As a romantic author who respects himself, I couldn’t resist writing about a special man of the English football fields, James McClean.

Neither is he a popular footballer nor was he ever meant to become special. He never attracted the flashlights because of his achievements in football. I always try to find characteristics like James’ in society, especially nowadays, qualities that are different from what modern lifestyle imposes. I know that you’d prefer reading a tribute to a different footballer but believe me, my choice will make you think differently.

This is especially written for some youngsters who tend to lose the main point this sport is about. They often admire noticeable stats, goals, and generally numbers and overlook these humanitarian achievements.

HIS CHILDHOOD:

On the 22th of April, 1989, newborn James saw the sunlight for the first time. He was born in Derry, the second biggest city in Northern Ireland. Coming from a wealthy family, which provided him with everything he needed in order to follow his dream, he took his first football steps there. He started ”timidly” and joined the academy of the amateur club Trojans F.C. After that, he joined a more popular club in his country, Insitute F.C., which played in NIFL Championship (2nd division). When he was 18 years old (2007-08 season), he made his professional debut. After just one appearance, the team decides to offer him an improved contract.

To everyone’s surprise, James rejected it, because he always dreamt of wearing the jersey of Derry City. Everyone thought that this young boy was crazy, as he didn’t accept a lucrative offer in order to follow a far more difficult path. He used to spend most of his time training, as his desire was to get better every day. His individual trainings were multiplied, as he was completely focused on his one and only target.

THE EXACT MEANING OF ‘’HARD WORK’’:

In the summer of 2008, Derry City offered trials to every local talent. After a lot of training, James was ready to attend them and there he impressed everyone. Consequently, the club picked James and three others. He was finally realising his dream. In August, he signed his first contract with the club. Nevertheless, his first year was far from ideal, as he remained out of the playing squad most of the time. With the start of the next year everything changed, as he gradually became irreplaceable. Subsequently, Lincoln City showed interest in the player. The two teams agreed a deal but he preferred to stay put, as he wasn’t feeling ready to leave his country.

MOVING TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE:

After three full seasons, Sunderland pay 400.000 pounds for him in 9/8/2011. James, who started from scratch, manages to get into the Premier League. The manager of the “Black Cats”, Steve Bruce, was impressed by the work rate of the footballer. Everyone speaks about a rare type of person, one who never stops working. He may lack talent, but he has always been characterized by a lot of passion for what he has been doing. That’s why he has a successful football career.

He introduced himself straight into the starting eleven of Sunderland, where he spent two years recording 60 caps and 7 goals. But there was something missing, as he seeks for a transfer without a proper explanation for leaving the team. Rumour has it that he didn’t have the best of relationships with some of his teammates, something that wasn’t confirmed from either him or them; he only stated that he didn’t like it there.

In the summer of 2013 he decided to join Wigan, a Championship club at that time. Although he received better offers and many rushed to judge him for making the wrong decision, at “Latics” he stood apart. He spent two years there and he constantly showed that he should have been playing at a higher level. After 73 matches and 10 goals, West Bromwich Albion express their interest. Everyone was claiming that: “James will not return to the Premier League and he’ll join MLS”. The New York Red Bulls come up with an official offer with generous wages for the player, but the 26-year-old rejects it.

He wants to remain at the highest level and in a competitive league. As a consequence, he joins the “Baggies” for 1.500.000 pounds, where he remains until today. At “The Hawthorns”, under the guidance of Tony Pulis, he finds his ideal place. The Welshman, known for his love for the tough game, acknowledges James’ passion. He is the ideal player for Pulis. He has already played 90 times for West Brom, but it is unsure whether or not he will break the record of 100 caps. This is due to the fact that Albion are very close to be relegated to the Championship, thus making his future pretty unsure.

THE ‘’REBELLIOUS’’ FOOTBALLER:

His football career may seem a bit indifferent, but there’s an interesting part of it. This regards the red poppy flower, which the players wear every autumn in Britain and Canada. The flower is dedicated to the First World War and the money collected are heading to the Royal British Legion, which is an official charity organization for British Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and their families.

