Tearful Terry thanks ‘best supporters in the world’

A tearful John Terry thanked Chelsea fans after his final appearance for the club at Stamford Bridge.

Terry, who is leaving this summer, was given a hero’s reception as he led out the team for their final league match of the campaign, against Sunderland, which ended in 5-1 win.

There were emotional scenes when Chelsea’s legendary number 26 was substituted in the 26th minute.

Terry’s team-mates formed a guard of honour and he struggled to hold back tears as he left the pitch.

He embraced his replacement, Gary Cahill, placing the captain’s armband around him in a symbolic as well as emotional gesture, before also embracing boss Antonio Conte as well as the Blues substitutes and backroom staff.

And after the newly-crowned champions had been presented with the Premier League trophy, Terry was full of emotion as he addressed the crowd from the pitch.

He thanked his family, Chelsea managers and players past and present and club owner Roman Abramovich before speaking of his gratitude to Blues supporters.

“Thank you, the best supporters in the world, without a doubt,” he said.

“You’ve given me everything from the age of 14, picked me up when I was down and sung my name when I’ve had bad games and disappointed you.

“Thank you will never be enough. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. I love you all.”