James McClean on throwing petrol bombs at 11 years old, death threats and staying true to himself

James McClean on throwing petrol bombs at 11 years old, death threats and staying true to himself

James McClean with wife Erin and Lucy Kennedy

Lucy Kennedy with James McClean. Photo: Virgin Media

James McClean has said he learnt to make and throw petrol bombs at the age of 11 and that he took part in rioting when growing up in Northern Ireland.

The Wrexham captain revealed details from his childhood as he described criticism of his refusal to wear football shirts featuring the Remembrance Day poppy as “a pain in my arse”.

In an interview on Living with Lucy aired on Sunday night on Virgin Media, McClean said: “There would just be riots here non-stop and you’d be involved in the riots yourself.

“From the age of 11, 12, 13, I knew how to make petrol bombs and knew how to throw them,