John Terry has defended charged fans £100 for an autographs on his one-man tour, insisting all proceeds from his one-man tour are going to his charity foundation.
The former Chelsea captain is embarking on his 'An Evening With John Terry', kicking off last week with the first date in Basingstoke. But all the headlines focused on how, in addition to paying £30 for a ticket, it costs an additional £100 to receive his autograph and £500 to be one of 10 having a two-course dinner with Terry.
Other packages on offer include an extra £110 to have front-row seating an a photograph with Terry, but no signature. Pay an extra £150 for the 'platinum package' included a meet and greet, but no autograph. The ex-footballer has faced widespread criticism for the prices amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Terry, who heads to Bournemouth in October, London in November and finishes in Birmingham in January, has now explained why the prices are so high but did say all money would go towards his foundation to help sick children.
"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," he said on Instagram on Tuesday evening.
"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 – and the only reason that I signed up – is to raise money for my foundation, for the John Terry 26 Foundation.
"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.
"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.
"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 s*** over and over again."
