John Terry pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson on Instagram
Chelsea captain John Terry has praised Sir Alex Ferguson for the influence he gave him as a 14-year-old before going on to lift the same trophies with Chelsea. The Blues skipper posted a picture on his Instagram account with the former Manchester United boss behind the Premier League and FA Cup trophies.
At the age of 14, Terry who was then playing as a holding midfielder had already been identified as a possible option for Manchester United. Ferguson invited the former England captain with his father, who was also a Red Devils supporter up to Manchester to train during Terry’s schools holidays as he tried to convince him to sign.
Ultimately the Scottish manager was unsuccessful as John Terry chose Chelsea and went on to win four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League. By then, John Terry was already a popular figure at the Stamford Bridge along with earning 78 caps for England before retiring 2 years ago.
Terry missed out on Champions League glory against Ferguson's Manchester United side in the 2007-08 final in Moscow, slipping over and hitting the post during the penalty shootout. But Terry did not fail to praise the former Manchester United boss as he admired the personal touch of Ferguson in his footballing career. Speaking in an interview in 2006, Terry's childhood memories with Sir Alex flashed back.
“I was Man United growing up,” he said. “You know what it's like when you're a boy, you want to support the team that's winning everything. And my dad and granddad were Man United fans.
“But my first day at Chelsea I knew that was the club I wanted to be at. I just loved it. But Man United also approached me.
“I met Alex Ferguson - great to meet. During the school holidays, I would go up to Manchester and train with their boys for two weeks, play a few games and come home.
“But one thing that was really special about Man United was that Alex Ferguson took time out and invited me to one of their games and to have lunch with their players.
“So there we are - me, my mum and dad, my brother. He made me feel so special, autographs, my photo done with the Premiership trophy.
“I think it was hard for my dad to take that I was going to sign for Chelsea, but I had to sit him down and tell him it was definitely the right decision.”
Also read: Should John Terry return to the England national team?
Terry posted a picture on his Instagram account reminiscing the old days. Seated between his mother Sue and dad Ted, a young John Terry with a moppy hair sits next to Sir Alex dressed in a shirt and a tie.
There were a lot of rumours last season about Terry leaving the Stamford Bridge midway, but he signed a one-year extension to work with Antonio Conte. Terry is currently in his 19th season with the Blues and still maintains the captain's armband under the new manager.
After a fruitful Euro 2016 tournament with his country, Conte has delivered the perfect start for the Blues with a win in all of his first three matches. Chelsea now make a trip to the Liberty Stadium this week to face Swansea after the end of the international break.