James is the only athlete that refuses to wear the red poppy flower on his jersey. Something that has impressed the public is his body language, when England’s National anthem is being played. While everybody in the football field are leaning to the left and are proudly looking high, McClean remains unshaken, while having his head slightly bent. For another time, he stands out, like a fish out of water, but this displays his unacceptance of this English custom.

He states, regarding the incident:

“I truly respect everyone who died in the World War. Many of these people were Irish. If the poppy flower was a symbol for the dead, I’d wear it. But this is a symbol of other fights, from 1945 and afterwards. For all the residents of Derry, the ‘Bloody Sunday’ of 1972 is still in our memories. If I wore such a thing, it would mean lack of respect. I don’t hate England, I am not a terrorist, I’m just a peaceful man. I ask them to respect my beliefs, as I do with theirs. I want my kids to grow in a peaceful environment and I don’t want to receive silly attacks. I am proud of my origin. A man should support what he loves and believes, not disrespect them. Many of you may disagree, but I was raised in this way”.

The text above is part of a letter written by him, concerning this issue. But the English fans are not sensitive, as McClean receives criticism most of the time, even from his own team fans. Fans of Sunderland and West Brom booed him at times, whenever he touched the ball in a match. Even in some of his city walks, people taunt him. He has even received “death calls” for himself and his family.

THE “SPECIAL” NUMBER 14:

He doesn’t seem to quail, after all. He knew that this ‘’war’’ is going to take place against him, but he will never quit his beliefs. Besides, being different always results in such behaviours. He, as a character, is outgoing and has chosen to express himself every single time. He never hid behind words and always supported his beliefs.

He once told a journalist about his shirt number:

“This number represents the victims of the city I was born. Fourteen innocent people were brutally killed by English soldiers. Neither I nor the people of Derry will ever forget it. My jersey will always have that number in the back, so I can remember them”.

He always carries these victims in his memory. But there was one day that his jersey number was different. It was a special day and he felt like changing it. On this day, Derry City’s captain , Ryan McBride, died at the age of 27. James, playing for his National team against Wales, asks for his number to change. He will play for the first time with number 5 in his back, to honor his unlucky friend.

THE GREAT Mr. ΜcCLEAN:

Towards the end of this tribute, I couldn’t resist mentioning his life out of the football pitch. The 28-year-old is married to Erin McClean and they have four children. He likes spending his free time with his family and taking long walks with his children. He gives everything to them, as he says, and these family moments are the ‘’cure’’ for everything that bothers him.

James is especially loved in Derry, due to his beliefs and support to the city. He often offers a lot of money to charities and it is well known that he provides ‘’Wells and Foley Valley House’’ with food and funds, an organization fighting against poverty. In 2016, he started a business which prepared clothes for homeless people. Last year, he founded a rehabilitation center for people that are long-term alcoholics, all of them in Derry.

His humanism was proved once again, when he spent 1500 pounds to buy a special bike for a young boy that suffered from a rare neural decease, called “Spina Bifida”. In addition, he has bought an apartment for a homeless pregnant woman and he has undertaken the expenses of a 4-year-old boy’s surgery, who suffered from cancer. Last but not least, he paid for the funeral of a newborn baby, because his family couldn’t afford doing so.

The prettiest thing in these stories is that they came up to publicity without James’ feasibility. In England, he is the “black sheep”. He isn’t especially loved from the fans and he never was the young boys’ idol. He is an old-fashioned footballer with different characteristics from the rest of all of them. The media never projected him and he was never acknowledged for his talent.

But, James has a big heart. He has high ideals and he’s always ready to fight for them. He really offers his love to people and for me, a person like him is an idol. Such personalities are absent from society and especially sports. The expression “I wish I had 11 footballers with James’ passion” is usual.

Because football isn’t only about dribbling skills and goals. It is a sport in which, years ago, everyone wearing a specific jersey had to fight for it. You had to give everything for the fans and the badge you were wearing. Personally, I still search for this passion around me. I look for such idols. For guys like James, who love and honor our favorite sport.

Mr. James McClean, this tribute is for you. For you, who decided to go against our modern era and revive every day the famous quote: “against modern football”.

God bless you, James!

A modest fan.