[Arcane Astral Aeons]

personally i don`t see what the fuss is about
i`m sure we have players already playing for us that have private issues about their religious beliefs
just because he decides to make his public(and good for him that he has)don`t make him a nasty person.
besides aint we signed him as a footballer?...

or do we have certain supporters who are going to give him crap about the religious issues if he has a bad game?
my message to those "supporters" is simple.

Feel free to hand back season tickets
i`m sure they will go to some fans that want to watch football and not be taken in by vitriolic religious crap.

football should be free from politics/race/and religion
i wonder if those "fans" handing back season tickets
deep down hate the non white players we have?


its a game at the end of the day
a game we all love
and a club we all love

one final point

i`m irish(as most of you know)
i would never dream of booing a player simply because he aint irish

i personally welcome James McLean to the family that is West Bromwich Albion

Rant Over

Have A Good Day

[Kookiebags]

Morning All,
                I was always taught that polite conversation should not include politics or religion, as this was sure to cause ill feeling and dissention among normally decent folk.
I do not think this a bad standard to live by when considering how we look at others in the public eye.
I am old enough, and lived close enough to the events of that sad day in November 74, to remember the feelings from both sides of the communities, and that to this day still divide opinions in Birmingham, but we have to move on, and put things behind us.
JM was not even born when the things that happened were perpetrated, and , as he rightly says, every man must stick to his beliefs, so lets cut him some slack, and lets see what he can bring to the table as a player, not a political tool.
My wife (who happens to hail from NI ) has pointed out that we have current NI internationals playing for us, and have had others in the past from both sides of the border, and nobody seems to have questioned them regarding their affiliations or beliefs, but accepted them as part of the club, and cheered them on just as much as any other player, whatever their beliefs and backgrounds.
Just my opinion folks.
Cheers,
             Kookiebags.

[BaggyBomber]

Last year many supporters threatened to return their season tickets. I understand evetually about twenty did. Can't remember what the issue was. A year's time this matter will probably have about the same significance.

[Slick_Footwork]

I'm not big into politics so that's not a concern of mine.

I'm more concerned with the fact that the player is a bog average journeyman, kick and rush
merchant, who looked completely out of his depth at this level in the past. An attacking player
with little in the way of skill, no vision and a tendency to whip crosses into the stand.

I was hoping we'd aim higher than this. If you're going to sign someone who 'divides opinions',
they should at least be half decent. McClean is just a work horse. I hope he's only come in as cover.

[BBB]

Whatever you may say, he writes a fair letter that I understood he felt he ought to write. I also have my beliefs in thinking my wife is beautiful, however I cannot condone any of you thinking she is a fat, ugly young bat, its your right to say it, and mine to ....! Never mind.

Let him play football, he might also teach some of our players to write/speak correctly as well...a bargaaun as they say in Ireland - the barhaaun I made up.

BBB...oh how many more will Pulis pull in do you think?

Also Norwich are looking good in the centre back positions - ah no Dorrans scores 1-0, ah no Malumbu scores 2-0. Then Ba scores 2-1, etc Final score 2-3 for the Albion.

Finally let him play and keep your negative thoughts to yourselves, and as for the guys not re-newing their memberships, they ain't true Baggies fans, so who cares.

[silverbaggie]

Last year many supporters threatened to return their season tickets.  I understand evetually about twenty did.  Can't remember what the issue was.  A year's time this matter will probably have about the same significance.

Wasn't that about the appointment of Alan Irvine?

[May68]

To be fair to McClean, he was pretty much backed into a corner over the poppy thing by virtue of having to wear one on his shirt.  This meant he either had to go against his beliefs or try and convince people why he didn't want to wear one, and he chose the latter option. He probably would've preferred it if the issue never came up in the first place, but for some reason it has now become standard for football shirts to have a poppy on them every year so this wasn't possible. My fear is that this issue will raise its head every year which is a shame.

[Boing Splat]

2 signings from TP so far McManaman and McLean, are we trying to emulate Wigan or a get a team full of Mcs ,McAuley signed a new contract.
Almost makes you yearn for the days of the silky smooth skills of Carl Heggs , anyone remember him??  Back then part of the enjoyment of going to the Hawthorns seemed to be to take the p out of the 'less gifted' players. Perhaps thats what we have to look forward to.

[valpayne]

I'm old enough to remember the troubles.  Unfortunately I believe politicians and religious views perpetuate mistrust and ill will. I went to see an Irish friends play in Kilburn many years ago that dealt with this sensitive issue and I learned things from that experience. I saw both sides of the story and realised how much suffering it has caused over the years. I remember the bombings, it was frightening to a kid at the time. a bit later in life I worked with a friend who admitted to me one day that his beliefs were similar to that of James McClean. I remember being shocked at the time but it didn't change who he was or our friendship. 

I personally have no religious beliefs. I believe religion was the tool to suppress common people for 100's of years by the hierarchy and as religion has become less and less prominent in modern times politics has taken up the mantle of providing fear and hatred of other human beings and their beliefs. I'm so sick of it in fact I simply don't watch the news and i don't read newspapers because to me it's all propaganda and I'm too old and jaded to put up with it anymore, so I block it out and shove my head in the sand. Thats me.

 James McClean has his views and beliefs and the guts to stand up for them whilst delivering a well written, intelligent letter that clearly explains his views and why he felt compelled not to wear the poppy. He's a footballer not a politician but he has obviously felt and seen the suffering that war causes. I support anyone that stands up for their beliefs as long as they do the same for me. Personally I always buy a poppy because I believe and I really hope it does genuinally provide financial assistance for the men and women who fought and suffered in the world wars and I believe in that cause 'nuff said.

I'm sure Chris Brunt and Gareth McCauley have a view point on this and it may also turn out to be controversial. Lets enjoy our football and leave the evil stuff to the men in suits

  

[talkSAFT]

................ My fear is that this issue will raise its head every year which is a shame.

No doubt James will be 'rested' for that weekend!

When do people 'forgive and forget'?
Irish initially hate us (English) for what Oliver Cromwell did to them back in 17th Century. More recently (early 20th century) they had more reason (forgive my lack of knowledge). And again in the 1970s our troops were ordered to go over-the-top again (although they wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for The Troubles. Note, I'm not being judgemental - so don't have a go!)
I'm just saying:    WHEN do you forgive?
I can remember going to Villa Park in the '66 World Cup (aged 16), and quite liking some of the Krauts we spoke to. I don't recall feeling any animosity.....and this was just about a generation after WW2, which was a generation after WW1. Britain suffered horrendously - more than the Irish ever did - and yet we soon forgave the Krauts! My Old Man had been in WW2, but he soon forgave.
I'm sure James' family had every reason to dislike Britain, and ingrained it in him. They didn't ingrain it in him enough not to accept £££ though.

You can't judge people by their own principles if you don't know the background. James seems a thoughtful type, but I just wonder whether it will be too early for James' grandchildren to ever wear a poppy.