Hammers star reveals threats to him and his family
Not surprisingly it came from online keyboard warriors who are incredibly brave within their own four walls but not quite as threatening as they sound when they start considering entering those of other people.
However, it’s a shocking commentary on our times that football and the star players’ place within it can create such behaviour.
There’s a debate to be had on the rights and wrongs of players representing one country before switching to another but that it should bring the sort of nonsense that Declan and those close to him were exposed to is outrageous.
Declan has become more and more outspoken about various issues since the season started and his readiness to to do so is to be welcomed in a world where star footballers are protected to ridiculous lengths.
Fair play to him that he’s prepared to discuss these matters but it doesn’t make the any anymore acceptable.
Yeah, I’ve had a few bad bits,” he told ITV News when asked about social media attacks.
“I’ve had people saying they’re going to come to my house…yeah online.
“There’s a few bits I could go into, but I don’t need to go into it, threats to my family, threats to me.
“You click on their profile and they’d just be a fake profile, so don’t know whether it’s true or not.
“But do you know what? I know, thinking about it now, I was never actually scared about it, because always fans are going to be giving me abuse and whatnot over it.
You just kind of look at it and laugh, you think, ‘Yeah, all right, as if you’re going to come and do that type of thing’.
“It was tough, there has been some abuse, it was more for my mum and dad really.
“They were more worried about me than anyone else, I was always quite strong minded.
“My mum obviously with me being her youngest, she was always a bit worried. Other than that, I don’t take any notice of it. I just try to keep focused.”