John Terry

John Terry (born December 7, 1980 in Barking) is a
English professional football (soccer)|football
player. He was born in Barking, East London|East
London and went to Eastbury Comprehensive School.

Before being spotted by Chelsea, he played for
Sunday League Team Senrab FC.  This team featured
many future stars including Terry himself, Bobby
Zamora, Paul Konchesky, Ledley King and J Lloyd
Samuel.

Terry is a strong, hard-tackling centre back, and
currently, captain, for Chelsea F.C. in the
English Premier League. He came up through the
Chelsea youth system, playing for the club's Youth
and Reserve teams before making his Chelsea debut
in October 1998.

There were strong calls for him to make the full
squad for the 2002 World Cup, his international
chances were ruined after an incident involving a
bouncer at the Wellington Club in Knightsbridge.
Terry, along with team-mate Jody Morris and
Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon defender Des Byrne, were
charged with affray. Terry was banned from playing
for England at all levels until the case was
settled. The player was cleared of all charges in
August 2002.

In season 2003/04, his strong, committed and
inspiring displays led to him being handed the
captain's armband by manager Claudio Ranieri when
Marcel Desailly was out of the side. He played
very well in the absence of the French legend,
establishing himself as a genuine contender for a
first team slot.

Terry is now a regular on the England national
football team|England national team, having earned
16 caps, making his debut in June 2003 against
Serbia and Montenegro national football
team|Serbia and Montenegro.  He played for his
country at Ec2|2004.  He has been the heart of the
Chelsea defense that has been the most
well-marshalled in Football league history in the
2004/5 season, conceding only 14 goals.  In that
same season he was voted PFA Player of the Year by
his peers. In 2005 Terry was voted best defender
of the UEFA Champions League tournament of
2004/2005.

Early in his career Terry was involved in numerous
unsavoury off the pitch incidents, but he is now
praised as a model professional. Along with Frank
Lampard, Claude Makélélé Eidur Gudjhonson and
Petr Cech, he is regarded as a part of the "spine"
of the Chelsea team. He is especially popular with
Chelsea fans, as he is a Londoner who came though
the club's youth system. He wears the number 26
shirt at Chelsea.

He currently lives in Surrey with his girlfriend,
Toni Poole.

His older brother Paul Terry|footballer, is also a
professional footballer. He currently plays for
Yeovil Town FC.