James McClean: 'Hung out to dry' for refusing to wear Poppy - The Sports Agents
2026-10-29
At just 11 years old, James McClean was making petrol bombs on the streets of Derry. Years later, he would be playing in the Premier League.
Growing up in the shadow of the Troubles, McClean's journey from the streets of Creggan to 103 caps for the Republic of Ireland and captaining Wrexham during their Hollywood rise has been anything but conventional.
In this special episode of The Sports Agents, McClean joins Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman to reflect on a remarkable life in football — from his Premier League career to the poppy controversy, the years of abuse from opposition supporters and his refusal to compromise on his beliefs.
Drawing on his autobiography The Walls, he opens up about his childhood, the pressures of professional football, his struggles with anger, the importance of family and the experiences that have shaped the man behind the headlines.
An honest and sometimes uncomfortable conversation about football, identity, loyalty and the price of standing by your convictions.
James McClean's autobiography The Walls, published by Sandycove is out now.
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Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host an award-winning daily news podcast: The News Agents.
They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed.
Episodes are available every weekday afternoon. You can listen to The News Agents on Alexa, just say "Alexa ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast.
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