Erin McClean, wife of veteran footballer James McClean, has spoken candidly about the overwhelming sense of relief her family feels following his departure from Wrexham and subsequent return to hometown club Derry City. The mother-of-four described the emotional burden carried during her husband's fifteen-year tenure in English football, a period heavily overshadowed by the persistent fallout from his principled refusal to wear a poppy.
A Family's Long-Awaited Homecoming
The 36-year-old winger completed a surprise move to Derry City on Saturday after mutually terminating his contract with Championship side Wrexham. Erin McClean hopes this relocation will finally bring stability after enduring years of sustained abuse and chilling death threats, which began when the former Republic of Ireland international first took his stance while playing for Sunderland back in 2012.
"There's a huge sense of relief," Erin confessed during an interview with BBC Radio Foyle. "But to be fair, the last few years, being at Wrexham and Wigan, they have been two fantastic clubs to deal with in regards to how they've always supported us and had our backs. It has gotten easier the last few years, but moving home will just take it to a different level."
Footballing Reasons Behind the Move
While the off-pitch controversies have been draining, Erin insisted that sporting motivations were central to the decision for McClean to leave Wrexham. His playing time had diminished this season, prompting the search for a new challenge.
"James still had 18 months left on his Wrexham contract, but I think he has always been the type of person who just wants to play football," she explained. "That's the bottom line, and he hasn't been getting as many minutes for Wrexham as he’s wanted this season. I think when the Derry City opportunity came knocking, he couldn't look away from it. Wrexham were amazing on their end as well to get that done for him."
The Shadow of the Poppy Controversy
The "negative side" Erin refers to is the long-running and often toxic controversy surrounding her husband's refusal to wear the poppy. McClean's stance is deeply rooted in his upbringing on the Creggan estate in Derry, where many families, including his own, were directly affected by the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
He has consistently maintained that he cannot wear the poppy because it represents all conflicts involving the British Army, not solely those who perished in the world wars. This position first garnered public attention when he was a 23-year-old at Sunderland and has dogged him throughout subsequent spells at Wigan, West Brom, Stoke, and finally Wrexham.
Years of Abuse and Resilience
Over the years, McClean has been subjected to relentless abuse and credible death threats, particularly in the volatile build-up to Remembrance Day. Erin has previously revealed her terror that her husband would be "shot" live on television following threats made during his time playing in England.
Reflecting on their experience, she said, "Ninety-five per cent of the people that we've met over here have just been amazing. We have made friends that we'll always keep in touch with. That small minority did affect us during certain times, but to a certain degree it's made us who we are now and how resilient we are. Now, we're getting to go home and settle and hopefully we lose that negative side of things and life gets a bit more settled and easier."
A Fond Farewell and New Beginning
Despite the off-pitch challenges, McClean's on-field contributions at Wrexham were significant. He captained the team to consecutive promotions from League Two to the Championship, cementing his status as a key figure in the club's recent history. He departed with a heartfelt tribute, praising the club's handling of his exit and specifically acknowledging owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney for making his time there memorable.
Manager Phil Parkinson hailed him as a "great servant" and acknowledged the move was the right decision for both the player and his family. McClean now prepares to link up with his younger brother, Patrick, at Derry City, aiming to conclude his professional career where it all began, in a more supportive and understanding environment.
For Erin McClean, this transfer transcends football. It represents the closing of a difficult chapter and the hopeful start of a peaceful, settled life back in Northern Ireland, free from the shadow of controversy that has loomed for so long.
