Wind up: Terry antagonises West Ham fans by
applauding abuse directed at him
John Terry last night condemned West
Ham's supporters for the disgraceful
taunts aimed at him and team-mate Frank Lampard during
Chelsea's 1-0
victory at Upton Park.
West Ham fans sang 'you let your children down' to former Hammer
Lampard throughout the game, a reference to his infamous call to a
London radio station last Friday in which he sought to defend
himself on air against accusations of being a bad father.
Terry revealed that his mother, along with several members of
his family, did not attend the game after West Ham websites
encouraged supporters to sing 'John Terry's mum is a
thief' following her recent brush with the law.
The Chelsea captain, who was disgusted by the abuse, said: 'When
we scored I went running to Frank and gave them a bit back, but
there's nothing wrong with that. The referee had a quiet word and
told me not to wind them up but if I can take it, they have to get
a little bit back as well. They have to respect it, but when we
gave them some back they all got the a***.'
West Ham fans have developed a reputation for being among the
most spiteful in the country and abuse former players when they
return to Upton Park.
Paul Ince was still the target of hate-filled chants when he
went back last August as Blackburn manager, 19 years after
incurring the supporters' wrath by being pictured in a Manchester
United shirt before he had joined them.
Lampard has had to endure stick for years, too, but other stars,
such as David Beckham, have also been singled out for vile abuse in
the past.
Out of order: Lampard receives abuse from Hammers
fans at Upton Park
The only consolation for the Chelsea midfielder and his
team-mates is that it could help prepare them to face the hostility
of 90,000 Barcelona fans at the Nou Camp tomorrow evening in the
first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
But Terry, who, along with Lampard was given a police escort to
the team bus after the game, is still fuming about West Ham. He
said: 'I will take it and I will give it back. Frank and I were so
fired up before this game and we told the lads we couldn't let it
slip.
'Frank and I are big enough to take it, but my family are all
West Ham fans and some of them did not go to the game because there
were things on a website about the songs they were going to
sing.
'When we get stick like that we are more determined to shut them
up. We did that.
'I think West Ham's fans cross the line but I'm not going to
give them the chance to have a whinge at me. There are certain
things in life you enjoy. We came to get three points and their
fans walked away with nothing. You can't buy that.'
