Latest news with #JamesMcClean
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham's James McClean speaks out on scary car crash – 'Smoke was everywhere'
Wrexham captain James McClean has opened up on the car crash he was involved in on his way to training earlier this year and how he was lucky to escape unscathed Wrexham skipper James McClean has recounted the harrowing moment he narrowly escaped severe injury following a car crash. The ex- Republic of Ireland star was driving to training on January 22 when his Audi RS6 hit a roundabout near Wrexham Golf Club. Despite extensive damage to his vehicle, the 36-year-old walked away from the accident with only minor injuries after being checked over as emergency services attended the scene. In an astonishing show of resilience, McClean didn't let the scare stop him and made it to training later that day once his car was removed. He even took to the pitch for Wrexham 's important League One match against Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground the next night, which ended in a 1-1 draw. McClean has now opened up about the incident, acknowledging he was fortunate to avoid more serious consequences. Discussing the ordeal during the latest instalment of the ' Welcome to Wrexham ' docuseries, McClean said: "It was a really foggy morning and it was hard to see. I thought I had more road than I did. I came out from behind a lorry and the roundabout just appeared. "For the next five seconds it was just a blur. Then the car stopped and there's all this smoke coming out of the car. The door was quite wedged and I was banging it to get it open." Reflecting on the seriousness of the incident, he added: "I just see it as there's bigger things ahead for me and it just wasn't my time. I was saved that day. It was a scary experience, but it just shows you how quickly things can change." McClean's wife Erin also expressed her alarm upon hearing about the accident via a text from her husband, with whom she shares four children. "I got a message from James saying he'd just been in a crash and he sent me a picture of the car," she said. "I didn't believe it. "My heart just started racing and then I rang him straight away. He answered and I was like, 'Are you hurt?' He was like, 'I'm actually okay.' I just jumped in the car and went straight to Wrexham. He came out and was like, 'I'm going to training.'" McClean previously exposed the vile taunts that Erin faced online after the accident. Taking to Instagram following his appearance against Birmingham, he posted: "Now that the game is out of the way, to address yesterday. An experience I never wish to encounter again. "I am blessed and thankful I managed to walk away with minor injuries and return home to my family, though much to the disappointment of some smelly scruffy pathetic creatures that messaged my wife online. Thank you for the messages of support." McClean made the move to Wrexham from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed sum in the summer of 2023, having previously played in the Premier League with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion. He has been instrumental in helping the club, which is owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secure automatic promotion in the past two seasons, propelling them from League Two to the Championship. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
James McClean's chilling car crash revelation as Wrexham star breaks silence on ordeal
James McClean's chilling car crash revelation as Wrexham star breaks silence on ordeal Wrexham captain James McClean has candidly discussed how he narrowly avoided serious injury in a car crash on his way to training, describing the experience as 'scary' Wrexham captain James McClean has reflected on how close he came to serious injury after a car crash (Image:) Wrexham captain James McClean has opened up about how he narrowly avoided serious injury after crashing his car. The former Republic of Ireland international was on his way to training in the city on the morning of January 22 this year when his Audi RS6 hit a roundabout near Wrexham Golf Club. The 36-year-old underwent medical checks after his car was left severely damaged, but miraculously emerged relatively unscathed himself as police and fire crews attended the scene. Undeterred by the frightening experience, McClean later attended training as planned after his car was taken away by a recovery vehicle. And he was even well enough to play in a crucial League One clash between Wrexham and rivals Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground the following evening. While McClean was left with only minor injuries, he has now revealed how he was lucky to escape serious harm after admitting "I was saved that day." He lifted the lid on what happened in scenes aired as part of the latest episode of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. "It was a really foggy morning and it was hard to see," McClean said. "I thought I had more road than I did. I came out from behind a lorry and the roundabout just appeared. For the next five seconds it was just a blur. "Then the car stopped and there's all this smoke coming out of the car. The door was quite wedged and I was banging it to get it open." Article continues below Wrexham's James McClean was involved in a car crash on his way to training in January (Image: Instagram/macajw ) Reflecting on how severe the incident could have been, he added: "I just see it as there's bigger things ahead for me and it just wasn't my time. I was saved that day. It was a scary experience, but it just shows you how quickly things can change." McClean's wife Erin, with whom he shares four children, also spoke out about how concerned she was after learning of the crash via a text from her husband. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. "I got a message from James saying he'd just been in a crash and he sent me a picture of the car," she said. "I didn't believe it. My heart just started racing and then I rang him straight away. "He answered and I was like, 'Are you hurt?'. He was like, 'I'm actually okay'. I just jumped in the car and went straight to Wrexham. He came out and was like, 'I'm going to training.'" McClean previously disclosed how Erin was targeted with unpleasant messages on social media in the immediate aftermath of the crash. Posting on Instagram after starring in Wrexham's 1-1 draw with Birmingham, he said: "Now that the game is out of the way, to address yesterday. An experience I never wish to encounter again. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Article continues below "I am blessed and thankful I managed to walk away with minor injuries and return home to my family, though much to the disappointment of some smelly scruffy pathetic creatures that messaged my wife online. Thank you for the messages of support." McClean joined Wrexham from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023 after playing in the Premier League with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion earlier in his career. He has helped the club, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, achieve automatic promotion in the last two seasons, rising from League Two to the Championship.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham want to go further says transfer advisor Les Reed
