**Wrexham Captain James McClean Shares Dramatic Details of Car Crash, Thanks ‘Lucky Escape’**
Wrexham AFC captain James McClean has opened up publicly for the first time about a frightening car accident earlier this year, revealing just how close he came to suffering serious harm on his way to training. The 36-year-old, who has been a pivotal figure in Wrexham’s recent successes, recalled the terrifying ordeal that left his car wrecked, yet remarkably spared him from major injury.
McClean, formerly of the Republic of Ireland’s national team, encountered the incident on 22 January 2025 as he travelled to a club training session. His Audi RS6 collided with a roundabout near Wrexham Golf Club during what he described as a particularly foggy morning, resulting in heavy vehicle damage and emergency services being called to the scene. Despite the severity of the crash, McClean was able to walk away with only minor injuries after undergoing precautionary medical assessments.
In the aftermath, the Wrexham captain showed an extraordinary level of commitment to his team by joining the scheduled training session the same morning. Furthermore, he went on to play in a crucial League One fixture against Birmingham City at the Racecourse Ground just 24 hours later, underlining both his resilience and dedication.
Speaking in the latest episode of the Disney+ documentary “Welcome to Wrexham”, McClean broke his long silence on the traumatic experience. “It was a really foggy morning and it was hard to see,” he said. “I thought I had more road than I did. I came out from behind a lorry and the roundabout just appeared. For the next five seconds it was just a blur.” Detailing the chaos immediately after, McClean noted, “Then the car stopped and there was smoke everywhere. The door was jammed, I had to really force it open.”
Reflecting sombrely on what might have unfolded, McClean admitted, “I just see it as there’s bigger things ahead for me and it just wasn’t my time. I was saved that day. It was a scary experience, but it just shows how quickly things can turn.”
The harrowing episode also impacted his family. McClean’s wife, Erin, recounted the moment she received news of the crash through a message from her husband, along with a photo of the mangled car. “I didn’t believe it. My heart started racing and I rang him straight away. I just jumped in the car and went straight to Wrexham,” Erin explained. She expressed immense relief that he was unharmed and determined to continue as usual.
The incident also brought negative attention online. McClean addressed social media abuse directed at his wife in the aftermath. On Instagram, following the 1-1 draw with Birmingham, he wrote: “I am blessed and thankful I managed to walk away with minor injuries and return home to my family, though much to the disappointment of some smelly scruffy pathetic creatures that messaged my wife online. Thank you for the messages of support.”
McClean arrived at Wrexham from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2023, further strengthening a squad that has seen a remarkable rise under the stewardship of Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Since his arrival, Wrexham have earned two straight promotions, advancing to the Championship—a run of success documented and celebrated by fans worldwide via the “Welcome to Wrexham” series.
The remarkable composure demonstrated by McClean in his return to training and subsequent performances have been widely praised by teammates and club officials alike. It is evident that the incident provided him, and those close to him, a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability, as well as the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
As the Wrexham captain continues to play a key role both on and off the pitch, this near-miss stands as both a sobering and inspiring chapter in the club’s ongoing story. Supporters and the football community at large have rallied with messages of encouragement, grateful for McClean’s recovery and ongoing contributions to the team’s ambitions.