John Terry - Leader of Men

Never say Never

You will have to bear with me here as the headline could be misleading.

However, players and pundits never fail to describe John Terry in this way.

Despite all his issues the fall back position is that he is a great leader.


It's a description that Terry likes to play up to with typical English bulldog spirit seemingly counting for more than those other English traditions of manners, discretion and a stiff upper lip.

In the dressing room he is known for his rousing team talks that pump the troops up before battle commences. While on the pitch his do or die attitude and preference to put his body on the line earns him great respect.

Our English game loves these types of characters. The ones who fly into last ditch tackles, fearlessly place their body in the way of a well struck shot or occasionally get a cut and carry on with a blood stained bandage around their head. Other footballing cultures would not see it quite the same.

Last ditch? Italian defenders would never let the situation get that far out of control.

So yes, the English love kick and rush and players seemingly "giving their all".

But is this enough to make him a Leader?

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I don't believe that leaders can separate their on field persona and their off field life. Leading is not something that you take, its given to you by those who are happy to follow you. And to follow you, they must feel that you are genuine and authentic in all you do.

Most leaders go about their job in a quiet, assured, understated way and Terry is anything but.

Let me pose some questions...

Do Leaders cry when things haven't gone their way? Especially if they were responsible?

Do Leaders undermine their bosses when things are not going their way?

Do Leaders insist on taking credit for success they had no part in?

Finally, do Leaders, when faced with Disciplinary Action issue a warning shot, questioning the body taking the action and refusing to be part of that body going forward?

I don't think they do. Leaders are resolute in the face of defeat, they back their bosses despite any differences, they take great pleasure in ensuring success is laid at the feet of those responsible and they take their punishment like men.

Everyone knows what Terry said to Ferdinand and everyone feels he should be punished. Everyone except Terry.

John Terry is not a Leader. He is a noisy, arm waving, last ditch defender who believes he is bigger than football. John Terry will not be missed by England as they have four or five other noisy, arm waving, last ditch defenders to take his place.

I asked Amateur Footballers how they would feel about Terry playing with them and although virtually all said he would improve the team very few could "follow" him. As one erudite player said " He could try to rouse me all he wanted but in the back of my mind,  I would know he's a prick!"

Let's hope the FA are sensible about the hearing despite Terry letting himself down once again.