Joey Barton

Infobox Football biography
playername = Joey Barton


fullname = Joseph Anthony Barton
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|9|2|df=yes
cityofbirth = Huyton
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=5|in=11 [cite web|title=Joey Barton profile|publisher=Sky Sports|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,19754,11678_256600,00.html|accessdate=2008-07-08]
position = Midfielder
currentclub = Newcastle United
clubnumber = 7
youthyears =
1997–2002
youthclubs = Everton
Manchester City
years = 2002–2007
2007–
clubs = Manchester City
Newcastle United
caps(goals) = 130 (15)
024 0(1)
nationalyears = 2003
2007
nationalteam = England U21
England
nationalcaps(goals) = 002 0(1)
001 0(0)
pcupdate = 02:20, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 02:20, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Joseph Anthony "Joey" Barton (born 2 September 1982) (IPAEng|ˈdʒəʊiː ˈbɑːtʊn) is a English footballer, contracted to Premier League club Newcastle United, for whom he plays for as a central midfielder.

His career and life have been marred by numerous controversial incidents and disciplinary problems,cite web|url=http://www.4thegame.com/club/newcastle-united-fc/player-profile/3601/joeybarton.html |title=4thegame Profile |work=4thegame.com |accessdate=2007-07-13] and he has been convicted twice on charges of violence. On 20 May 2008 he was sentenced to six months imprisonment for common assault and affray during an incident outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool City Centre. [cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7409943.stm| date=2008-05-22 |accessdate=2008-05-22| title=Joey Barton is jailed for assault | publisher=BBC News] Barton served 77 days of this prison term, being released on 28 July 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jul/28/bartonreleased|title=Barton released from jail|publisher=BBC|date=2008-07-01|accessdate=2008-07-01] On 1 July 2008 he was also given a four months suspended sentence after admitting actual bodily harm on former teammate Ousmane Dabo during a training ground dispute.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7482620.stm Barton is sentenced for assault] This incident effectively ended his Manchester City career.cite news | url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2070318,00.html |date=2007-05-02 | accessdate=2007-09-09 | title=City wash their hands of Barton after fight at training ground | work=The Guardian] Three days after his release, he was charged with violent conduct by The FA for the assault on Ousmane Dabocite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2008/05/Statement_Barton_charged_July.htm |accessdate=2008-07-31 |title=TheFA.com- Barton Charged|publisher=TheFA]

Barton was born in Huyton, Merseyside and raised in a poor area and, as a child, he saw football as a way of escape.cite news|url=http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=joey-barton-s-damning-verdict-on-football-s-pampered-elite-&method=full&objectid=18276729&siteid=93463-name_page.html|first=Paul|last=McCarthy|date=2006-12-17 |accessdate=2007-07-11 |title=Joey Barton's damning verdict on football's pampered elite |publisher="People.co.uk"] He began his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after working his way through their youth system. His appearances in the senior side gradually increased over the following five years and he made more than 150 for the club. Impressive form at club level earned him his first cap for the England national team in February 2007,cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6330177.stm |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=England 0-1 Spain| last=Sinnott |first=John| publisher=BBC Sport] despite his criticism of some of the team's players. He joined his current club Newcastle United for a fee of £5.8 million in July 2007. The contract negotiations became protracted after Manchester City refused to pay Barton a fee of £300,000 to which he was reported to be entitled if he left the club without submitting a request for transfer. cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6725067.stm |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Barton completes move to Magpies| last=Hunter |first= Andy| publisher=BBC Sport] Newcastle United consequently raised their initial offer of £5.5 million to £5.8, in effect compensating Manchester City for the £300,000 discrepancy.

Biography

Early life

Joey Barton grew up in Huyton, a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in Merseyside. Quote_box
width=25%
align=left
quote="Where I'm from, you either work hard at school to get out or you escape through that. The other options are loitering, crime, drugs and prison."
source=Joey Barton|Barton is the oldest of four brothers.cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/11/23/nwalk23.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/11/23/ixhome.html|first=Nigel|last=Bunyan|date=2005-11-24 |accessdate=2007-09-07 |title=Footballer tells of calls to murder suspect brother |publisher=Telegraph] His parents separated when he was 14 years old and consequently he lived with his father at his grandmother's house on a different estate.cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=329476|date=2007-06-16 |accessdate=2007-07-12 |title=Goal.com Profile: Joey Barton |publisher="Goal.com"] He has said that his grandmother's influence helped him to avoid the drug culture in Huyton, and attributes his work ethic to his father. His father, also named Joseph, worked as a roofercite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/08/03/nwalk03.xml|first=Paul|last=Stokes|date=2005-08-03 |accessdate=2007-07-12 |title=Give yourself up Michael, pleads footballer
publisher=Telegraph] and played football semi-professionally for Northwich Victoria.cite news | title=Scrapbook: Joey Barton | work=Manchester City FC vs Liverpool match programme, p41 | date=2007-04-14 ] Barton excelled at physical education at school which he represented in various sports. He left school with 10 GCSEs.

