James McClean

[hanworthbee]

James Mclean (the proud Northen Irishman who plays for the Republic) Explains in an open letter to Dave Whelan why he wont be wearing a poppy on his shirt http://www.joe.ie/football/pic-jame...why-he-wont-be-wearing-a-poppy-tonight/474522

 

[Bigbee]

The " troubles " are nothing do with those who defended our country and his ,wear a poppy you tart

 

[pompeybee]

It's a very articulate and courageous statement in my view. At this of all times, it's regrettable that the original meaning of the poppy has been overtaken as a means of suborning people into support for whatever dubious ventures the government chooses to send 'our boys' into.

 

[Hullbee]

No problem with that he is showing respect to his people and not seeking to disrepect fallen British soldiers

 

[Herbert]

The " troubles " are nothing do with those who defended our country and his ,wear a poppy you tart

of course not but its a celtic(fc supporters) thing.

fact is there were many catholic paddys who died in those wars who deserve remembering as much as any other

 

[JCMcBee]

....dont care abot why some people chose not to wear a poppy......personal choice........i wear one because both my grandads i never met died in the war.....at sea bodies never found.......my mum and dad were kids.........much sadness.........never ever forgot.........family.

 

[absenteebee]

I think he makes his argument well. I don't necessarily agree with all he says but fair play to him for making a stand for what he believes.

 

[wanderer paul]

It's his choice and he's - if it is in his own words - articulated it quite well.

The Poppy was for those that died in WW1, but that's changed over the years since to include all wars. And to remember all those soldiers that have given their lives, no matter in what conflict or who was fighting who.

WW2, Korea, Suez, Cyprus, Mau Mau (Kenya), Indonesia, Malaya, Aden, Dhofar, Ireland, The Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Sierra Leonne, all conflicts which involved British & Northern Irish soldiers who died.

We all differ as to who we wish to remember. It's a shame that some won't wear a poppy, but thankfully, those that don't are lucky to have that choice.

 

[fallacy]

sorry but he is a scummy c*** and that letter is a bunch of bollox. I know what he is and he doesn't give a toss about the british

 

[fallacy]

It's his choice and he's - if it is in his own words - articulated it quite well.

The Poppy was for those that died in WW1, but that's changed over the years since to include all wars. And to remember all those soldiers that have given their lives, no matter in what conflict or who was fighting who.

WW2, Korea, Suez, Cyprus, Mau Mau (Kenya), Indonesia, Malaya, Aden, Dhofar, Ireland, The Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Sierra Leonne, all conflicts which involved British & Northern Irish soldiers who died.

We all differ as to who we wish to remember. It's a shame that some won't wear a poppy, but thankfully, those that don't are lucky to have that choice.

I'm Ealing born and bred from a proud NI family - NI is British - please don't separate NI and British soldiers

 

[fallacy]

sorry but he is a scummy c*** and that letter is a bunch of bollox. I know what he is and he doesn't give a toss about the british

for somebody known to have IRA sympathies please don't this PR related nonsense the respect it doesn't deserve

 

[Stanley]

Surely the point is to remember those who have fallen serving the country not to remember the war or conflict itself. I might have been totally opposed to our involvement in the war against Saddam but I have the utmost respect for those soldiers who died in our name and would wish for them to be remembered alongside those from the world wars.

 

[fallacy]

I realise I'm probably rambling so I apologise but the scars of what has happened to my family are too deep and I can't respect a sympathiser to the scum

I really hate this c*nt, and would like nothing better than for him to break his f***ing leg at GP right in front of ER

 

[Hullbee]

Fallacy any chance you could calm down and example your point as I an interested

 

[thanetbee]

Every remembrance day I go to a local service and remember those who died in WW1 & WW2.
I am also Irish – and I know in both conflicts Irish people fought and died for England.
I also have relatives in the north of Ireland who would totally understand James McCleans sentiments. There was terrible atrocities committed by all people in Northern Ireland in the 70- 90’s.
Times have moved on a bit but please do not let us forget that here are two sides to every argument.

