Terry proud to be captain

England skipper 'shocked' by appointment

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 19th August 2008

John Terry England captain

Terry: Permanent captain

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John Terry admitted that it 'meant the world' to him after being named as the permanent England captain.

Fabio Capello has been considering his options since taking charge of England and Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham had also been in the frame.

However, Terry got the nod as Capello announced his decision at a press conference on Tuesday and the Chelsea man is now looking forward to the challenge.

Terry, who was handed the armband by previous manager Steve McClaren, concedes that there were other strong candidates.

"It means the world to me to retain the armband, especially with the players we have in the squad who have achieved so much in the last couple of years," he said on Sky Sports News.

"To get the armband back is a huge achievement for me and makes me very proud once again.

"The manager called everyone together and told the squad as a whole.

"I was a little bit shocked. Rio has been in awesome form for Manchester United so for me to get the armband ahead of everyone in the squad is a massive achievement.

"I had heard little whispers that Rio had got it so I was shocked."

Special

Terry is delighted that so many managers have held him in high regard over the years and feels he is a good role model for youngsters.

He said: "On the pitch and off the pitch I do an awful lot. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I always do everything I can do.

"It makes me feel very special that people like Mr Capello, Mr (Jose) Mourinho and Mr (Luiz Felipe) Scolari see something in me.

"I have experience of the armband, 14 games before, and my target is to qualify for the World Cup.

"Hopefully all the speculation can stop now and we can move forward."

Target

Terry will lead the team out in a friendly against Czech Republic on Wednesday before the World Cup qualifiers begin next month.

Having failed to qualify for Euro 2008 under McClaren, Terry is determined to make amends and take England to South Africa in 2010.

"I think I have learned from the disappointment of not qualifying that we have to concentrate on the early stages," he urged.

"Our target has to be solely on qualifying for the World Cup. We have the squad to do it and we now have to show that on the pitch."