Latest news with #RemembranceSunday
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
James McClean gets reality check on controversial Wrexham acts and consequences
James McClean has been cautioned that his habit of provoking fans of Wrexham's rivals could potentially backfire on his team. 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." Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. from £4.99 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." Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here 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."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
James McClean sent warning over behaviour by ex-Wrexham colleague - 'It can go against you'
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. 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. 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. Article continues below 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. "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." Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. 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. 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." Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here 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. Article continues below "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."
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Powys County Times
Newtown Remembrance parade assault man's order extended
A Newtown man has had his community order extended after he missed three appointments. Dean Murphy had been due to attend the Kaleidoscope offices in Newtown on February 19 and 24, and again on March 28, but didn't turn up. The substance abuse sessions were part of the 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days that were part of the order set by Welshpool Magistrates' Court in January after Murphy assaulted an emergency worker during Newtown's Remembrance Sunday parade last year. He had completed three days. As part of the order, Murphy was told he would also have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and be subject to a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring tag. The court was told yesterday (Tuesday, June 25) that although the abstinence had been completed, Murphy had only completed two hours of unpaid work and that there would be a further court hearing to remove them. Gurleen Kaur, defending, said there had been a "miscommunication" in which Murphy did not think the appointments were a mandatory condition of the court order, but added that he would be compliant in the future. The 37-year-old, of Heol Y Coleg in Vaynor, admitted the breach and was fined £120, and told to pay £65 court costs. But magistrates said they were concerned he would not complete the remaining 22 rehabilitation days before the order runs out, so they extended it by six months. Chairman of the bench, Stephen Pembroke, noted that Murphy hadn't "really done a lot towards this community order."
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Free Stagecoach South Wales bus travel for Armed Forces
This includes all local bus services from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, June 29. The initiative allows members of the Armed Forces community to travel at no cost to parades, ceremonies, and community events in Wales. To access the free travel, serving military personnel simply need to wear their uniform or show a valid military ID. Veterans can present either a veterans' badge or a military medal. This gesture is part of Stagecoach's ongoing commitment to recognising and supporting the Armed Forces. Stagecoach South Wales's managing director Martin Gibbon said: "We're incredibly proud to support Armed Forces Day and recognise the important contributions of those who serve and have served. "Providing free travel across South Wales is a small gesture to show our appreciation and help people attend local events to honour the Armed Forces community. "We're also committed to being a supportive and inclusive employer for veterans and service families." The company also provides free travel on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday each year, in honour of those who have served. Stagecoach is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and continues to expand its internal Veterans Network. This colleague-led group provides support for service leavers, veterans, reservists, and military families within the business. Stagecoach's initiative is part of a broader nationwide commitment to the Armed Forces community. For information on local services and timetables, visit the Stagecoach website.
South Wales Guardian
25-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Ammanford events mark Armed Forces Week and Neville Bowen
The first event, held at All Saints Church, saw the dedication of a new standard for the Ammanford-based Military Veterans Club Cymru. Reverend Ali Reeves led the service, which took place at the end of Holy Communion, bringing veterans and dignitaries together for the unveiling of the local military charity's flag standard. This standard is set to feature in future events, including Remembrance Sunday. The new standard was the subject of a dedication ceremony at All Saints Church (Image: Stuart Ladd) His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards, and mayor of Ammanford, Heulwen Howells, were among those who provided readings. Tara James, a former Royal Navy WRNS, was given the honour of carrying the standard. As co-owner of local café bar Haz Beanz, she and her husband Matthew have been welcoming former and current members of the armed forces to the venue. The café has become a fixture in the local support network for veterans, hosting regular weekly meetings and events. Following the church service, attendees moved to Betws Park for a memorial ceremony. Wanda, Neville Bowen's daughter, was in attendance for the dedication of a bench in memory of her father (Image: Stuart Ladd) This event featured the unveiling of a bench and newly planted trees in memory of Neville Bowen, a 102-year-old Royal Naval DEMS gunner who passed away earlier this year. The Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, along with the Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Louise Fleet, and the Veterans Commissioner for Wales, Colonel James Phillips, attended the ceremony. They were joined by veterans from the Royal British Legion's Ammanford, Garnant, Llanelli, and Burry Port branches, Military Veterans Club Cymru members, representatives from all three armed forces, local town and community councils, as well as family and friends of Neville Bowen. There were many people in attendance (Image: Stuart Ladd) After the unveiling of 'Nev's Bench', a blessing was given by the Military Veterans Club Cymru Padre, Reverend Ali Reeves. The event concluded with veterans singing one of Mr Bowen's favourite songs, You'll Never Walk Alone. The bench and trees were installed thanks to an initiative by Military Veterans Club Cymru chairperson Owen Dobson and former Royal Marine Jonathan Andrews as well as the Friends of Betws Park.
