Wrexham star James McLean has found himself in the national spotlight once again after standing apart from his team mates during a Remembrance silence.
Ahead of yesterday's match (November 9) at the Stok Cae Ras where Wrexham AFC beat Mansfield Town FC 1-0, players and fans stood in silence, showing their respect in honour of Remembrance Sunday.
Midfielder and captain James McClean stood alone to observe the silence, for which he has come under fire from parts of the national press in the past.
The Derry-raised star declines to wear a poppy during the Remembrance period, and has now responded following the last criticism of his position.
"I have addressed this matter many times, not that I should have to, but explaining it now on social media out of respect for work colleagues, team mates past and present, fans who have supported me (Wigan, Wrexham esp) for them to have a full understanding," McLean wrote on Instagram.
"The poppy represents for me an entire different meaning to what it does for others, am I offended by someone wearing a poppy? No absolutely not, what does offend me tho, is having the poppy try be forced upon me.
"The poppy which originally stood for world war 1 and 2 has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland.
"That is why I never have and never will wear a poppy. If the poppy’s sole purpose was to honour world war 1 and 2 then I would have no issue wearing it, but that's not the case."
He continued: "I respect those who do as I am fully aware we have different beliefs and upbringings, I would never force my beliefs on others, I’m not naive or stupid enough to expect the matter to be reciprocated, especially as the poppy is forced now on everyone in the UK and god forbid someone doesn’t wear it, the abuse they have to endure.
"The irony of all of this is that the poppy originally stood to honour those who fought for the right of freedom in both world wars.
"Some people no matter what will not educate themselves or want to educate themselves, so to those who throw abuse about, (matters they know nothing about) with insults like
“hates our country” well I don’t, some of my best relationships I’ve made through the years are with people born and raised in England and have completely different beliefs to me.
“'Happy to work and live in the UK but take the kings shilling, send him back to his home town to work then' well the sad matter of fact is if i did i would still getting paid in the “kings shillings” unfortunately which part of the whole problem to begin with.
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"One thing I never have and never will do, is bend the knee to compromise my convictions."
Any matches that take place across Remembrance weekend across the UK generally feature a moment of silence before kick-off and see player's with a poppy displayed proudly on their shirts.
However, McClean has voiced his disapproval of the tradition for over 10-years, first making headlines in 2012 for not wearing a poppy and being booed by his own fans. He has stood by his personal decision ever since.
He has previously said that should the poppy be worn solely to memorialise those who died as a result of both World Wars then he should happily oblige to wear one.
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