Continued For McLean, this history is personal. On January 30, 1972, British soldiers opened fire on a civil rights march in his hometown of Derry. Thirteen people were killed that day and fourteen died later. The massacre became known as Bloody Sunday and was a major turning point in the conflict known as the Troubles.
When McLean first refused to wear the poppy in 2012, even his own Sunderland fans booed him. He says the backlash hastened his departure from the club and believes other clubs continued to sign him because of his stance. He also recalled that he received threats and that they sent him pills in the mail.
Despite the pressure, McLean stood by his decision and challenged what he saw as a double standard. Will the English wear a poppy for the "patriotic echo of Ireland"?