well.
Interviewer: What are your favourite memories of this place?
James: The two days we got promotion were quite special. It was a bit mad because we knew ten months ago in both games that we were promoted. That excitement on the pitch, just waiting for the final whistle, seeing everyone making their way around the side of the pitch. When that whistle went, the chaos and the pandemonium that came to follow. Absolutely special.
Interviewer: Your final game here for Wrexham against Nottingham Forest…
James: Are we going there? Are we bringing that up are we?
Interviewer: Not specifically.
James: Beat a Premier League side and knock a Premier League side out in your last game here as captain. I don’t think it’s put the penalty aside. I don’t think it could have been any more fitting.
Interviewer: I was going to say, to the actual point there, was that you couldn’t really encapsulate one game to end a chapter in this journey.
James: Yeah, it was a chaotic game. You could say my journey here the last 14, 15 years has been chaotic. Also, I started playing against Premier League teams here and I finished playing against a Premier League team. In a way, it’s a nicely written chapter.
Interviewer: My last question to you in your first signing interview was, if you had a message to the fans, what would it be in the same way now to the supporters? What would your message be?
James: I think my message back then was, enough is guaranteed in life. I can guarantee that I’ll give everything for the cause. I hope I’ve done that and I hope the fans have seen that I’ve done that. I’ve done that with passion and care, because I care a lot about this club. I leave with a success. In the two seasons here, we got promoted. That’s something I’ll be forever proud of. This club has the potential to go on and do great things. I’ll always be proud looking back on being part of that journey. Thank you, Jimmy.
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