John Terry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Terry was named UEFA Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009, PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005, and was included in the FIFPro World XI for five consecutive seasons, from 2005 to 2009. He was also named in the all-star squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the only English player to make the team. In 2024, Terry was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. Terry is Chelsea’s most decorated captain in terms of trophies won. During his 19 years with the club, he led them to five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Europa League and one UEFA Champions League title. He is one of six players to have made over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the club's all-time highest scoring defender. In 2007, he became the first captain to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium in Chelsea's 1–0 win over Manchester United, and also the first player to score an international goal there, scoring a header in England's 1–1 draw with Brazil. In his final season at Chelsea in 2017, he became the first ever player to captain a team to the Premier League title on five occasions. Following his departure from Chelsea, Terry spent one season with Aston Villa in the Championship before retiring, ultimately losing the 2018 Championship play-off final. He returned to Aston Villa a few months later as assistant manager to Dean Smith. The side went on to win the 2019 Championship play-off final to be promoted back to the Premier League. Terry left the role in July 2021. When Smith joined Leicester City as manager in April 2023, he appointed Terry to his coaching staff once again.

In Their Own Story

The drama of Terry's career was often played out under extreme pressure. On 14 October 2006, with goalkeepers Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini injured and no substitutes left, Terry took over in goal against Reading, keeping a clean sheet to secure a 1–0 victory. Less than three weeks later, he was sent off for the first time in his Chelsea career against Tottenham Hotspur, receiving two yellow cards. The emotional peaks were equally intense; during the 2007 League Cup final against Arsenal, Terry suffered a severe injury when Abou Diaby kicked him in the face while clearing an attacking corner. Unconscious for several minutes and nearly swallowing his tongue, he was stretchered off to University Hospital of Wales. He discharged himself that same day, returning to the Millennium Stadium just in time to celebrate Chelsea's 2–1 victory with his teammates.

Reader's Guide

Terry made his Chelsea debut on 28 October 1998 as a late substitute in a League Cup tie with Aston Villa; his first start came later that season in an FA Cup third-round match, a 2–0 win over Oldham Athletic. He spent a brief period on loan with Nottingham Forest in 2000. He began to establish himself in the Chelsea first team from the 2000–01 season, making 23 starts and was voted the club's Player of the Year. Following Desailly's departure, new Chelsea manager José Mourinho chose Terry as his club captain. Terry captained Chelsea in the 2007 FA Cup final, the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.

Did You Know?

• Terry was born on 7 December 1980 in Barking, Greater London.
• He attended Eastbury Comprehensive School and played for local Sunday league team Senrab.
• As a boy, Terry was part of West Ham United's youth system, joining them as a midfielder in 1991.
• He moved to Chelsea at 14, playing for the club's youth and reserve teams.
• It was due to a shortage of central defenders that he was moved to centre-back.