by Chris Tobin
As a footballer John Terry has been an immense proposition for many of the world’s greatest strikers to have to overcome, a man of steel at the heart of a Chelsea and England defence. Terry is someone who can never be accused of not giving less than 100% to his team’s cause when stepping over that white line and into a footballing arena.
John Terry – or JT as he is known, and what truth in the rumour that this acronym was used by the young John as up until he was 15 he could not spell his own name – is what would be described as an old fashioned centre-half, playing the game the way it was played in those halcyon days gone by, where men were men and Harry Kewell and Arjen Robben were just twinkles in the worrying eyes of their fathers.
JT was Premier League player of the year back in 2005, on three occasions being named the best defender in Europe, so here we have a man who Chelsea fans adore, and tribal-like support him to the absolute – and why not he is the club captain.
The press JT receives seems to be less representative of what he does on a football field, more often than not focusing on his off-field activities, both private life and football related. Has John Terry let himself down on various occasions? He appears to have a self- destruct button, one which no matter how often, or how hard he hits it destruction is averted. Like a cat with nine lives however JT is fast running out of attempts.
JT clearly has the skin of a large rhino and the memory of a goldfish – lacking in moral fibre, self- centred with arrogance to match. He would seem to stutter from one controversy through to the next with such an ease, only ever holding up his hands whilst begging for off-side, and never once to apologise, if anything totally the opposite – more likely to look for an excuse toward his behaviour.
All previous dastardly deeds that JT has been guilty of, or accused of – with guilt yet to be decided, would pale into insignificance with his self-indulgent display in Munich, his belief that he indeed has an importance far greater than his team mates, a man that would sit on the side line of the Champions League final, with kit adorned under his track-suit completed with shin-guards and socks pulled up to his knees – warrior like in preparation for battle.
Unfortunately Terry would not be required at this fight, having lost the opportunity when, with a stupidity reminiscent of…..err… John Terry, he would foolishly get himself sent off in the semi-final when trying to remove the arse off someone “Who came across my path” with his knee.
When Roy Keane and Paul Scholes would both miss the final in 1999, they would find themselves stuck in the crowd suited up, and did not get anywhere near the trophy until 30 minutes after the game had finished even though Keane was the club captain. John Terry is slightly classier than those two however – and more important.
I wonder what Terry’s approach would have been if Chelsea had lost that final, after having to play without their inspirational captain at the heart of that defence – would he have been so quick to strip off Superman like speedily rushing to take the blame for his clubs inability to lift that trophy. Well we will never know, but of course we can guess from a man who would constantly ruin each apology with an excuse, his very own justification.
It would seem quite apt that the handing over and lifting of the trophy, would be the worst ever lifting of the Cup with big ears, where John Terry would find himself ironically obscured from view at that key moment, rendering his participation irrelevant as history will show that the moment Chelsea were handed their first European Cup John Terry is missing. Compare that to the historical photos of years gone – Bobby Charlton 1967 – Emlyn Hughes 1977 – John McGovern 1979 – Steven Gerrard 2005 all which have become iconic images in the English game.
Then we have the England scenario; a true man of war with the so called bulldog spirit would surely step aside in an attempt to unify his countries team, knowledgeable that in some way he was indeed putting his Queen & Country before his very self whilst making it easier for the players and management to concentrate on issues of football.
JT’s attempt at mutiny at the World Cup in South Africa you would think reason enough for any incoming manager to buy a bargepole and position it between himself, his team and John Terry. One of the problems in the game today is the very fact that managers and coaches have no concerns about morality in choosing who they wish to represent them on a football field. This is not a young lad finding his feet in the World – this is a grown man with form, and not the sort you find on OPTA.
You don’t get to the stage of being despised by generally all football fans outside of Stamford Bridge without some reasoning and whilst it’s accepted that you are a good footballer with reliability over many seasons, a winner, equally it is accepted that as a human being you come across as completely narcissistic, with little regard for others and react in a childlike manner when charged with such accusations.
