Northern Ireland

James McClean: "Derry's getting its rightful name back"

James McClean has expressed his support for Derry's name to be changed. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
James McClean has expressed his support for Derry's name to be changed. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin James McClean has expressed his support for Derry's name to be changed. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

REPUBLIC of Ireland footballer James McClean has expressed his support for a motion to have the city of his birth officially re-named as Derry.

In a tweet the West Brom player wrote: "Derry’s officially getting its rightful name back."

It is the second time in recent weeks McClean has become involved in politics, after turning his back as God Save The Queen was played during a friendly game in the US.

In 2012 McClean chose not to wear a poppy during a Premier League match for Sunderland, maintaining his stance when he moved to Wigan a year later.

On Friday it emerged that former Rangers defender, Kirk Broadfoot, had received a ten-game ban for launching a tirade of sectarian abuse at McClean during an English Championship match in March.

The name change motion was passed at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council last week, with Sinn Féin, the SDLP and independents all voting in favour.

Derry City and Strabane District Council is now set to write to Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, urging him to clarify the name.

Unionists have reacted angrily to the proposal, describing it as "sectarian" and "disgusting", with some claiming the name Londonderry represents both nationalist and unionist traditions.

A previous Sinn Féin attempt to have the name changed in 2010 was voted down by the SDLP and unionist parties.