James Mclean - Sunderland refused to wear shirt with poppy on

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

I'm not offended by Maclean's action in the slightest but I do think it hypocritical that his principles are so strong that he won't wear a poppy because of his views on the British (presumably he sees himself as an Irishman) but he is quite happy to earn his living from the British.

Summed up neatly.

 

[withdeanwombat]

His choice,to be fair.

If I'd been his manager I'd have told him his shirt had a poppy on it,and if he didn't want it,somebody else would be wearing it.As his manager that would have been my choice.

 

[tezz79]

He may have his his views on the British Army in Northern Ireland, as I detest the IRA. If it wasn`t for many of those that died he may not have had freedom of choice to express his opinion at all.Anyway, I`m signing off before I get too involved. Gute nacht.

Lol I think I'll join ya.
At least everybody on here (so far) seems to agree that our lads that have fallen or are still serving deserve our thoughts & that most of us are thankful whether we publicly display our appreciation or not

 

[Kumquat]

Lol I think I'll join ya.
At least everybody on here (so far) seems to agree that our lads that have fallen or are still serving deserve our thoughts & that most of us are thankful whether we publicly display our appreciation or not

Seconded.

 

[Johnnyboy]

I wonder if McLean will get a good reception for the next few games he plays away from home?

 

[mistahclarke]

The "cause" of those few left in Ireland has nothing to do with the meaning of Remberance. It's about paying some level of respect to all those that gave (and are still giving) their lives to allow us to live freely and in some element of peace. I don't want to see his reasons .. he's a prize twat

Don't know the reasons but a genuine question; if his family or friend was killed by the British army in any of the massacres, would you still think he was a twat for honouring their memory?

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

Most Irish people do not realise that many Irish people fought and died during World War One for their sons and daughters future. Mclean should have realised that, no respect.

 

[User removed 4]

McLean is from Derry.

No he's not, he's from Londonderry.

 

[BigGully]

If I freely chose to work and get paid very good money whilst accepting likely support and kind interaction by people in that country, then out of respect for them at least I would feel compelled to wear the poppy embossed shirt.

It isnt really a personal issue, he needn't go and buy one and wear it on his lapel, that for sure would be for his own free choice.

But this was more for the whole 'football community' ( hate that term ) respecting a symbol that our country holds dear, really should be no great shakes or moral dilemma, for fair-minded people.

However I visited Northern Ireland a few years ago and although the people were very friendly, it was shockingly divided even then, with whole communities segregated by faith.

I left feeling that that country was underpinned by spiteful bigotry and it seems to me that Mclean is just a product of this.

 

[User removed 4]

If he chooses not to wear a poppy due to his beliefs then thats his business

i trust your stance wil be the same if a white footballer chooses not to wear a "kick it out" t shirt due to him believing that he whole issue of racism in football is overblown and is now simply an excercise in jobs for the boys ?

 

[mistahclarke]

No he's not, he's from Londonderry.

Think you'll find it was called Derry long before the British came in and changed it, but is is the legal name.

 

[Rugrat]

Don't know the reasons but a genuine question; if his family or friend was killed by the British army in any of the massacres, would you still think he was a twat for honouring their memory?

I think that's quite irrelevant ... how many tens of thousands have died and how many more thousands will die protecting us? How many massacres are you referring to? There's been injustice for centuries but the bloke on the front line who gives his life to protect all of us has nothing to do with the political situation going on elsewhere, he/they are just doing their job. He might have an issue with the politicians but many fellas from Londonderry, NI, Ireland and the UK have given their lives protecting him and his families ... that's what Remembrance is about not some friggin political opportunity

That's my genuine response and not prepared to get into a protracted debate about it

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

The fact that he wasn't even born in Ireland in also ridiculous.

 

[The Modfather]

i trust your stance wil be the same if a white footballer chooses not to wear a "kick it out" t shirt due to him believing that he whole issue of racism in football is overblown and is now simply an excercise in jobs for the boys ?

For what its worth I wear a poppy with pride every year. However, it is the personal choice of the individual. I has a stroll along Hove seafront with the family this morning, and I would say the majority of people that I saw were not wearing poppies.

 

[User removed 4]

For what its worth I wear a poppy with pride every year. However, it is the personal choice of the individual. I has a stroll along Hove seafront with the family this morning, and I would say the majority of people that I saw were not wearing poppies.

Er, quite how does that answer my question ?

 

[mistahclarke]

I think that's quite irrelevant ... how many tens of thousands have died and how many more thousands will die protecting us? How many massacres are you referring to? There's been injustice for centuries but the bloke on the front line who gives his life to protect all of us has nothing to do with the political situation going on elsewhere, he/they are just doing their job. He might have an issue with the politicians but many fellas from Londonderry, NI, Ireland and the UK have given their lives protecting him and his families ... that's what Remembrance is about not some friggin political opportunity

That's my genuine response and not prepared to get into a protracted debate about it

Don't want a debate either. I wear a poppy with pride as both my grandad's fought in the war and I associate the poppy with their curage and bravery with all those who gave their lives.

In answer to your question there were two bloody Sundays. The first one the black and tans went into croke park during a match and shot into the crowd for supporting a display of Irish culture. The tans weren't proper soldiers though, but criminals from the jails making up the ranks. But anyway, it's a long time ago and should stay in the history books.

 

[The Modfather]

Er, quite how does that answer my question ?

ok I will spell it out for you,

It is a personal choice.
From my experience today, more people chose not to wear one.
I am not getting into a debate with you about the kick out racism campaign.

Clear enough?

 

[Buzzer]

For what its worth I wear a poppy with pride every year. However, it is the personal choice of the individual. I has a stroll along Hove seafront with the family this morning, and I would say the majority of people that I saw were not wearing poppies.

I agree completely on it being a personal choice but I wonder how many of those you saw made a deliberate choice not to rather than being apathetic on the subject. McLean is clearly saying that he does not respect what the poppy represents. That's quite an extreme view of something that most British people feel very proud of. I can only imagine the pain he feels when he looks at his bank statement and sees all those British pounds he gets paid every week. The poor lamb.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

I was having this debate with my housemate, she is Canadian but with a lot of family from Ireland. She was saying that a lot of her family refuse to wear the poppy and they are suprised she feels so passionately that people should wear it. Personally, I think the Poppy is just a symbol, and not wearing it doesn't mean a lack of respect for those who lost their life. You can be passionate about the loss without wearing the poppy is my stance. However, I feel strongly that wearing the poppy is a public show of support for servicemen and women both sadly passed and currently serving. The sacrifices are great and I feel wearing the poppy is an important mark of respect.

Surprised that a Canadian would not wear a poppy,a lot of Canadians in Brighton and Newhaven in the early 40s went to Dieppe...very few came back,can remember them marching to Newhaven to board their craft. But it is a personal choice if you want to wear a poppy or not
but it is becoming a do-gooder cause to demilitarise the poppy...remembrance day has worked since the end of the war...why try and changed it for two minutes respect per year!

 

[User removed 4]

ok I will spell it out for you,

It is a personal choice.
From my experience today, more people chose not to wear one.
I am not getting into a debate with you about the kick out racism campaign.

Clear enough?

Clear as mud, you've totally and utterly failed to answer the question I posed as to whether your stance would be that it's a " personal choice" if a white player decided he didnt want to wear a t shirt in support of the kick it out campaign.