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Press Releases
John Terry on his future at Chelsea and the sending off at Spurs
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John Terry will feature on the first episode of 91Èȱ¬ Sport's new programme, Inside Sport tonight (30 April). The programme will be aired for the first time on 91Èȱ¬ One at 11.05pm.
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In the interview with Gabby Logan, Terry exclusively reveals that he would like an option to manage Chelsea written into his new contract, which he would also like to be a nine year deal:
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Gabby: Do you think one day you will manage? Do you see yourself being able to emulate Jose?
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John: Oh, I don't know about that but I'd certainly like to manage one day. When I was speaking about my contract with Chelsea, I was talking about a nine year contract that we spoke about and maybe with an option to manage at the end of it. It's certainly the way I want to go, I want to get my badges and make that decision at the end of it.
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In addition Terry talks for the first time about why he admitted charges for improper conduct following the fixture against Spurs earlier this season and how he felt at accusations of racism directed at him following the game: Ìý
Gabby: There's been a lot of controversy this season, not only with Chelsea, with referees and players, it seems to be building up. The Spurs game seems to be the most controversial, with Graham Poll. Why did you decide to admit responsibility?
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John: Did I?
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Gabby: Did you not admit improper conduct afterwards?
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John: Oh yes.
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Gabby: Instead of contesting it... Ìý
John: Sometimes it's easier to do that rather than go to the FA and picture in the newspaper. Sometimes it's easier, sometimes you admit things you don't feel inside.
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Gabby: So perhaps being England captain influences their decision as well?
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John: Possibly yes.
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Gabby: So you still feel slightly angry?
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John: Yes, a little bit. It was my first sending off of my career, I'm not that type of player. I used to play Sunday football with Ledley King. It's disheartening. At the time of the incident I got loads of text messages on my phone, after a lot of people thought I was racist to Ledley King and a few other Tottenham players. It certainly isn't the case. I'd never be that way. People who know me as a person know I'm not like that.
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This week, Gabby will be joined by panellists Steve Bunce and Des Kelly as well as 91Èȱ¬'s Sports Editor Mihir Bose.
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A second edition of the programme will be aired this coming Sunday (6 May) on 91Èȱ¬ Two at 12.30pm and will feature a longer version of the Monday night big interview, a newspaper review with the panellists, a feature re-run and any additional talking points from the week's sport. There will also be visits to 91Èȱ¬ Sport's Outside Broadcasts that are up for the afternoon's coverage.
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The Inside Sport website, bbc.co.uk/insidesport, will provide additional content relating to the show.
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The first run of Inside Sport will be on air from 30 April to 10 June 2007 before returning to the screen from Monday 3 September to Monday 3 December 2007 and then again from Monday 23 February to Monday 22 June 2008.
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Full transcript:
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Gabby: If we go back to 2002 and what must have been a nightmare year for you in many ways, and the assault charges and court case that came from that.
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John: At the time I was a young boy, just out having a beer with my mates, and it turned into what it turned into, which should never have gone that far or to the court anyway, the police or the justice system. But it did because of who we were. It went on, and it did make me grow up after that a lot.
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Gabby: What was it like being in a cell for that long; was it 22 hours?
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John: Yes 22 hours. Yes, it was the worst feeling of my life I think, being in there knowing I hadn't done anything wrong. Growing up as a boy my Dad taught me, if someone hits you hit them back simple as that. That's what happened in the court case. My friend was getting beaten up by four bouncers and I stepped in and punched one of the guys. If that's wrong and it happened tomorrow I would do the same thing tomorrow, they were coming at me, I took a swing and caught the guy. Ìý
Gabby: If you look back at that it's a pivotal moment in your life.
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John: Yes I know it was, it was a key moment and after that I had two paths to take and thankfully where I am now, I've chosen the right path. You know when I was growing up as a boy I had one chance and wanted to make the most of that, playing football.
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Gabby: Are you always up at home?
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John: Yes I'm always upbeat and don't go to bed till late and things like this.
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Gabby: Are you a bit hyper?
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John: Yes, I'm a bit hyper and now I have the kids I tend to go home and relax with them, or go out and play and go out and give all my energy to them in the garden or on their little bikes.
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Gabby: Let's talk about the children, you know having twins. Having a baby when you are a young man is one thing, having two babies presented to you at the same time, its pretty special.
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John: Yes, it is very special, it's the best thing in my life, seeing them grow up as well. You know everyone says it but they do grow up so fast and it was only this morning I was looking at the birth when they were first born. I missed it so my girlfriend Toni videoed it on her phone, we watched it again this morning it's just unreal.
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Gabby: She videoed it on her phone?
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John: Yes she videoed it. She was having a caesarean so managed to video it herself.
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Gabby: I hope you've taken it off the phone and put it onto something else...
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John: Yes we've taken it off and stored it somewhere, but it's still on her phone and my phone. It's great to look back, it's so great being a dad I just want to be a good dad and watch my kids grow up.
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Gabby: Do you think having a relationship in the making and growing up together has kept you grounded?
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John: Yes, I think so. It helps that I've been with Toni since I was 18 and she was on more money than me and I was on YTS. She used to take me for dinner.
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Gabby: You know she's not with you for your wealth!
