Tom Brady was in the stands to watch former Ireland international James McClean in action on Monday night - and he certainly got an action-packed evening from the Wrexham star.
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady has recently invested in League One side Birmingham City, and was in attendance for the visit of Wrexham to St. Andrews on Monday, in a clash dubbed the 'Hollywood Derby' by the English media.
The recent investment in Wrexham by Always Sunny star Rob McElhenney and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has garnered worldwide media attention, with the Welsh side already pushing for promotion to the Championship, having been non-league just three years ago.
With intense media attention on Monday night's top-of-the-table clash, James McClean ended up being the centre of attention, as he was involved in a scrap, once again targeted by rival fans, and had a witty response to a missile thrown at him from the crowd - all while one of American football's all-time greats watched on.
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James McClean antics hit League One's surreal 'Hollywood derby'
The media attention on Monday night's game was surreal for a League One game. Rob McElhenney and Tom Brady were joined by David Beckham in the stands, as the top two in the League One table faced off.
Ultimately, the hosts would have the better of proceedings, with Brady's Birmingham running out 3-1 winners over McElhenney's Wrexham.
Wrexham's two Irishmen James McClean and Eoghan O'Connell were central players when things kicked off towards the game's conclusion, with the two teams embroiled in a scrap near the touchline with little over ten minutes to play.
James McClean and Eoghan O'Connell in the wars for Wrexham tonight. Irish-American Tom Brady can only applaud.pic.twitter.com/152PxOMscp
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 16, 2024
That would not be the end of McClean's antics.
The 103-times capped ex-Irish international was subbed off just moments after being involved in the kerfuffle alongside O'Connell, and received the kind of reception from the home fans that has become depressingly predictable over the years.
Once again, McClean was jeered and goaded with aggressive hostility from opposition supporters, with the Derryman eventually biting back.
McClean would respond to the vociferous reception from Brum fans by pulling up the left leg of his shorts to reveal his 'Free Derry' tattoo. With so much of the abuse McClean has received over the years stemming from his staunch Republican stance, it was a pointed message from the 35-year-old.
Seconds after McClean revealed his tattoo, a cup was flung in his direction from the stands. Not to be outdone, McClean managed to catch the missile, jokingly mocking taking a sip from the cup before casting it aside.
James McClean - living rent free in the heads of so many English foot all fans since 2011pic.twitter.com/k1ugPMDfFS
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 17, 2024
The abuse would continue as he made his way to the Wrexham bench.
Birmingham City fans introduce themselves to James McClean.pic.twitter.com/b1J44hWYW0
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 16, 2024
James McClean has had to become used to this kind of abuse from rival fans over the years. He has made no secret of his strong nationalist and anti-monarchy stances, both of which have earned him relentless abuse - much of it sectarian - from fans throughout his career in the UK.
After yet more targeted vitriol from the Birmingham fans on Monday night, McClean took to social media and entrenched himself deeper still.
James McClean on Instagram
😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FMdU9OKGfT— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) September 17, 2024
On his Instagram stories, McClean posted two photos. The first showed him flaunting his 'Free Derry' tattoo to the home fans, the second showed him catching the cup thrown at him during Monday's game.
In text, McClean quoted IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands before thanking a steward at St. Andrews for preventing fans from encroaching the pitch in their fury at the Irishman.
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of an Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."
P.S. fair play to the one old steward that held them all back from getting over the 2ft advertising hoardings.
The bigoted vitriol for James McClean is sadly unlikely to end any time soon - and the Derryman is unlikely to stop rising to it either.
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