John Terry was really just saying ‘Black Country’ all this time, it turns out.

The Chelsea stalwart called time on his Stamford Bridge career with a move to Midlands giants Aston Villa.

It transpires that it was always his dream to retire in the Black Country, or at least somewhere near it.

He failed to secure a move to West Bromwich Albion after tests showed that Tony Pulis already has about a million centre-halfs.

Speaking exclusively to Football Burp, Terry posited that this was what he had said to Anton Ferdinand several years ago.

He said: “You see, he simply asked me where I wanted to retire, and I said ‘Black Country’.

“I must confess to being a trifle confused when he totally flew off his nut at me.”