Latest news with #McClean
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
James McClean makes big career decision after success of last year with Wrexham
Former Ireland star James McClean has signed a new two-year contract to remain with Wrexham AFC. McClean, who captained the side last season as the club earned back to back promotions to reach the EFL Championship, has made 89 appearances for Wrexham. The 36-year-old Derry man, who made 103 appearances for Ireland, has signed on until the end of the 2026/27 season. 'I'm delighted to be extending my contract with the club," McClean said. "It's no secret that I've enjoyed my time here and I want to help continue the success we've had so far. My family love it here, I love it here and we're excited for the future.' McClean became a fixture at left-wing back in the club's promotions to League One and the Championship after making his debut for Wrexham in 2023. While he has spoken of his desire to play for his home-town club Derry again, McClean was keen to extend a career across-channel that has seen him play 158 times in the Premier League and 221 times in the Championship. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson reacted: 'We're pleased to secure an extension to Jimmy's contract. He's an important player and character in the dressing room as we prepare for a historic season.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Coote and Boyd goals give Shelbourne victory away to Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers 0-2 Shelbourne SHELS bagged the three points at the Showgrounds to boost spirits ahead of their latest midweek Euro trip. Sligo Rovers will rue their profligacy in front of goal as the visitors were clinical with two second half opportunities to move to within a point of fourth-place Drogheda in the Premier Division table. READ MORE:Ireland warm up for Rugby World Cup with comeback win in Cork READ MORE: Madie Gibson stars as impressive Athlone Town progress in Champions League There was controversy seven minutes from time when Rovers lost goalkeeper Sam Sargeant to a straight red card from ref Rob Harvey for handling outside his penalty area, although replays showed the netminder did so on the line. In-form Rovers were also unhappy that they weren't awarded a second half penalty when Shels debutant Milan Mbeng appeared to foul Will Fitzgerald. After playing Qarabag in Baku in their Champions Cup qualifier second leg last Wednesday, and ahead of next Wednesday's first leg trip to Reijka in Croatia in the Europa League, Joey O'Brien will be pleased to leave the north west with a victory in Shels' first League game since July 4. Ali Coote produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock in the 47th minute when he raced away from Fitzgerald, side-stepped Paddy McClean and fired into the corner of the net from just outside the box. Then two Reds subs combined to double the lead 18 minutes from time when John Martin, whose four goals this season have all come against Sligo, turned brilliantly and surged into the Rovers box before passing to Sean Boyd, who finished well. However, Rovers boss John Russell will feel his side should have taken something from the game. Cian Kavanagh somehow missed from six yards in the ninth minute when set up by McClean's first-time centre. And McClean should have equalised in the 53rd minute when he headed over Owen Elding's cross from inside the six-yard box. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
1News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Wrexham captain on potential signing of All Whites defender
Wrexham AFC captain James McClean says the players will welcome All White Liberato Cacace with open arms, if the New Zealand defender completes a reported move to the Welsh club. The two previously crossed paths when the All Whites and the Republic of Ireland battled out a 1-1 draw in 2023. 'In my last ever Ireland game, we played New Zealand and he played that night,' McClean told Breakfast. 'I know he did quite well at [Italian side] Empoli last season, but I wouldn't say I know very much more than that." Mclean said he looks forward to the competition new players at the club bring. ADVERTISEMENT 'This club's moving forward all the time - the more you go up the divisions, the better players you're going to sign. 'If he does sign, we'll welcome him with open arms like we always do, and we'll relish the competition for places because it's only healthy.' All White Liberato Cacace (left) and Wrexham AFC captain James McClean (right). (Source: Photosport/Getty) Cacace previously played for the Wellington Phoenix, adding an extra level of intrigue ahead of their pre-season friendly tomorrow. Wrexham skipper McClean has enjoyed the welcome extended to the side in the capital 'It was incredible, we got to see and embrace the culture here. 'For me, it was a great experience to see the haka up close and personal for the first time here.' ADVERTISEMENT The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a Wellington house fire, the UK lowers the voting age, and the Obamas joke about divorce rumours. (Source: 1News) He admitted he was still surprised by the global level of support the Welsh club has generated. 'Obviously, we know the support in America, given the owners and where they're from, but to come over here and see the fanbase and the support and how big it is, it just shows you where this club is at. 'It's massive worldwide.' Watch the Phoenix take on Wrexham live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ2 from 4.30pm
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘Crest of a wave': Wrexham's Australian goals
