James McClean sent warning over behaviour by ex-Wrexham colleague - 'It can go against you'

Wales Online

16 hours ago

James McClean sent warning over behaviour by ex-Wrexham colleague - 'It can go against you'
Wrexham's James McClean has been praised for his passion but warned his antics with rival fans may backfire, despite being a key figure in the club's recent promotions
Wrexham's James McClean is known for winding up fans of other clubs in response to the abuse he receives
(Image: Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images )
Wrexham captain James McClean has been warned that winding up opposition fans could backfire on his team. The former Republic of Ireland international is a much-loved figure among the Welsh side's supporters after leading them to two promotions since joining in August 2023.
The warm reception from the Wrexham faithful is in stark contrast, though, to that he gets from other fanbases. The winger has been on the receiving end of abuse for most of his career due to his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt around Remembrance Sunday.
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McClean normally takes it in his stride, often waving to supporters of other teams to annoy them. During Wrexham's League One match away at Birmingham in September, the 36-year-old took things a step further after responding to goading from the home fans by pointing to his 'Free Derry' tattoo.
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He was also seen catching a cup thrown at him from the crowd at St. Andrews and pretending to drink from it in an act of defiance. While McClean appears to use the vitriol to spur him on, one of his ex-teammates has now warned that it could have a negative impact as the club prepares for life in the Championship next term.
Defender Ben Tozer played alongside McClean during the 2023/24 season as Wrexham secure promotion from League Two. Despite praising the Derryman's character, he cautioned that his antics could give opponents more incentive to win.
Speaking on an upcoming episode of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, Tozer said: "There is a balance because Jimmy loves that, he thrives off it and he needs it. The things that people are saying to him are out of order.
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Wrexham defender Ben Tozer has praised McClean's work ethic, but questioned if his antics could be counterproductive
(Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images )
"The funny thing is, they're happy to give it to him, and if he gives them a little bit back they completely lose their minds. He doesn't even swear at them, call them names or anything like that.
"But does it help or hinder the team? There will possibly be times where you go to an away game, the crowd is silent and that is what you want. But Jimmy doesn't and he wants the crowd to be on his back.
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"I'm sure there are times where you go away and it picks the opposition up if they've been poor and it gives them an extra bit of energy. It can go against you, but there's been no complaints yet."
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The 2024/25 campaign ended well for Wrexham as they achieved promotion from League One in April. However, the level of venom directed at McClean became a source of frustration for manager Phil Parkinson, who called for the EFL to do more to protect him.
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Speaking at a press conference in January he said: "Occasionally the level of abuse goes too far and I'm not sure enough is done about it. People are quite quick to jump on the back of players for stepping out of line and referees are quick to give people yellow cards.
"Then I think what are the EFL doing about the level of abuse Jimmy gets on a week to week basis and for me it's nowhere near enough. But unfortunately I don't think my words are going to be enough to change that."
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Parkinson was speaking after objects were thrown at McClean during a 2-1 league defeat at Shrewsbury Town. The player later raised eyebrows with a fiery response on social media in which he labelled Shrewsbury as "an absolute cesspit full of inbreds."
Despite expressing concerns that McClean's actions could come back to bite him, Tozer was full of praise for his old colleague's work ethic and down to earth nature.
He added: "He is phenomenal as an athlete and what a mindset. He literally goes home and does two more gym sessions. He'll run 5km or 10km before training on the treadmill and do 10 or 12 rounds of boxing.
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"Honestly, he's an absolute animal. As a lad, he couldn't have been any more different to what I expected when he signed. His family are lovely and they're all just normal people."