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John: Yes, she's here for my looks, (laughter) that's what I tell myself. Ìý
Gabby: What does she tell you?
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John: Not that (laughter). No, its nice we've been together a long time and she loves being a mum and I love being a dad.
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Gabby: You mentioned there about the reversal of your fortunes. Money these days you can't avoid it with footballers. It's a massive thing. You're in contract talks, you're set to be the highest paid English player. Does it blow your mind the amount of money players are paid these days?
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John: Growing up, you know I said a minute ago, my Mum and Dad struggled. My Dad went to work, I hardly ever saw him as he was trying to afford for myself and my brother to go football on a Sunday or midweek and we had to get taxis if he couldn't get home from work. The money that we earn is fantastic. I never dreamt of earning so much money. It's nice to pay my family back for all their hard work.
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Gabby: Tell us what it was like when Steve McClaren called you and told you he wanted you to be his captain.
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John: It was err, it was a Thursday afternoon and it was being announced publicly on the Friday. When I got the phone call I was having a massage at the club when my phone rang, private number. For some reason I never answer private numbers I just cancel them. And I let it ring and it kept ringing and ringing. I answered, "hello", and it was Steve on the other end. He said "John, I've got some good news, I'm going to make you my England captain" and for once in my life I was gob smacked and speechless. It was like I wanted to say something but I couldn't. He said take it in and we'll speak tomorrow. I just couldn't take it in I wanted to say something but just couldn't.
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Gabby: Thank you!
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John: Yes, a few of them.
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Gabby: So, taking over from such an iconic captain as David Beckham, a tough act in many ways to follow, he changed the role as England captain in many ways.
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John: He did a little bit. With his good looks he bought a different perception to the England captain, but first and foremost he was a fantastic player and still is. He's been really good with me over the last six months to a year since I've taken over. Him and Stevie G were the first on the phone congratulating me which is really nice.
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Gabby: Would you like to see him back on the squad?
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John: Yes of course. As I said, he's a fantastic player. That's Steve McClaren's decision to pick and drop players, but he's still a world class player – he's injured at the moment but I was speaking to him he's getting back fit, he'd love to come back for his country and play.
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Gabby: What's going wrong with the England team?
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John: I'm not sure one thing. I will say as a group of players we've come out publicly and said that we have underachieved. We're not playing to the potential we can, that's the frustrating thing for Steve McClaren. He's seen us and watches us week in week out play for our clubs, but when we get to that level we're just not doing it and we take that responsibility on ourselves that we have to improve.
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Gabby: Before you meet up with England next you have a lot to do with Chelsea. Now whatever happened with this Abramovich thing, Mourinho Abramovich debacle? It seems ludicrous that he wouldn't be in charge of Chelsea next season. What makes him so special?
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John: It's honestly everything about the man. First and foremost he is a great man as well, on a personal one-to-one basis he's always there for you. His door is always open both on a personal level and football level. Tactically he's so spot on. We have team meetings, he doesn't waffle on. He says ten-minute meeting I want you to concentrate. That's it. Ìý
Gabby: There's been a lot of controversy this season, not only with Chelsea, with referees and players, it seems to be building up. The Spurs game seems to be the most controversial, with Graham Poll. Why did you decide to admit responsibility?
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John: Did I?
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Gabby: Did you not admit improper conduct afterwards? Ìý
John: Oh yes.
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Gabby: Instead of contesting it...
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John: Sometimes it's easier to do that rather than go to the FA and picture in the newspaper. Sometimes it's easier, sometimes you admit things you don't feel inside.
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Gabby: So perhaps being England captain influences their decision as well?
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John: Possibly yes.
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Gabby: So you still feel slightly angry?
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John: Yes, a little bit. It was my first sending off of my career, I'm not that type of player. I used to play Sunday football with Ledley King. It's disheartening. At the time of the incident I got loads of text messages on my phone, after a lot of people thought I was racist to Ledley King and a few other Tottenham players. It certainly isn't the case. I'd never be that way. People who know me as a person know I'm not like that. Ìý
Gabby: John, you're going to go back to Stamford Bridge from here, can you get in the car with us and we'll drive you back there?
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John: Yes I'm happy with that yes ... it was left there by the way (laughter).
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Gabby: You know what, he is he is...
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John: Come on Sketch.
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Gabby: Do you think one day you will manage? Do you see yourself being able to emulate Jose?
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John: Oh, I don't know about that but I'd certainly like to manage one day. When I was speaking about my contract with Chelsea, I was talking about a nine year contract that we spoke about and maybe with an option to manage at the end of it. It's certainly the way I want to go, I want to get my badges and make that decision at the end of it.
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Gabby: So we're not going to see you on Match Of The Day then. Don't fancy being a pundit?
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John: No, I think I'll leave that to the boys. I'll stick to management I think after.
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Gabby: Well John, very best of luck, thanks for your time today.
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John: Thank you very much, nice to meet you.
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Gabby: Thanks for letting us loose with you around London. Good luck with everything, Chelsea, England and the kids more importantly.
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John: And good luck with yours.
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Notes to Editors
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Any use of this interview should be credited to Inside Sport and the 91Èȱ¬.
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A re-versioned episode of Inside Sport will also be broadcast each week on 91Èȱ¬ World.
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SB4
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