John Terry: Fifty Defining Fixtures by Garry Hughes could have easily been called John Terry: A Man Who Did It All or John Terry: A Portrait of Loyalty. We are, after all, talking about a player that has won literally everything, including four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Europa League. Terry was the man behind Chelsea’s unprecedented success and he spent his entire career with the Blues, a true sign of loyalty in a world of millionaire footballers going to the highest bidder.
Terry was brilliant for club and country, captaining both throughout his career. He would play in both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups. He was a beloved player, highly regarded by fans around the world.
The book starts with a nice foreword from fellow Chelsea legend Ron “Chopper” Harris, who had over 600 appearances with the Blues before moving on to Brentford and Aldershot. He would give a glowing review of Terry’s career, citing Terry’s ability to be both an inspirational leader and a symbol of success.
The fifty games in this one range from 2000 to 2016. The first game profiled came from April 15, 2000 when Terry was on loan to Nottingham Forest. The other 49 games would see Terry not in red, but rather the blue of Chelsea. The entire book is a testament to Terry’s legendary status, having developed from a talented youngster to one of the world’s most respected footballers. It’s been quite a journey.
The title gives readers a true variety of competitions and opponents. You’ll relive Terry’s best moments from the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Champions League, international friendlies, and the FIFA World Cup. You’ll see magnificent performances from Terry against the very best, including Premier League sides, national teams, and the most elite teams from across Europe. We’re talking about the likes of Bayern Munich, Napoli, Monaco, and FC Barcelona.
It’s hard not to like Terry as a player considering all he has accomplished. It’s impossible not to like this book as it is a trip down memory lane with one of the world’s best clubs and one of the world’s best players. It’s a great combination, a combination that has filled the Chelsea FC trophy case to the brim.
This is a can’t-miss read for anyone that loves Chelsea or the English Premier League.
