Barnsley v Chelsea
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
5.30pm, Saturday 8 March 2008
Oakwell, Barnsley FC
Winning clubs will receive £300,000 from The FA
The FA Live TV fee is £265,000 per club
Recent FA Cup Results - Results



John Terry admits he marvelled at Barnsley’s amazing FA Cup giant-killing at Anfield, just like the rest of the country, but now he wants the fairytale to end.

Chelsea captain Terry was one of millions of fans glued to their television sets as the Tykes pulled off one of The FA Cup’s greatest wins by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Fifth Round, courtesy of a dramatic 90th minute goal from Brian Howard.

But as Chelsea head for Oakwell for a quarter-final clash against this year’s FA Cup sensations, the holders are in no mood for sentimentality.

Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Terry said: “I watched Barnsley’s game against Liverpool on Match of the Day and couldn’t believe the result. It was amazing!

"Credit to Barnsley because they matched Liverpool on every inch of the field. And I enjoyed it; I think the whole country did, because it’s what The FA Cup is all about.

“It’s teams like Barnsley and other clubs who have gone a long way in the tournament in recent years which keep the Cup alive and keep the dream alive.

“But we’re the holders and this competition means a lot to us. We have to make sure we are mentally right, physically right and make sure we’re hungrier than them when we go there.

“If we’re hungrier than them and want it as much as they will hopefully the quality, because of the players we have here, will come through. We have to go there and win, it’s as simple as that - because they are a very good side, especially at home.”

Terry is full of admiration for The FA Cup and with brother Paul also a professional footballer, at League One promotion chasers Leyton Orient, he knows how much it means to players at all levels.

“Every player at every league club, in the Premiership or in the lower divisions is desperate to go as far as possible in this competition," he said. "That’s what makes The FA Cup so special.

“My brother plays for Orient and I know it’s the case for him. Hopefully one year we can be drawn against each other!

“At Chelsea, we’ve had a huge week this week and played some big teams.  We’ve had the championship, the Champions League and now The FA Cup.

"But The FA Cup is big for us. We’re the holders of the Cup and we want to retain it.”

Terry believes winning the trophy last season, thanks to Didier Drogba’s goal against league rivals Manchester United at Wembley, was crucial in the development of his team.

“Winning the Cup was very important, especially after the disappointment of the Premiership,” he added.

“To go to Wembley and finish the season on a high and then enjoy the summer after an FA Cup win was fantastic. Vital.

“Even though Manchester United won the Premiership, we said after the game that they would probably feel a little bit disappointed having no more games to go back into and do something about it.

“Fair play to the lads, we matched them in that match and managed to nick it. It was a pretty slow game, actually, at Wembley but a great goal and we’ll take any win.

“Now we want to get back there again, but we’ll have to be at our best to make sure we reach the Semi-Finals and we know Barnsley will make it very tough.”