 

[fallacy]

This guy is a hypocrite of the highest order

Represented NI in football up and including till u 21s

Accepted a call up in 2011 for NI

Then decided to pledge allegiance to ROI

Followed on by mocking NI national team

He is from the area where 6 people died in bloody sunday, he has tweeted about his favorite IRA songs

If he was a devout republican and didn't believe in NI as it's own country why was he happy to represent them in football for so long? I don't believe his republican belief's stopped him there

He didn't wear a poppy whilst playing for Sunderland....this is his agent doing the talking now, don't believe he has this respectful views about the British whatsoever

rant over

 

[HadleighBee]

I realise I'm probably rambling so I apologise but the scars of what has happened to my family are too deep and I can't respect a sympathiser to the scum

I really hate this c*nt, and would like nothing better than for him to break his f***ing leg at GP right in front of ER

Oh dear!

 

[wanderer paul]

I'm Ealing born and bred from a proud NI family - NI is British - please don't separate NI and British soldiers

It's separated to highlight the fact that people from the country of his birth, Northern Ireland, gave their lives too.

Don't bother drawing this into some political debate. You have your opinion, fine, but no need for the expletives.

I have seen many soldiers, families and police from Northern Ireland, through my father, who were killed or injured in NI and other conflicts. It affects everyone differently. As I said, he's lucky that he can have an opinion and choose not to wear one, as we live in a democracy, which many soldiers died for. I'll leave it there.

ps the correct title for where we live is, "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", is it not?

 

[fallacy]

It's separated to highlight the fact that people from the country of his birth, Northern Ireland, gave their lives too.

Don't bother drawing this into some political debate. You have your opinion, fine, but no need for the expletives.

I have seen many soldiers, families and police from Northern Ireland, through my father, who were killed or injured in NI and other conflicts. It affects everyone differently. As I said, he's lucky that he can have an opinion and choose not to wear one, as we live in a democracy, which many soldiers died for. I'll leave it there.

ps the correct title for where we live is, "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", is it not?

Let's not get into semantics here. Geographically wise it is the island of Great Britain along with Northern Ireland but in terms of nationality it is purely British - we all share one passport

 

[wanderer paul]

Let's not get into semantics here. Geographically wise it is the island of Great Britain along with Northern Ireland but in terms of nationality it is purely British - we all share one passport

I explained already as to why I made a point of 'Northern Irish'.

I'm British too, English in fact (but I doubt I am truly English, although English born, as I might have a bit of Middle Eastern, Germanic, Nordic or Gaul blood in me, I've no idea - although my blood does have a gene which gave my daughter a rare blood disorder, mostly seen in Arabic or North Afrcian countries :shrug: ) with a passport saying, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

[Ealing Bee]

http://www.diamondwarmemorial.com/
The Diamond War Memorial project is doing a great deal of work in researching and the details of the thousands from Londonderry who volunteered in WWI. The Memorial itself has over 700 names of Derrymen who died in that war, though the Project has found another 400+ names who were not included. These names include people from all communities in the city (and surrounding district).

McClean might like to study the name second from bottom of this page:
http://www.diamondwarmemorial.com/soldiers/index/page:2

That's if he actually can read - because he sure as hell didn't write "his" letter to Whelan...

 

[opinions5u]

I'd like to think that one of the things "we" fought for in various conflicts was the right to express yourself freely as an individual.

Even if his agent found the written words, assuming they truly and fairly reflect McClean's position then I think we should respect his views as articulated in that letter. It would be disappointing to be part of a society that ignored an individual for being a bit thick and getting help with a few words. Or made an assumption that he got help when they are indeed his own work.

I'm fairly sure that I don't fully understand his references to Bloody Sunday in the context of far greater loss of life in other conflicts. I know the old cliche about terrorists and freedom fighters but I struggle to see the Provisionals as the latter. I do appreciate that sh*t scared British soldiers will not always have played by the rules during The Troubles either. For what it's worth I do think he should have worn the poppy but I don't think he should be forced to wear it or pilloried for not doing so. Especially as he's explained his reasons.

 

[Chorlton Bee]

This situation only really arises because of the ridiculous modern trend for Poppy's on football shirts. They are completely unneccesary. It's a football pitch not a parade. We managed without them up till recently, were footballers prior to this not respecting the fallen? Or did they manage to do it the rest of the time around rememberance bar 90 minutes on a football pitch.

