James McClean has ended his time in English football by directing an obscene gesture at opposition fans during Wrexham's Championship match against Leicester City. The former Republic of Ireland international, aged 36, walked onto the pitch at the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday evening to a warm reception from home supporters before turning to the away end and raising two middle fingers.
McClean, whose Wrexham contract ended last weekend as he returned to his boyhood club Derry City, later wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you for the send-off, Wrexham fans... been class. To all the away fans over the years, f*** you and good riddance... it's been a laugh.' The gesture is unlikely to draw punishment as he is no longer under FA jurisdiction.
The incident follows a long history of tensions with opposition crowds, stemming largely from McClean's refusal to wear a poppy on his shirt for Remembrance Sunday, a stance that has drawn abuse and death threats. The EFL granted him special exemption last season, allowing him to bypass a regulation requiring players to leave via the nearest touchline, after a Birmingham City fan threw a cup at him in September 2024.
His wife Erin expressed relief at leaving English football, telling BBC Radio Foyle: 'Ninety-five per cent of the people that we've met over here have been amazing... That small minority did affect us... Now, we're getting to go home and settle.' She noted the family's resilience despite the hostility.
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney praised McClean's contribution, writing on Instagram: 'Have been trying to find the words to explain what @macajw means to me... but words don't exist for this. So for now, I'll just say: Thank you Jimmy. For everything.'
