Chelsea fans got the news that they had been waiting for after it was announced in Guus Hiddink’s pre-match press conference that John Terry had been offered a new one-year contract by the club.
The news followed a protest from the fans at Anfield on Wednesday night who displayed bannered and posters in honour of the club’s captain, which shows there is still hope that football fans do mean something to their clubs.
Many fans have doubted the club’s connection with its fans, which, over the years, hasn’t been all that great. In the modern era of the Premier League are looking more and more like a business which each calendar year that passes.
Chelsea performed a major U-turn by offering Terry a new deal at Stamford Bridge after it looked as if he had played his last game for the club when he was sent off at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The Blues supporters will be and deservedly so, feeling chuffed with their efforts as they sang the captain’s name loud and proud throughout the 90 minutes against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It is clear evidence that the average fan can still have an affect on the club’s decision and that is great for the future of Chelsea Football Club.
On the whole, the club and the fans will have been disappointed with the way that the situation surrounding Terry’s future was handled, with faults on the shoulder’s of both parties.
The defender, who had been linked with moves to the MLS and to the Chinese Super League went public, with the club none the wiser, after Chelsea’s win in the FA Cup over MK Dons and since dominated the headlines, pleading with the club to offer him a new deal.
The cynics out there have been quick to point out that it may not all be as simple as it first seems. The club went public in the press conference to confirm that Terry had been offered a new year, and were eager to mention that Terry himself would consider the deal.
All of which leaves the ball very much in Terry’s court and if he does go on to leave the club at the end of the season, takes the club out of the wrong. That’s if you want to look at it that way.
Beyond all of the blame game, however, it proves a point that every football fan will want to hear. Beyond Chelsea fans, beyond any Premier League fan in general, it shows that fans still have a voice.
Fan-owned clubs are becoming more apparent in the game, but not all supporters have that luxury. Chelsea fans have shown they still have a voice and they have made themselves heard.
Regardless of whether or not Terry does sign said deal that has been handed to him, Chelsea fans can be proud of their efforts.