Modern life is rubbish (sometimes)

 

[Downbeat Bee]

This situation only really arises because of the ridiculous modern trend for Poppy's on football shirts. They are completely unneccesary. It's a football pitch not a parade. We managed without them up till recently, were footballers prior to this not respecting the fallen? Or did they manage to do it the rest of the time around rememberance bar 90 minutes on a football pitch.

Modern life is rubbish (sometimes)

Poppies on football shirts are not about remembrance but about PR. I find such modern uses of poppies as disrespectful rather than the opposite. Also it is a matter of personal conscience. I am uneasy such recent developments. However, those dying in conflicts should be remembered.

 

[wanderer paul]

Poppies on football shirts are not about remembrance but about PR. I find such modern uses of poppies as disrespectful rather than the opposite. Also it is a matter of personal conscience. I am uneasy such recent developments. However, those dying in conflicts should be remembered.

With the RBL so short of funds nowadays, it's another way to raise money for the good work that they do. Especially having more soldiers and personnel involved in conflicts to look after and assist with their well being. Poppy sales aren't enough to cover the costs of what they do. The RBL need other income streams and this is one of them.

 

[Downbeat Bee]

With the RBL so short of funds nowadays, it's another way to raise money for the good work that they do. Especially having more soldiers and personnel involved in conflicts to look after and assist with their well being. Poppy sales aren't enough to cover the costs of what they do. The RBL need other income streams and this is one of them.

Quite possibly but it's PR for 'football'. To a large extent it does not matter where the money comes from for the RBL, I fully accept it helps them.

 

[wanderer paul]

Quite possibly but it's PR for 'football'.

And many footballers died.

Brentford FC have named 12 who died after wearing the colours of our football club, tomorrow the Football Club will remember one more, taking the number to 13.

A large number of football clubs have printed programmes, today and last week as we did, remembering their fallen. Football, rugby, cricket and every other known sport had members who fell. It may seem commercial to some but to others it's a fund raising opportunity that only comes around this time in November.

 

[hanworthbee]

Wonder what Stuart Dallas thinks about this

 

[Brickie Chap]

It's a very articulate and courageous statement in my view. At this of all times, it's regrettable that the original meaning of the poppy has been overtaken as a means of suborning people into support for whatever dubious ventures the government chooses to send 'our boys' into.

It's a PR statement that screams 'agent'.

If he wants to be SF/IRA he should be brave enough not hiding behind this bullshit.

 

[Stanley]

It's a PR statement that screams 'agent'.

If he wants to be SF/IRA he should be brave enough not hiding behind this bullshit.

Tend to agree, if he felt this way just don't wear one on your shirt, Why write an open letter to his own boss and court controversy? He lives and works in a country where this is an emotional time, he is entitled to his view but he could make it discreetly if he wanted to.

 

[Brickie Chap]

Tend to agree, if he felt this way just don't wear one on your shirt, Why write an open letter to his own boss and court controversy? He lives and works in a country where this is an emotional time, he is entitled to his view but he could make it discreetly if he wanted to.

He has openly been involved in SF/IRA nonsense. The fella is a ****ing hypocrite taking the Queens shilling, living in a country he despises trying to justify his attention seeking, after the last few years backfired on him.

No doubt he will be laughing about the noise caused when next home in Londonderry.

 

[westy]

The bloke is a *****, my parents are Irish but still where poppies. Lots of Irish people died in the war.
It is about remembrance for the war dead, not the troubles in ireland. Grade A c##t!

 

[A Real Mysteron]

I explained already as to why I made a point of 'Northern Irish'.

I'm British too, English in fact (but I doubt I am truly English, although English born, as I might have a bit of Middle Eastern, Germanic, Nordic or Gaul blood in me, I've no idea - although my blood does have a gene which gave my daughter a rare blood disorder, mostly seen in Arabic or North Afrcian countries :shrug: ) with a passport saying, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Again on this forum somebody makes the mistake of offering up the facts.

When will they learn.


My opinion is that it is each individual's choice as to whether they wear the poppy. I wear it out of respect for my Grand dad, and all the ordinary people who gave everything in the defence of their country.

I don't wear it out of respect for the modern armed forces. Whilst I admire their bravery and dedication they are only doing a job they have chosen to do.

