John Terry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Terry's breakthrough began in the 2000–01 season when he made 23 starts and was voted club Player of the Year. On 5 December 2001, he captained Chelsea for the first time against Charlton Athletic. By 2004, following Marcel Desailly's departure, new manager José Mourinho appointed him captain. This leadership ushered in a record-breaking 2004–05 season where Chelsea won the league with the best defensive record in Football League history. Terry was named UEFA Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008, and 2009, and included in the FIFPro World XI for five consecutive seasons (2005–2009). He also became the only English player selected for the all-star squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His resilience was legendary; in October 2006, he played in goal after Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini were injured, securing a 1–0 win against Reading.

In Their Own Story

The 2006–07 season tested Terry's resolve to its limit. Suffering from a recurring back problem that required surgery on 28 December 2006, he missed crucial matches where Chelsea drew with Reading and Fulham. He returned on 3 February 2007 against Charlton Athletic, playing his first full 90 minutes in nearly three months. His resilience peaked during the League Cup final against Arsenal. While throwing himself at a corner to head the ball clear, he was kicked in the face by Abou Diaby, knocking him unconscious for several minutes. He nearly swallowed his tongue and required immediate hospitalization but discharged himself the same day to celebrate Chelsea's 2–1 victory. Later that year, on 5 November 2006, he received a ban after being sent off against Tottenham Hotspur and charged by the FA for questioning referee Graham Poll's integrity, eventually pleading guilty and paying £10,000. Despite these setbacks, he captained the side to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Reader's Guide

Terry's career is defined by historic firsts and statistical milestones. On 26 May 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. Earlier that year, on 10 January 2007, he also became the first player to score an international goal there, netting a header in England's 1–1 draw with Brazil. He is the club's all-time highest-scoring defender and one of six players to make over 500 appearances for Chelsea. After leaving in 2017, he spent one season with Aston Villa in the Championship before retiring following their loss in the 2018 play-off final.

Did You Know?

• Terry was the only English player named in the all-star squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
• In October 2006, he played as goalkeeper for Chelsea's final minutes against Reading after both Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini were injured.
• He became the first captain to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007.
• Terry is Chelsea's all-time highest scoring defender.
• In 2005, he was voted PFA Players' Player of the Year and UEFA Club Defender of the Year.