Former Sunderland winger James McClean has hit out at Derry City amid an escalating contract dispute
Former Sunderland winger James McClean has strongly criticised Derry City over their handling of an ongoing contract dispute, insisting he remains fit enough to play and will decide himself when his career is over.
The 37-year-old returned to his hometown club from Wrexham in January but has not featured in a matchday squad since Derry’s UEFA Conference League defeat against Rijeka in July. McClean has now addressed the situation in a statement published through the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, describing recent months as one of the toughest periods of his life.
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Reports have suggested Derry explored the possibility of terminating his deal because of injury problems, with the club understood to have considered using a clause relating to permanent incapacity. McClean has firmly rejected any suggestion that he is no longer physically capable of playing.
“For any club to feel it is OK to attempt to terminate a player's contract without any due process or just cause is incomprehensible, and it sets a dangerous precedent for every player in this league,” he said. “I am not permanently incapacitated, or anything even remotely close to that.
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“I am capable of contributing and doing well in the League of Ireland. I train as hard and give as much as anyone. I will decide when I retire. Nobody else will make that decision for me. When that time comes, my body will tell me. This is my life and my career.”
The PFAI said McClean had been dealing with a hip problem which occasionally prevented him from training or playing, but added that he is now fit. According to the players’ union, McClean has trained fully for the past nine weeks, has made himself available for selection and recently took part in an internal game organised by Derry. He has nevertheless remained outside interim manager Mark Connolly’s squad.
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McClean did acknowledge that some of his own actions during the dispute had been “misjudged”, admitting his frustrations should have remained behind closed doors. The experienced winger spent two years at Sunderland after joining from Derry City in 2011, making 70 appearances for the Black Cats before leaving for Wigan Athletic in 2013.
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