Chelsea play at Stamford Bridge Stadium in West London. Chelsea have played there since April 1887.
If ever a footballer played with his heart on his sleeve, that man is John Terry.
I have no way of knowing the truth of the following story or otherwise but I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if it wasn’t true. Apparently, John Terry has the ball that he so horribly miskicked from the penalty spot in the Champions League final against Manchester United two seasons ago sitting in his house so that he can see it every day.
It must have been the worst moment of his career; and his genuine emotion was evident for everyone to see. Now, he uses it as a spur to his determination to make amends. That sums up the man.
John Terry was, of course, the only Englishman selected for the All Star team at the end of the 2006 World Cup – and that’s just one of the honours that have come the way of the Chelsea and England captain. Twice considered the Best Defender in the Champions League, the PFA Players’ Player of 2005 and in the FIFPro World XI for four consecutive seasons, he was also the first England player to score at the New Wembley – heading home a David Beckham free kick in the one all draw with Brazil in June, 2007.
Twenty-nine at the beginning of December, 2009, Terry has been a first team regular at Chelsea since the beginning of the decade. After a few games on loan at Nottingham Forest, he quickly became a permanent fixture in the Chelsea team and has played alongside some of the modern game’s best central defenders – Marcel Desailly, William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho. Ironically, when he joined the London club at 14 years old, Terry was a midfield player but it soon became apparent that the heart of the defence was going to be the best place for this dominating, strong player.
Terry’s courage, and complete commitment to the cause of his Chelsea and England teams, has become legendary. This is a man who would willingly put himself in jeopardy in order to prevent a goal – and who clearly expects nothing less from the players around him.
This selfless dedication, of course, almost had tragic consequences during the League Cup Final of 2007 against Arsenal when, diving in front of an opposition player, he was kicked in the head. Unconscious and nearly swallowing his tongue, only the prompt action of Gary Levin, the Arsenal physio, who rushed onto the pitch to take the necessary action, ensured that tragedy was avoided.
Never afraid of the physical side of defending, it might be a surprise to learn that Terry didn’t receive his first ‘straight red card’ until as recently as September 2008 in a match against Manchester City, although he has had his share of confrontations with opposition players.
He’s also scored his fair share of important goals – usually with headers from corner or free kicks. Of the 36 goals he’s scored for Chelsea, in his 427 matches in all competitions, many have been vital for the club; and all of them have obviously meant so much for this Chelsea stalwart and icon.
I’m sure there are many Chelsea fans who have already changed their screensavers to show John Terry celebrating his winning goal against Manchester United in the league recently. How good must that have made him feel?
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If ever a footballer played with his heart on his sleeve, that man is John Terry.
I have no way of knowing the truth of the following story or otherwise but I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if it wasn’t true. Apparently, John Terry has the ball that he so horribly miskicked from the penalty spot in the Champions League final against Manchester United two seasons ago sitting in his house so that he can see it every day.
It must have been the worst moment of his career; and his genuine emotion was evident for everyone to see. Now, he uses it as a spur to his determination to make amends. That sums up the man.
John Terry was, of course, the only Englishman selected for the All Star team at the end of the 2006 World Cup – and that’s just one of the honours that have come the way of the Chelsea and England captain. Twice considered the Best Defender in the Champions League, the PFA Players’ Player of 2005 and in the FIFPro World XI for four consecutive seasons, he was also the first England player to score at the New Wembley – heading home a David Beckham free kick in the one all draw with Brazil in June, 2007.
Twenty-nine at the beginning of December, 2009, Terry has been a first team regular at Chelsea since the beginning of the decade. After a few games on loan at Nottingham Forest, he quickly became a permanent fixture in the Chelsea team and has played alongside some of the modern game’s best central defenders – Marcel Desailly, William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho. Ironically, when he joined the London club at 14 years old, Terry was a midfield player but it soon became apparent that the heart of the defence was going to be the best place for this dominating, strong player.
Terry’s courage, and complete commitment to the cause of his Chelsea and England teams, has become legendary. This is a man who would willingly put himself in jeopardy in order to prevent a goal – and who clearly expects nothing less from the players around him.
This selfless dedication, of course, almost had tragic consequences during the League Cup Final of 2007 against Arsenal when, diving in front of an opposition player, he was kicked in the head. Unconscious and nearly swallowing his tongue, only the prompt action of Gary Levin, the Arsenal physio, who rushed onto the pitch to take the necessary action, ensured that tragedy was avoided.
Never afraid of the physical side of defending, it might be a surprise to learn that Terry didn’t receive his first ‘straight red card’ until as recently as September 2008 in a match against Manchester City, although he has had his share of confrontations with opposition players.
He’s also scored his fair share of important goals – usually with headers from corner or free kicks. Of the 36 goals he’s scored for Chelsea, in his 427 matches in all competitions, many have been vital for the club; and all of them have obviously meant so much for this Chelsea stalwart and icon.
I’m sure there are many Chelsea fans who have already changed their screensavers to show John Terry celebrating his winning goal against Manchester United in the league recently. How good must that have made him feel?