Will you ever learn? I doubt it.
You kind find me on twitter https://twitter.com/christobinsings
Your article is beneath contempt, for one simple and very straightforward reason. ALL the Chelsea players who were unable to play in the game – Ramirez, Ivanovich, Terry and Meireles – wore their full kit, including shin pads. It was to show that NO-ONE is bigger or smaller in credit for the success of the Champions League run and that ALL the players were a major part of the success. If anything, it was a grand gesture of solidarity and pride of achievement. The players who were not in the Final did not MOPE or feel sorry for themselves – they were OVERJOYED for their comrades and for the fans and for the club, despite their own loss of “personal” glory.
And yet you, with your ridiculous article and further attempts to besmirch, call it something worthy of being despised for. YOU are the despicable one, as your writing clearly proves.
Don’t be a coward. Post my previous response and let it be known that you don’t know what you are talking about. Publicly ridicule Ramirez, Ivanovich and Meireles, who were also in their full kit and seen clearly on TV, for the same reason you insult Terry, or otherwise apologize to the latter. You know what? I think you are too gutless and agenda-driven to do the right thing. You are a worst character than anyone you’ve written about. Gutless. And a liar.
What are you waiting for? Let us see your condemnation of Ramirez, Ivanovich and Meireles for doing EXACTLY what Terry did. Let us see you describe the show of unity by all the non-playing men as an act of narcissism again, but this time aimed at all who participated. Let us see you repeat how much better it is to sulk in the stands like Keane and Scholes, than to live every moment with your team-mates even though one hasn’t the joy of participating oneself. Come on man, don’t abuse your position as a writer – try to show the guts of a John Terry at least and face your own detractors like a man. Tell us the truth of what the absent players were doing by ALL wearing their kit proudly, or just realize you are unworthy yourself. Go on boy… show us what your made of. Try. It’ll be good for your soul to be honest for a change.
What’s the delay? Come on lad, watch the videos and see ALL four of the suspended Chelsea players in their full kit, celebrating. According to you this is behavior that says all four thought they were more important than their team-mates. So come on, publicly berate all of them, as you did one of them. Or as I said earlier, set the record straight. Watch ALL four of them doing the same thing and displaying their unity and total lack of self-interest, and repeat your claim that it was despicable behavior. Come on son, speak up. You’re a man with a lot of words, hiding behind a wall of “moderation” – come out and show what guts you have and put the record straight. You know, I hope you don’t, so you remain the wretch that you’ve shown yourself to be in your article.
Calm down sir cecil your going to have a heart attack, plus your missing the point, the players (including JT) were not in the wrong for celebrating, JT however should not of gone anywhere near the trophy until all the players who had played had lifted it, the guy is a horrible human being and Chelsea fans should not be as protective over him as they are, he wouldn’t be for them, not that I blame them though he is there captain after all
Methinks Sir Cecil needs to calm down a bit, maybe he needs to get down his drinking club in the city for some buttock thrashing what!!
Nothing against JT and company celebrating winning, (it is however a team game and without their contribution Chelsea would not have got there), but going up the steps to recieve the cup when he was not even on the bench? Some brilliant readers photos on the Telegraph web site today (John Terry scene stealing)awhich can be seen here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/picturegalleries/9282200/John-Terrys-scene-stealing-inspires-Telegraph-Sport-readers-in-pictures.html
Sir Cecil, have you now blown all your gaskets?
In contrast to the disgusting article by the whelk Tobin, I find the scene-stealing pictures amusing and enjoyable. After all, they are truthful inasmuch as they reflect the fact that Terry has indeed won EVERYTHING there is to win. A remarkable haul for a one-club man who has been pilloried ceaselessly by jealous no-goods and leeches.
Thank you for posting these excellent images. They remind me of the magnitude of the achievements of Mr. Terry.
Thanks Sir Cecil,
I’m really glad that you have a sense of humour!!! Good luck!