A star was born

Friday, 09/10/2009

Next summer will mark a very special tenth anniversary for John Terry.

It’s one he has probably shunted to the back of his brain, but one if he reads this that he will definitely remember. JT was just 19 at the time, just about to break into the big time with Chelsea having had a successful and career-defining loan spell with Nottingham Forest. 

Now this is where a certain Surrey school headmaster and I will attempt to take credit for spotting the potential of a then very shy footballer. That decade ago I had taken JT to a school to meet and greet the kids and put together a feature for Shoot. He arrived almost on schedule (not many players do that) and was as nervous as someone starting a new job. But John played his part, had a kick around with the kids, claimed he couldn’t do more than six keepy-ups and then answered every question fired at him. Some 20-30 youngsters had been given the chance to meet him but word got out and in an area containing a lot of Chelsea fans the school hall soon had around 120 children, parents and grandparents wanting autographs. JT’s agent looked nervous, I was a bit concerned and the headmaster moved to end the deluge of requests. JT would have none of it – he signed for everyone! Nothing was too much trouble.

The headmaster said at the time that JT was a future captain of England. Prophetic words! But JT’s great gesture and the head’s amazing prediction are not the reasons why JT will most remember the day… he also put a severe dent in his new Merc! John, you were a hero that day mate, you’ve more than lived up to your on-field promise, now lift that World Cup. England, retired headmaster Graham Oakley and former pupils of Knaphill School all expect…

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