UK Football

By Mike Collett

BARCELONA, Sept 6 (Reuters) - England owe their fans something to cheer about after two years of disappointment, said captain John Terry ahead of their opening World Cup qualifying match against Andorra on Saturday.

England meet Andorra at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona 17 months after being frustrated by the whipping boys of European soccer in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

England were jeered and booed by their own fans before scoring three second-half goals to win 3-0.

Terry told a news conference on the eve of Saturday's match: "As players we understand and take the responsibility of the last two years of disappointments.

"We understand the fans' frustration. After 20 minutes last time the fans did not get their goal and they went against. Stick with us, it's a new campaign, it's a fresh start and we go again.

"We need the fans' support, we realise they pay an awful lot of money for their tickets and travel -- and it's about time we put on a performance and got the results for the fans and the whole nation," he added.

Terry said the World Cup qualifiers represented a "fresh start" for England after the disappointment of missing out on Euro 2008.

"We start here against Andorra, hopefully we'll get a good start and take that confidence into the Croatia game."

England face Croatia on Wednesday in Zagreb, the team that knocked them out of the qualifiers for the Euros last November with a 3-2 win at Wembley Stadium.

England will be without central defender Rio Ferdinand on Saturday (back) and either Joleon Lescott, Matthew Upson or Wes Brown will partner Terry in the middle of the England back line.