JT: I never gave up skipper dream

Posted Monday, March 21, 2011 by thesun.co.uk

JOHN TERRY last night declared he would be 'honoured and proud' to be asked to captain England.

He said: "I never stopped hoping I'd lead my country again."

England boss Fabio Capello publicly revealed he plans to give Terry his old job back for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.

It could become a permanent appointment with Capello believing the Chelsea defender has served his punishment a year after his sacking.

Speaking for the first time about the captaincy, Terry told SunSport: "I've always done whatever the manager needs of me to make sure we win.

"Beating Wales is the most important thing as it's a massive game.

"I moved on very quickly from the decision about losing the captaincy and I've never fallen out with the manager.

"But I've never given up hope that I will captain England again.

"When the manager told me in that meeting at Wembley that I was losing the job I accepted and respected his decision - even though I did not necessarily agree with it - shook his hand and his assistant Franco Baldini's hand and told them I'd always give 100 percent.

"The manager said he really appreciated that and hoped that would be the case.

"Since then he's said to me how I've done that and he's been proud of me for it.

"I've always respected him as a coach, a manager and as a man."

England's most-capped player, Peter Shilton, has backed Capello's decision to recall Terry as captain.

Keeper Shilton, who won 125 caps including 15 as captain, says Terry should never have lost the job in the first place.

He added: "Not to condone what John Terry has done on occasion but he hasn't broken any laws.

"You want the best and John Terry has always been a natural leader.

"I feel sorry for Rio but I'd put him in front of Rio as a captain."