James McClean and Paul Mullin delete controversial Instagram story during Wrexham promotion party

Paul Mullin and James McLean have deleted a controversial Instagram story made during Wrexham's promotion celebrations in Las Vegas.

Last month Wrexham clinched promotion for the second season in a row, securing a return to the third tier of English football after a 19-year absence.

As was the case after winning the National League title last year, the club's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney treated the squad to a post-season trip to Las Vegas.

Shortly after the launch of the third season of the hit docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham', the stars were living it up in Sin City, and received VIP treatment in the famous Hakkasan nightclub.

Several squad members have been sharing highlights from their trip on social media, but Mullin and McClean sparked controversy by posting an anti-monarchy message.

The former posted a selfie of the pair on Instagram with the caption: "We hate the f****** King!"

McClean shared the snap to his own Instagram story with the caption: "We serve no king or kaiser but Ireland! Sue me."

Both stories have since been deleted.

The 35-year-old Irishman - who has been offered a new contract by the club - has never hidden his Republican stance and has always been vocal about his dislike for the monarchy.

After Wrexhams secured promotion last month, McClean admitted to singing anti-monarchy chants on the pitch as he celebrated with supporters.

A video emerged of McClean being serenaded by supporters by a song which features the line 'he hates the f****** King', referencing his Republican stance. McClean himself joined in and appeared to be urging the crowd on.

Sharing a screenshot of the Daily Mail's story on the incident, McClean commented: "Is this correct? Absolutely and I also sang at the top of my lungs. Do I make any apologies for doing so? Absolutely not."

In his autobiography My Wrexham Story, Mullin complained about King Charles' visit to Wrexham in December 2022.

He wrote: "I'll be straight: This visit might have been billed as a historic day for Wrexham, but it wasn't for me. I've no interest in royalty.

"I don't see why anyone should have the God-given right to be born into such wealth, and then for us to pay for them as well. It just comes down to basic fairness."

Topics: Wrexham, Football, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, League Two, League One

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a journalist at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He can often be found watching dreadful non-league football.

@alex_brotherton