James McClean gets reality check on controversial Wrexham acts and consequences
The ex-Ireland international is a beloved figure among the Welsh side's supporters, having led them to two promotions since his arrival in August 2023. However, the warm welcome he receives from Wrexham fans contrasts sharply with the reception from other clubs' supporters.
Throughout his career, the winger has faced abuse due to his choice not to wear a poppy on his shirt around Remembrance Sunday. McClean typically handles the flak in a relaxed manner, often waving at opposing teams' fans to rile them up.
During a League One match against Birmingham in September, the 36-year-old responded to taunts from home fans by showing off his 'Free Derry' tattoo. The Wrexham captain was also spotted catching a cup thrown at him from the crowd at St. Andrews and pretending to drink from it in a defiant gesture.
While McClean seems to use the hostility as motivation, one of his former team-mates has now warned that it could have adverse effects as the club gears up for life in the Championship next season. Defender Ben Tozer played alongside McClean during the 2023/24 season when Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secured promotion from League Two.
He praised the Derryman's character but warned that his antics could provide opponents with extra motivation to win. Speaking on 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.
"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.
"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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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson highlighted the challenges faced by McClean due to abuse from crowds during 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."
Wrexham celebrated a successful end to their 2024/25 season with promotion from League One in April. 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.
"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."
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