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Biography of John Terry - Soccer
Biography
J
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. start box succession box|title=PFA Players' Player of the Year|before=Thierry Henry |after=current holder|years=2005 end box

