Rob McElhenney joins Wrexham’s wild promotion party in Las Vegas as players celebrate League One rise in style – but Paul Mullin makes controversial ‘we hate the f***ing King’ jibe with James McClean
- James McClean openly admitted to loudly chanting anti-monarchy songs
- The Wrexham side celebrate their League One promotion in Las Vegas
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Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney joined in the side’s wild League One promotion celebrations in Las Vegas, but duo Paul Mullin and James McClean could be in trouble after making a controversial anti-monarchy statement.
The team was treated to a lavish vacation in Sin City, Nevada for the second season in a row, led by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and McElhenney.
The Welsh side sealed their place in the third tier of English football for the first time in 19 years after finishing second but painfully missed out on the title.
Shortly after the third season of hit docuseries ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ hit streaming platforms, McElhenney and Reynolds once again made sure their victorious players were treated like VIPs at their biggest party yet.
McElhenney himself joined in the festivities with the ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ creator posing for a photo alongside McClean and George Evans.
Rob McElhenney (left) attended Wrexham’s wild League One promotion party in Las Vegas
The Welsh outfit were treated to another holiday in Sin City by their Hollywood co-owners
Wrexham finished second in League Two this season and secured back-to-back promotions
Wrexham wasted little time after the end of the regular League Two season, landing in Vegas on Thursday and making the most of the trip.
Shortly after landing, winger Ryan Barnett posted a photo at TAO Asian Bistro, while McClean documented much of the first day on his Instagram stories.
They then returned to the iconic Hakkasan nightclub, the scene of last year’s boozy party following their historic promotion back to the Football League. A montage of highlights from this season played on the big screen in the hall.
American rapper Lil Jon performed on the night and the Wrexham players were even given their own VIP area after being treated to a hero’s welcome.
However, Mullin and McClean are in the spotlight after taking a divisive photo. The first posted the photo on Instagram with the caption: ‘We hate the f***ing King!’
Their players were welcomed like heroes when they went to the iconic Hakkasan nightclub
Paul Mullin and James McClean made controversial anti-monarchy statements (photo)
McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds stood alongside Queen Camilla and the King during a 2022 visit
The comment appeared to be a reference to McClean’s distaste for the monarchy. The 35-year-old, who has been given a new contract by the club, openly admitted singing anti-monarchy songs after being promoted last month.
A video emerged of McClean being serenaded by supporters with a song that included the phrase “he hates the damn king,” referring to his Republican stance. McClean himself joined in and seemed to egg on the crowd.
It came just a few weeks after Prince William visited Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground to meet staff and players and hear about the club’s staggering rise in the EFL. King Charles also met Reynolds and McElhenney during his own visit in December 2022.
Share a screenshot of Mailsport‘s story on social media, McClean commented, “Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang my heart out.’
He added: “Should I apologize for this? Absolutely not.’
Controversial Irish star McClean greeted Wrexham fans last month while singing an anti-King song
McClean doubled down in an Instagram post, saying he was “singing along at the top of his lungs”
McClean also reshared the recent photo with Mullin, saying: “We serve no king or emperor but Ireland. Sue me!’ It is believed that both photos have since been deleted.
In his autobiography ‘My Wrexham Story’, Mullin complained that the King’s visit to the club had disrupted preparations for a big match.
He then wrote: ‘I’ll be honest, this visit may have been heralded as a historic day for Wrexham, but it wasn’t for me. I have no interest in royalties.
‘I don’t see why anyone should have the God-given right to be born into such wealth and that we should have to pay for it. It just comes down to basic honesty.”
Wrexham declined to comment when contacted by Mailsport.