Former Chelsea captain John Terry has explained why he is charging £100 for an autograph during his one-man tour.
The Blues icon is giving supporters an opportunity to hear stories from his playing days during a series of four shows in Basingstoke.
Tickets are priced at £25, while anybody wanting to dine with the ex-England defender will need to part with £500.
Terry has faced criticism for supposedly profiting from a loyal fan base.
However, he has hit back at that coverage by pointing out that all proceeds go to his John Terry 26 Foundation that supports various charities.
He has said on Instagram: “Hi guys, just wanted to touch on the stories the press are writing about me charging fans £100 for signatures and photos and drinks or whatever that may be.
“The big thing – and this is very important – the big thing that they forgot to mention is that all proceeds from these events that I’ve been doing.
“The only reason that I signed up – is to raise money for my foundation, for the John Terry 26 Foundation.
Charity
“I set my foundation up about seven or eight months ago because I wanted to do something personal and on my own where I’m going to be eventually hosting a gala dinner, golf events throughout the year, any opportunities to raise money for my foundation.
“I’ve been working very closely with various different charities over the last 22 years being Chelsea captain and seeing a lot of terminal and ill and sick children along the way, which is something that’s always been something very close to my heart and always will be.
“So rather than doing it for one specific charity, I’ve been focusing on my own foundation in the last six or seven months.
“And this tour that I’m doing, this Q&A that I’m doing, is part of that.”
Frustration
Terry went on to say: “But like I said, the key thing that the press have forgotten to write is that all proceeds from this event [will go to charity].
“And I didn’t want this publicised, and I agreed this with the guys, because I don’t think it’s right for me to publicise that.
“But now they’ve raised the issue I will address it.
“So every penny from these events goes towards my John Terry 26 Foundation.
“I apologise for coming out a day or two days late, but I’ll touch on why I didn’t touch on this yesterday: because, again, I was at another charity day working for BGC in London with obviously the very sad news of the World Trade Centres and something that I’ve done for the last five or six years and I’ll continue to do.
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“But again, giving up my time, giving up my day, for all these charities is something that’s very important to me and I’ll never stop that.
“Really frustrating for me actually and I’m just fed up with the press writing sh*t over and over again.”