Wrexham captain James McClean isn't ready for the Red Dragons' 'unimaginable' success to stop despite the resurgent Welsh club preparing for its toughest challenge yet – securing promotion to the English Premier League. That laser focus on taking the massive next step will be evident on a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand, with McClean declaring the players are 'not here for a holiday' ahead of matches against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. Owned since early 2021 by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham – the world's third-oldest football club – has enjoyed a meteoric rise from the ranks of English non-league football. Three successive promotions has them set to compete in the second-tier English Championship from next month, and should they maintain their uninterrupted run of moving up divisions, the Red Dragons will be competing in the 2026-27 Premier League. Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds celebrate the club's promotion to the English Supplied 'When you're riding the crest of a wave like you are, you just go along with it,' Irish winger McClean said on Tuesday in Melbourne, where Wrexham starts its tour with a game against the Victory on Friday night at Marvel Stadium. 'Where the club has gone in the last few years, it's been unimaginable. I'm guessing even for the owners and everyone involved, it's probably exceeded their wildest expectations. 'I'm loving every second of it, and I'm sure the rest of the lads are as well. Long may the success continue.' Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who has been in charge of the team since July 2021, admitted the club's recent rise had been remarkable. 'Sometimes you have to pinch yourself about how quick the progression has been,' Parkinson said. 'We're really looking forward to the challenge (of playing in the English Championship). Everyone's got to raise their game in all areas of the club, but this is what football's all about. 'We're going into a real 'big boys' league this year. The Championship's one of the most competitive leagues not just in European football but in world football.' Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson (left) and his Melbourne Victory counterpart Arthur Diles will go head-to-head on Friday night. Jason Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia Victory coach Arthur Diles said Friday's match would 'showcase' his club on the world stage. 'It' gives us an opportunity to grow our brand and the football market of Australia internationally,' Diles said. 'Wrexham's a hot ticket at the moment in world football. What they've achieved in the last three years with three consecutive promotions … they're a club doing great things on and off the pitch. 'There are definitely things we can learn from them, and there are also definitely things they can learn from us. 'It's a great night for us.' Wrexham's tour also includes a game against Sydney FC next Tuesday night at Allianz Stadium and a trip to Wellington to meet the Phoenix on Saturday week at Sky Stadium. Wrexham squad: Arthur Okonkwo, Callum Burton, Danny Ward, Max Cleworth, Aaron James, Dan Scarr, Eoghan O'Connell, Max Purvis, Lewis Brunt, Tom O'Connor, Ryan Longman, Ryan Barnett, Matty James, George Evans, George Dobson, Andy Cannon, Alex Moore, Ollie Rathbone, Elliot Lee, Harry Ashfield, James McClean (c), Jacob Mendy, Seb Revan, Ryan Hardie, Sam Smith, Callum Edwards, Mo Faal, Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott, Jay Rodriguez
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James McClean makes telling admission on Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds' involvement
James McClean has reflected on Wrexham's meteoric rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, backing the club to defy doubters with a historic promotion push in the Championship Wrexham skipper James McClean has lifted the lid on how involved co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney get in running the club. The Hollywood actors have transformed the Welsh side's fortunes since taking over more than four years ago. The Red Dragons have enjoyed three successive promotions under manager Phil Parkinson, taking them from the National League to the Championship. Former Republic of Ireland international McClean played a key role in their two most recent campaigns in League One and League Two. And the 36-year-old wing-back has praised Reynolds and McElhenney for resisting the temptation to interfere in playing matters. The pair are heavily involved in supporting the club in other ways, including boosting its profile through the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, providing players with advice and making savvy business deals to increase revenue. However, McClean believes that leaving key football decisions to Parkinson and his coaching staff has been a masterstroke by the two A-listers. He also spoke in glowing terms about his time at the club to date and how it has helped to prolong his career. "It's class and I've found a place where I'm appreciated," McClean told the Irish News. "People have got a lot of respect for me and when that's the case, obviously I'll go above and beyond to repay that. "It has given me a new lease to life, I'm enjoying my football and I feel like I can do this for a long time yet. Rob and Ryan are 100 per cent part of it, but they are very clever men. They are part of it to a certain extent. "They obviously don't get involved with team affairs, they leave that to the managers, but to have owners involved as they are in the right way, it's class. There are no words to describe the impact that they've had and the praise they deserve, because it's absolutely above and beyond." Wrexham are currently preparing to play in the Championship for the first time in 43 years. Parkinson has also brought in two new faces to help his side compete in the second tier, with Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie and Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward joining, and more expected to follow. While the manager is expected to be well-backed in the transfer market by Reynolds and McElhenney this summer, some pundits have already dismissed Wrexham's chances of pulling off an unprecedented fourth promotion in a row. But McClean was bullish when asked about the club's hopes of reaching the Premier League for the first time ever and warned people not to write them off. The ex-Sunderland and West Brom player said: "The rise of the club from where it was a few years ago to where it is now is great. We're on a roll at the minute, momentum is like a steam train, the buzz around the place is brilliant. "From our point of view, it's the same as every year. We'll go into the season with people telling us 'this can't be done' and 'that can't be done' and 'this is a step too far', but with Wrexham it's the old fairytale story and let's see how we get on." McClean added: "We we told two in a row would have been tough, three in a row would be impossible and four in a row is just non-existent and it won't happen. We've done the previous ones, so I wouldn't put it past us doing the unthinkable." 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.