The Reds made Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie their first new signing of the summer this week and they have been linked with a whole host of names as they return to the Championship for the first time in 43 years. 'If they are athletically strong and fit and can compete for their place, then Phil has been public about this, there's an opportunity,'' transfer advisor Reed told The i paper. 'In the Championship, they will need to be athletic. 'We're also trying to build a club and a team that can go further, so there are difficult decisions to make. 'We are definitely aiming high; we mustn't lose that aspiration and momentum. 'We're not by any means predicting that we're going to go to the Premier League, but we don't just want to go 'okay, the journey is over, we're in the Championship, let's stabilise and consolidate'. 'We need to get through this window with some good recruitment and establish ourselves, not as a survivor, but as a challenger, i.e. in a good season, could we get into the play-offs?' Wrexham have brought in ex-Premier League players James McClean, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Fletcher over the years to provide the experience to gain promotion. But that policy may change with Reed adding: 'It's not swansong land for players who are having one more go before they retire. 'Our ambition will be to drive the average age down, but at the same time remain competitive. "We can't just go 'that's it, we're only going for younger players'. A couple of clubs recently – and I won't mention their names – have done that, and it hasn't worked. It will be a mix. MORE WREXHAM AFC NEWS 'James McClean is still running around like a 25-year-old. "Let's take an equivalent of Jamie Vardy. Everyone thinks he's out of contract, there's no transfer fee, Wrexham could do that. You're talking about players who are on £140,000 a week. We are a million miles away from that because we don't get Premier League revenues or broadcasting money. 'I think we were linked with Kevin De Bruyne at one stage! 'There is a certain level of Premier League player who, if they are on £100k to 150k-a-week, are still going to get close to that if they move to the MLS or Saudi Arabia than if they go to Wrexham.'
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Supercomputer predicts new Championship season with Wrexham fairytale continuing and ex-Premier League trio relegated
WREXHAM are in line for a fourth-straight Hollywood season, according to a new Championship supercomputer. But it's bad news for former Premier League side Watford, who are pipped for relegation to League One for the first time in 48 YEARS. Advertisement 5 A supercomputer has tipped Wrexham to make the Championship play-offs Credit: Rex 5 Watford are predicted to suffer relegation from the Championship Credit: Rex 5 Tyler Dibling has been predicted to win theChampionship with Southampton Boffins at booted up their intelligent PC, which simulates every single fixture 10,00 times for the most accurate score. It estimates the outcome of games based on a team's current strength (based on factors such as league position and form) and betting market odds. And the results are astounding, with Wrexham, who became the first team to earn The Red Dragons, once suffering a record 15-straight seasons in the National League before Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney saved the day, are predicted to finish inside the play-off spots next season. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Linked with a host of big names, including Jamie Vardy and Bristol City to sixth-place on goal difference. Meanwhile, the clever AI algorithm reckons Southampton will go straight back up by winning the Championship. The Saints, who hired race with Sheffield United, who will finally earn automatic promotion at the second time of asking. Fellow relegated sides Ipswich, Leicester and Frank Lampard's Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Tom Brady-backed EFL points last season (108), will also register an admirable top-half finish. On 65 points, the Blues are set to finish ahead of neighbours Middlesbrough . 'He's got the fastest hands' - Wrexham star James McClean tipped to beat up Jake Paul in boxing fight Meanwhile, Championship newboys Charlton Athletic are expected to avoid a return to League One, finishing six points above the drop. Advertisement In terms of the relegation places, Hull City join Watford in the dreaded drop to the third-tier. Watford last played in League One (then known as the Football League Third Division) during the 1977-78 season. Derby finished 19th last year, while Hull are pipped to finish rock-bottom after just about saving themselves on the final day this season, after Luton lost to West Brom. While the supercomputer thinks the likes of Preston, QPR, Boro and Oxford United will narrowly survive. Advertisement And Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea will finish a respectable mid-table. 5 Wrexham star James McClean could return to the glittering heights of Premier League football after playing with West Brom and Sunderland a decade ago Credit: Rex 5 Omari Hutchinson helped Ipswich earn promotion to the Prem in 2023/2024, before being relegated this season Credit: Getty
Leader Live
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham AFC's promotions marked in "unique" way by Iceland
The van, now nicknamed the 'Red Dragon Roller' by Iceland, will deliver to the city's homes, proudly championing the ever-rising heroes of Wrexham. Following the historic third successive promotion which has the city in a celebratory mood this summer, Iceland decided to mark the occasion with a wrapped van. The Iceland Foods van (Image: Iceland Foods) The van features Wrexham FC Captain James McClean lifting the trophy that marks their promotion to the Championship, as well as the words: 'WELL DONE WREXHAM ON YOUR BACK TO BACK TO BACK PROMOTIONS'. An Iceland spokesperson said: 'Wrexham's incredible achievement deserves to be celebrated by the whole community, and we're proud to play a small part in that. MOST READ: Planning application submitted for huge new housing development in Wrexham Jealous thug headbutted ex after 'asking about her sex life with new man' Wrexham man to hike mountain range - carrying fridge freezer! 'The Red Dragon Roller is our tribute to the team's hard work, resilience, and the pride they've brought to the city. Whether we're delivering dinner or a few drinks to celebrate the rise to the top, we're with Wrexham every step of the way.' The eye-catching van has already been spotted on the streets of Wrexham, drawing cheers and photo ops from fans. A local Iceland delivery driver said: 'I've never had so many people waving at the van! Kids are pointing it out, fans are snapping photos, it's like driving a bit of the celebration through the city. You can really feel the pride everywhere we go.'