Leave it to everybody's own conscience. It's a shame though that the original meaning of the poppy has been diluted by its connection to modern conflicts.

 

[horshambees]

Fair play and it is his choice.

We all choose to wear a poppy.It is our choice and i will remember those family members of mine that fell at The Somme and Paschendale.

James MacLean has his reasons and I respect him for that.

 

[kendo]

I don't wear a poppy out of respect for my Dad,he fought in the second world war,called up at 18.

He said he wanted to forget what horrors he saw not remember..he never
Wore one and he rarely spoke about it.

 

[whyteleafebee76]

Poppies on football shirts are not about remembrance but about PR. I find such modern uses of poppies as disrespectful rather than the opposite. Also it is a matter of personal conscience. I am uneasy such recent developments. However, those dying in conflicts should be remembered.

I don't agree. Millwall designed a whole kit for yesterday, that wasn't a PR stunt in my opinion it was a genuine statement of respect and presumably has raised lots of funds for charity. The poppies on shirts isn't a PR thing its just recognising that we as a society (and that includes football clubs) have grown better in recent years at remembering those that died in conflict.

 

[Stanley]

The poppies on shirts isn't a PR thing its just recognising that we as a society (and that includes football clubs) have grown better in recent years at remembering those that died in conflict.

True, having grown up in the 60s and 70s people wanted to forget the wars and there just wasn't the desire to remember either world war like today.

 

[hanworthbee]

I think McLean is just an ignorant numpty who's trying to impress his IRa pals back home.he could have quietly gone about it but comments on social media, open letters just make him sound like a ****

It's about just remembering people who fought and died for us , Northern Irish people wd have died in ww1/2.

 

[West Wilts Bee]

I think McLean is just an ignorant numpty who's trying to impress his IRa pals back home.he could have quietly gone about it but comments on social media, open letters just make him sound like a ****

It's about just remembering people who fought and died for us , Northern Irish people wd have died in ww1/2.

I hope James McLean Thinks. If it was not for these blokes that gave their lives for our freedom, I probably would not be earning the lovely wage packet. but I very much doubt it. Seems to me we have so many people earning a very good living in this country, yet they hate our way of life. ****ing outrageous.

 

[SCARFER]

I think McLean is just an ignorant numpty who's trying to impress his IRa pals back home.he could have quietly gone about it but comments on social media, open letters just make him sound like a ****

It's about just remembering people who fought and died for us , Northern Irish people wd have died in ww1/2.

This isn't the first time though, he refused to wear one last year and got slaughtered so I guess he just wanted to explain his reasons this year.

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

he might struggle in front of the paddock in that last home game lol

hes entitled to his views....i dont agree with any of em but its his view......probably a right c$%t as a human being though

 

[UBee5]

Either my post was deleted or I didn't send it...

 

[sonofabee]

He's a footballer not a politician, someone should tell him shut your cakehole and play football.
Expect a lot of flak for the rest of the season at away grounds.

 

[spirebee]

I'm Ealing born and bred from a proud NI family - NI is British - please don't separate NI and British soldiers

....at the moment.....

 

[nocoat]

Do we have to attach that caveat to every single post ever written or to be written?

 

[NorthamptonBee]

he might struggle in front of the paddock in that last home game lol

hes entitled to his views....i dont agree with any of em but its his view......probably a right c$%t as a human being though

Even before we got his "views" I have always disliked this cheating, diving and very white skinned person, he was his usual **** at their place where he moaned, tried to cheat and IMO injure at times, what a lovely man.

 

[Thorne In The Side]

Disgusting actions. As Bernard Manning so eloquently put it these ****ers helped restock the German U boats in the Second World War.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Either my post was deleted or I didn't send it...

Nothing deleted in this thread as far as I can tell.

 

[hobbsy]

I heard that JD probably wouldn't have worn one had he played yesterday. Doesn't bother me at all.

 

[nick logan]

If his German manager and Argentinian managers and players can show their respect then he has no excuse.
Yet another who hates Britain but not quite enough to turn down the massive salary .

Yes its a personal choice not to buy one but this is one day a year when his club play in a shirt with a poppy on. Every other player and club in Britain except one* managed to do it.

*no prizes for guessing who