Terry ought to be regarded as one of England’s very best

John Terry’s international retirement was inevitable. The only surprise is that it has taken this long.

The East End boy was always destined to play for England. It was glaringly obvious, even as a seemingly nerveless 15-year-old schoolboy making his debut for Chelsea’s reserve side in front of a couple of hundred people at Kingstonian’s Kingsmeadow home.

Then a midfielder of considerable promise, the Blues knew they had something special on their hands and invested a great deal of time and effort to nurture and protect their prized asset.

Of course, his premature international exit some 16 years later has nothing to do with his performances, ability or commitment; it simply comes down to the off-field issues and the never-ending debate that surrounded his continued inclusion in the England squad.

The fact that the Football Association chose to continue to investigate claims he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, despite Terry being cleared in a criminal court, proved the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Terry said, in a no doubt carefully timed statement less than 24 hours before the start of the FA disciplinary hearing, that his position was now “untenable”.

But it’s been building up to this point ever since he was first stripped of the England captaincy in 2010 after an alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of then team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The hassle, stress and media circus which greeted each squad’s announcement has finally taken its toll. Both on him and the FA.

Playing for England was a source of tremendous pride for the Chelsea captain, but he has had to swallow that pride time and time again to represent his country until this decision to announce his retirement after 78 caps.

The much-publicised off-field issues mean his presence has all too often been a distraction. The international team has for as long as most people can remember had to contest claims of petty squabbling, club cliques and infighting. The Terry factor drew even more unwelcome attention.

Whether Terry has been pushed – politely asked to step down and given the chance to say it was his call – or just had enough, we will probably never really know.

Whatever has happened, it’s a real shame because England have lost one of the most talented centre-backs to have worn the Three Lions.

Terry’s presence was bound to be divisive – like it or not. Few doubt Terry the footballer or Terry the leader. But the baggage and headlines surrounding Terry the man are a different matter.

England boss Roy Hodgson clearly believed in the 31-year-old, and was prepared to back his man for last summer’s World Cup.

Hodgson’s predecessor Fabio Capello was prepared to fall on his sword in defence of his skipper.

Terry was prepared to deal with the criticism and relentless grief for a couple of years. But he has had enough.

Until this tipping point, England undoubtedly benefited on the pitch.

Terry was an extremely gifted international footballer, whose ball-playing abilities were often forgotten or ignored because of his obvious defensive qualities.

His bravery, aerial ability, positional sense and leadership skills were widely recognised and appreciated. But his quality on the ball, range of passing and reading of the game at the very top level were also second to none.

The FA will not mourn Terry’s exit, and the off-pitch antics mean this loyal one-club man will not be remembered as an England great – and that’s a tremendous shame.

Love him or loathe him, he is one hell of a player.

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