LOYALTY is an emotive word.

No-one would want to be considered disloyal. The rat that jumps the sinking ship. A Judas.

You get the idea.

It seems that it is a quality that is disappearing over the hill like a misfiring old car.

Players, managers, coaches, back room staff, committee members.....they come and they go like a passing rain shower on a blustery spring day.

So while he was never my favourite footballer, you have to doff your cap to John Terry, whose slightly toe-curling 26th minute dismount at Stamford Bridge last week was a rare sight indeed.

The Chelsea centre half has been at the club for 22 years and he's finally decided to call time on his career at the west London giants.

He has won a European Cup, numerous Premier League titles and a clutch of other trophies (that I can't face googling) as captain of the club.

He has been a superb, old-school defender with old-school values. Stand up, square up and man up. Not the quickest, not the best passer, but a brilliant reader of the game with a head harder than a boulder and a tackle ferocious enough to make grown men crumple.

For me though, in this uncertain age, it is his unwavering commitment to Chelsea that stands him apart from so many of his peers.

The revolving door of staff is nothing short of bonkers at all levels. Crystal Palace, Watford, Hull City have all parted company with their managers in the last couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans (some, not all) are rabidly demanding the abdication of loyal old Arsene. Been there far too long they say. Emperor's New Clothes, I say.

In our own South Western Peninsula League, Porthleven, Godolphin, Helston and St Austell are all experiencing a changing of the guard at management level.

Players are flinging themselves around like tin cans in a tornado, presumably looking for the best deal, a promise of a starting place or maybe a nice new tracksuit. With initials.

As a footballer and a cricketer I have only ever played for two clubs. There's a strong possibility that is because no-one else would have me. I'm 43, but old school enough to "play for your village".

Players who want to progress - ie move to a higher standard - I applaud. Those who want to be pampered - to be the "big fish" - I have less time for.

Football clubs these days, at almost every level, are striving for success. Striving for a piece of silverware that may entice one or two new players to join in the following season.

I'm all for forward-thinking, dynamic approaches, but let us not lose sight of the fact that most of us play for fun, fitness and a few beers afterwards. Loyalty certainly makes the pint taste a bit better in my book.