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“The players at the club have been fantastic, they have kept me going when I was really low,” said Terry.
“Throughout the case they have texted me on the phone, supported me and told me to keep my head up because things were going to be alright.
“They never had any doubt I would be found guilty, they have always talked about me being back and playing and that helped.
“But it wasn’t just my own team mates that gave me support, it was players from other clubs. I didn’t realise I had so many friends in football, even people I didn’t know wished me well.
“Even players that didn’t contact me directly passed on their best wishes through other players.
“People in the game were constantly phoning me and wishing me the best and that meant a lot to me, I was very touched by that.”
Terry also very clearly set out his intentions for both club and country, he said, “It’s a challenge for me to get back in the Chelsea team and I’m just relieved and happy that I have that opportunity.
“Beyond that I would love to pull on an England under-21 shirt again and, hopefully, if I’m playing well enough, promotion to the full squad will eventually come.
“That is my biggest dream and has been all my life. And you can’t imagine how relieved I am that that opportunity is there for me, because my career could have been in ruins if that verdict had gone against me.”
He added: “I’ve had seven months of life taken away from me by this case. It’s a long time but I have every confidence in my ability.
“I haven’t lost the hunger or desire to fulfil my potential, it’s just down to me to give people a reason to play me.
“I’ve got to get back playing football now and, through my football, make people forget all the rubbish that has gone on.
“All I want people to talk about now is my football, I don’t ever want people to have the opportunity to drag all this up and throw it in my face.
“It’s just about football for me now, it’s about showing people like Claudio Ranieri and Sven Goran Eriksson I’m good enough to play at the highest level and fulfil the potential they and other people believe I have.
“At the first opportunity I will be banging on the door to England and I will grab the chance, if it comes, with both hands.”