The match between Birmingham and Wrexham where the latter’s disappointing 3-1 defeat is definitely one for the history. It is due to the Derry-born soccer player, James McClean, who once again became a centre of controversy.
After he was involved in an altercation with fellow Irish soccer player, Eoghan O’Connell, James was substituted during the game.
As he was walking around the pitch, he was seen gesturing towards fans, who started booing at him.
@rootztv JAMES MCCLEAN RELEASING HIS INNER STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN! 😂 #jamesmcclean #birminghamcity #wrexhamfc #beer #footballl  #fyp #foryoupage #explorepage #stonecoldsteveaustin #football #footballbanter #eflchampionship #leagueone ♬ original sound – ROOTZ TV
James McClean irked them even more by showing his left leg and slapping his thigh to draw attention to his ‘Free Derry’ tattoo.
One thing led to another and one of the fans even threw a pint at him, which he managed to catch. Then, he pretended to drink from the cup before throwing it away.
James McClean has inked many other tattoo designs and they have some meanings to it!
In July 2018, he celebrated his Premiership goal with West Bromwich Albion in quite a way. He flashed a tattoo design that read, “You are now entering Free Derry,” his home city’s iconic Free Derry Corner.
As he pulled up his shorts to show the tattoo, it brought mixed reactions from the people. It provoked a few while others responded positively.
He had inked this tattoo on his leg in 2014 along with the words of Phil Coulter’s anthem, “In my memories, I will always see, the town that I have loved so well.“
In July 2015, during the Baggies’ friendly over Walsall, he showed his tattoo of a quote from author and playwright, Enid Bagnold.
The tattoo design read, “A father is always making his baby into a little woman. and when she is a woman he turns her back again.“
He had tattooed the message about fatherhood after his daughter, Allie Mae was born in December 2013. It is right below the Free Derry Corner image.
Above his left knee, he has tattooed the McClean family crest. Then, in July 2023, he and his wife, Erin McClean, had an infinity symbol tattooed on their arms. It contains four love hearts, one for each of their kids.
Furthermore, on the inside of his left leg, he has inked the lyrics of ‘The Town I Loves So Well.’ Phil Coulter had written the song that The Dubliners made famous.
In 2016, Republic manager, Martin O’Neill teased him about his tattoos. According to him, McClean had three or four tattoos that he had noticed. ‘I love Lucy’ was the latest one, revealed O’Neill.
Additional Information
- James McClean and his wife, Erin Connor, started dating in 2010. They tied the knot in 2016. They have welcomed four children, Allie May, James Jr., Willow Ivy, and Mia Rose. His daughter, Willow-Ivy has autism. He had also been diagnosed with it.
- He was born James Joseph McClean on April 22, 1989, in Derry, Northern Ireland. He attended Holy Family Primary School and St. Peter’s High School.
