If his career ended tomorrow Terry says he would be proud of his efforts

Terry says that fans who offer abuse would want him in their teams

But former England captain says he does not want to end his career hated

John Terry has hit back at the fans who give him abuse up and down the country by telling his many critics: you would love me if I played for your team.

The Chelsea captain is adored by supporters at Stamford Bridge but his name is met by boos wherever the Blues travel to after a controversial but trophy-laden career in England.

High-profile revelations about Terry's private life and the racism row involving Anton Ferdinand have cast the 34-year-old as a Barclays Premier League villain, but he says fans would view things differently if he played for someone other than Chelsea.

Chelsea captain John Terry has hit back at his critics, saying opposition fans would love him on their team

Former England defneder Terry often finds himself the subject of abuse from opposition fans

The former England captain is proud of his career and says he can look back on his playing time with pride

Having won 16 trophies in 11 years as captain of the Blues, Terry believes that the vitriol from opposition supporters would turn to love if he was a part of their side rather than the champions.

'You hope that when you hang up your boots, obviously, you don't want to be hated,' Terry said. 'You just want to be known as a very good footballer and someone who gave their all for their club.'

One the abuse he receives, the former England captain added: 'I'm sure that if I was in their team, they (the opposing fans) would love me in their team because I'm one of those players who gives everything to the cause.

JOHN TERRY INTERVIEW You can listen to the full interview with John Terry from the Men in Blazers podcast in full by clicking here. Advertisement

'Regardless of what people think or say, you can't take away what I've done in the game. As a person and player, that's for anyone who's met me.

'Anyone who's not met me shouldn't be judging me or the character or person I am but as I say, footballing wise they've had opportunities to see me play and if you're a football person you can make a judgement on whether I'm a good player or not.'

Terry and his team-mates are currently preparing for their Community Shield clash with Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, having finished off a mixed pre-season in the United States with a penalty shootout win over Barcelona.

Terry says nobody can take away what he's achieved in his trophy-laden career at Stamford Bridge

Terry has been on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States and is pictured in New Jersey last week

And Terry, speaking to the Men in Blazers podcast, has enjoyed the experience on the other side of the Atlantic so much that he would be interested in playing games outside England mid-season in the future.

The Premier League's idea of a 38th or 39th game played in a foreign location has long been met by fierce opposition from fans in England but Terry reckons a link-up similar to the NFL's deal to visit Wembley - and Tottenham's new stadium in future - each year could work.

'It would be nice to come back during the season one year, like the NFL comes to England, or at the end of the season, because I think we always come to the US and Canada and the fans have been excellent and patient with us,' Terry said.

Despite the perception of him at grounds across the country, Terry is adored by the following at Chelsea

The Chelsea captain was accused of - and later cleared in court - of making a racial remark towards Anton Ferdinand during a match with QPR but he was fined and banned by the Football Association

Manchester United fans hold up a banner mocking Terry's Champions League final penalty miss at a game

'It's a real joy to be here. It's like home from home. We'd love to come during the season and show our full potential and what we can do.'

Looking ahead to Sunday's curtain-raising fixture at Wembley Terry confirmed that, although it comes mid-way through Chelsea's pre-season with one more game against Fiorentina at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Jose Mourinho's side are treating the occasion as a competitive match.

London rivals Arsenal are the opponents as the Blues look to win the Community Shield for the first time in six years, and veteran Terry says former team-mate Petr Cech's £10m transfer across the capital will make for a more intense occasion on Sunday.

Terry says that a return to the United States for games mid-season could work for Premier League clubs

Petr Cech's move to Arsenal will add spice to their Community Shield clash with Chelsea on Sunday

'It’s all about winning the trophy, it’s as simple as that, it’s against our big London rivals, Petr Cech’s gone there as well, it’s going to have a little bit more spice to it,' he said.