IF they did a league table of football’s larger-than-life personalities, Terry Venables would be the odds-on favourite for the title.
I have come across plenty of characters in my career — but Terry was head and shoulders above all of them.
And there’s no doubt the world won’t be quite as bright after his passing last week.
As a real Dagenham boy, our paths crossed a lot over the years, going back to when we were still kids looking for our big break in the 1960s.
Chelsea had a magnificent youth team at the time, so it was no surprise that he went there when so many clubs wanted him.
We met plenty of times on the pitch, but just as much off it.
And if it involved Terry, there was one thing you could guarantee — there would be lots of fun and laughter.
Although back in the day I’d never have guessed that it would end up with me joining a choir and singing to the whole country.
Among his many talents, Terry was always a decent singer and loved nothing better than belting out a few numbers at his club.
What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For was a favourite of his, and it always went down well. Bobby Moore loved him.
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So before the 2010 World Cup, The Sun’s television advert centred on Terry performing the old Elvis classic If I Can Dream.
Obviously he was centre stage, but he was backed by a full choir… which included two extra members just for the ad, in me and Ian Wright.
Great fun, but we didn’t get asked back! It always made me chuckle that when England went out to Hong Kong before Euro 96, he delegated Bryan Robson to look after them.
Robbo might have been a coach by then, but he was captain of the drinking team.
That was when everyone kicked off about the dentist’s chair incident.
And if it involved Terry, there was one thing you could guarantee — there would be lots of fun and laughter. Although back in the day I’d never have guessed that it would end up with me joining a choir and singing to the whole country.
Harry Redknapp
But Terry knew how to handle it, like he knew how to handle most things, and England had a great tournament.
People look at his personality — which was probably too big for the FA to cope with — and miss the real point… which is that he had a brilliant football brain.
Players loved playing for him, he knew exactly how to get the best out of them.
Gazza, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Gary Neville… you just won’t find anyone with a bad word to say.
Anyone who looks back to the summer of ’96 and It’s Coming Home does so with a smile… well, Terry Venables is the man who put it on the face of the nation.
