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The Walls
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- Signed by James McClean
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- Book Synopsis
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This is the raw untold story of a footballer from Creggan, a complex and deprived area of his beloved Derry, who defied the odds to reach the summit of his profession.
James McClean grew up in the staunchly republican Creggan area of Derry where he came under the influence of Martin McGuinness, the IRA commander/Sinn Fein leader, amongst others. His decision to shun alcohol and other temptations from an early age meant that he could concentrate on his sporting talent and his dream of becoming a professional footballer. His breakthrough came with his local club, Derry City, who don't play in the Northern Ireland league, but in the Rep of Ireland, before he was capped for an underage Northern Ireland team. He then dramatically switched his allegiance to the Rep of Ireland. He played 103 times for Ireland.
He signed for Sunderland in the Premiership and went on to play for Wigan, West Brom and Stoke before a return to Wigan and ending up most recently at Wrexham. His English playing career could be termed more 'journeyman' than star, but his life off the field was far from dull, most notably his decision not to wear a poppy when clubs started to print it on their jerseys. His decision meant he has been both condemned and supported. The BBC said in 2015 that McClean's decision not to wear the poppy was one of the top 5 reasons people stated they wouldn't wear one. After the refusal he was subjected to sectarian abuse and loyalist threats, including death threats.
Ideal for readers who…
- Have followed James McClean's career and want his own account of it - McClean has spent fifteen years in English football, earned a century of caps for the Republic of Ireland, and has just returned to his hometown club, Derry City. The Walls is his account of that career, in his own words.
- Are interested in the relationship between football, identity, and Northern Ireland's history - McClean has spoken publicly for over a decade about his reasons for not wearing a poppy, rooted in his connection to Derry and Bloody Sunday. This memoir gives the fuller context behind a position he has had to explain repeatedly throughout his career.
- Want to understand what it has meant, day to day, to hold a public position that draws sustained criticism - McClean has spoken about the abuse he has received over many years. This book is an opportunity to hear, in detail and in his own words, what that experience has actually involved.
- Are from Derry, Creggan, or follow League of Ireland football - McClean began his career at Derry City and has now returned there. For readers with a connection to the club or the city, this is the story of one of their own, told from the beginning.
- Read sports memoirs for more than the sport - The Walls sits alongside other recent Irish sporting memoirs that use a career in sport as a way into a much larger personal and political story.
- About The Author
- James McClean was born in Derry in 1989. He is the fifth most capped Republic of Ireland footballer of all time. He played in the Premier League with Sunderland and West Brom, and was captain of Wrexham during their rise through the divisions. He lives in Derry with his wife and children.
- Product Details
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- ISBN
- 9781844887101
- Format
- Hardback
- Publisher
- Sandycove, (22 October 2026)
- Number of Pages
- 320
- Weight
- 560 grams
- Language
- English
- Dimensions
- 240 x 156 x 31 mm
- Categories: