Footballer James McClean has allowed fans to see his true side and how sometimes events in his life have caused him to ‘block out’ certain memories.

His book, The Walls, is set to hit shelves on October 22 and looks at not only his football career, but life growing up in Derry, and meeting his wife Erin.

The couple, who married in 2016, have been through plenty of ups and downs, including James and their daughter, Willow-Ivy, being diagnosed with autism. However, it is his wife, Erin, who has often tried to make the footballer attend therapy to help him battle with his past.

Speaking to the Irish Independent ahead of his book release, James said his wife, Erin, often would mention the idea of counselling. ‘

Erin would say it’s caused a lot of built-up anger and frustration in me; that I’ve blocked it out and that I need to speak about it.’

However, to this day the footballer refuses to go, stating, ‘It winds me up: ‘Well, how can I speak about something that I’ve blocked out?’ I’ll say. And she’s like, ‘No, you need to speak to someone….As a man, I see that as weakness.(Therapy) I don’t need to open up. I see it as a weakness that I’d have to speak to someone about my feelings, my emotions …’

In his book, James opens up about growing up in Derry in the nineties, and finding out that his biological father was a heavy drinker and was very violent to his mum, Shauna.

When his father moved to Belfast, James was only four years old, and his mother Shauna began a relationship with Patrick McClean, the surname that James would soon adopt.

Despite having a happy home with Shauna and Patrick, those around town, kids and adults, would often taunt James about who his biological father was.

Looking back, James remembers ‘He’s an alcoholic (his dad). People are making fun of him, and I’m getting mocked by the older lads: “That’s your daddy”.’

However, for James, regardless of the pain and suffering he experienced as a child, the footballer is determined to work his problems out on his own; no matter how hard his wife pushes, the therapist’s couch is not for him.