In One of the rare occasions we see our club captain John Terry wearing another club’s shirt, he took part in Stiliyan Petrov’s # 19 Legends Charity Match earlier today (Sunday) at Parkhead. The defender was wearing an away Celtic strip which is yellow. The game, which was played in front of a sell-out crowd, saw a Petrov XI, featuring Terry, take on a Celtic XI, with all proceeds raised going to charity, including Petrov’s leukaemia foundation.
The former Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, with Chelsea the first team to play Villa following the announcement. He is currently in remission but has since retired from football.
On the pitch, an entertaining game ended 5-3 to the Petrov XI, with Terry hitting the post with an audacious effort just before half-time. Dimitar Berbatov, a former international team-mate of Petrov’s, scored a hat-trick, while there were also appearances from the likes of Robert Pires, Jamie Redknapp, Gareth Barry, Shay Given and former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.
As many of you remember Aston Villa fans were chanting ‘LET HIM DIE’ when John Terry suffered a season ending injury at Villa park last year in a game which also saw another legend, Frank Lampard surpass club legend Bobby Tambling to be our top goalscorer of all time. Terry was being booed for most of the game and it was an insult to his professionalism and his illustrious career to be received even by away fans in that manner. Petrov selected Terry in his handpicked starting 11 which shows his respect and good relationship he enjoys with Terry.
RESPECT to Stiyilian Petov for the charity foundation and all the best wishes for those suffering from leukaemia!
Unfortunately John was booed by a minority in the ground but was appreciated by many more and almost scored the goal of the match. I would say that most Celtic fans would be grateful to JT for giving of his time for such a very special cause.
Antipodean Red
i was at the game, i dislike terry and chelsea with a passion, but i respect and admire terry for playing in the game and the majority didnt boo him, it was indeed a small minority
I also attended the game and I thought it was a fantastic gesture for JT to come up and play, he’s at the top of his game and captain of the probable premier league champions so for him to come up and play on his weekend off essentially is fantastic, I’m willing to bet the group of people who were booing some of the players only went for that reason.. Embarrassment to the club.
A lot of it was banter , Tongue-in-cheek ! JT was loving it fair play to him , always welcome at park head , thanks John .
Banter! nothing more, nothing less…anyone i saw booing, did so with a smile on their face!
john terry loved it !!!