Barton pursued his dreams of becoming a professional footballer by joining Everton's youth system, but was released by the club when he was 14. He underwent trials at Nottingham Forest, but was rejected when it was decided he was too small to become a footballer. [cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2276165,00.html|first=James|last=Pearson|date=2003-09-14 |accessdate=2007-08-01 |title=Barton reveals Forest rejection |publisher=Sky Sports] Barton said his rejection by clubs only made him more determined to succeed as a footballer and prove his detractors wrong.cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2289148,00.html|first=Paul|last=Higham|date=2004-01-24 |accessdate=2007-08-01 |title=Barton: Toffees snub helped me |publisher=Sky Sports] When Barry Poynton, an ex-Everton scout, heard that his former club had released Barton, he invited him to trial at Manchester City. Barton made a good impression and was offered a Youth Training Scheme contract at the club. He spent 12 hours a day training at the club's ground on a wage of £72.50 per week. He made his first appearance for the club's under-17s team in 1999 and played regularly at Academy level for three years. His first reserve team appearance came at the end of the 2000–01 season, in his final year as a trainee. Uncertain about Barton's future prospects, the club planned to release him,cite news | title=Profile: Joey Barton | work=Manchester City FC vs Wigan Athletic match programme, p19 | date=2006-01-28 ] but reconsidered and gave him his first professional contract in the close season. Over the next two years, he successfully made the transition from the under-19s to regular reserve football. He was promoted to the first-team squad in the 2002–03 season.

enior career

Manchester City

Barton would have made his debut for the City first-team in November 2002 against Middlesbrough, had he not lost his shirt after leaving it on the substitutes bench at half-time. [cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2250687,00.html |date=2002-11-25 |accessdate=2007-07-18 |title=Things get shirty for City starlet | publisher=Sky Sports] He eventually made his first-team debut for the club against Bolton Wanderers on 5 April 2003. [Chris Bailey, [http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchestercity/s/55/55678_barton_lifts_citys_gloom.html "Barton lifts City's gloom"] , "Manchester Evening News", 7 April 2003, accessed 18 October 2005] His first senior goal came two weeks later in a 0–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Good Friday. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2936441.stm |date=2003-04-18 |accessdate=2007-07-12 |title=City cruise past Spurs | publisher=BBC Sport] He ended the 2002–03 season with a run of seven consecutive starts.

After impressing in his first season at City, Barton was offered a new one-year contract at the club by manager Kevin Keegan, which he signed in April 2003. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/2950239.stm |date=2003-09-22 |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Barton signs new City deal
publisher=BBC Sport] He featured in the first-team more regularly during the 2003–04 season and, following a second Premiership goal, was rewarded with a call-up to the England U21 squad for their 2004 European Championship qualifiers against Macedonia and Portugal. [cite news|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/09/64237.htm |date=2003-09-03 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Platt sings Barton's praise | publisher="TheFA.com"]

An FA Cup match against Tottenham saw Barton receive the first red card of his career in unusual circumstances: at half-time, with his club 3–0 down, he argued with the referee and was sent off although the match was not in progress. In the second half, despite playing with 10 men, Barton's team-mates achieved an unlikely 4–3 victory. [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/02/05/1038343.htm |accessdate=2007-07-26 |title=Man City write new chapter in FA Cup lore | publisher=ABC news] Barton left the City of Manchester Stadium in anger on 17 April, after not being named in the team to play Southampton. [cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=452045&in_page_id=1779 |date=2007-05-01 |accessdate=2007-09-14 |title=Barton's roll of shame | publisher=Daily Mail] However he featured regularly in the 2003–04 season, which he completed with 39 appearances and one goal. His displays impressed City's supporters, and at the end of the 2003–04 season he was awarded with the club's Young Player of the Year award.Barton sparked a ten-man brawl in a friendly match against Doncaster Rovers on 25 July 2004 after "hacking" at an opposition player.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/3923995.stm |date=2004-07-25 |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Keegan fury at Barton| publisher=BBC Sport] Although he signed a new contract on 22 September 2004, which would keep him at City until 2007, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/3679346.stm |date=2004-04-15 |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Barton earns new deal
publisher=BBC Sport] the club considered sacking Barton in December 2004 after an incident at their Christmas party. He stubbed out a lit cigar in youth player Jamie Tandy's eye, [cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/140/140969_barton_faces_fine_after_party_fracas.html |date=2007-12-22 | accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Barton faces fine after party fracas | first=Peter |last=Spencer | publisher="Manchester Evening News"] after he had caught Tandy attempting to set fire to his shirt.cite news|url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article26003.ece|first=Sam|last=Wallace|date=2004-12-23 |accessdate=2007-07-18 |title=Barton fined £60,000 for fracas
publisher="Independent Online"'] Barton subsequently apologised for his actions and was fined six weeks' wages (£60,000). [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4124241.stm |date=2004-12-24 |accessdate=2007-07-08 |title=Barton apologises to boss Keegan|publisher=BBC Sport]

The following summer, Barton was sent home from a pre-season tournament in Thailand after assaulting a 15-year-old Everton supporter [Rob Hughes, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/07/sports/SOCCER.php "Enigmas of 2 tarnished stars"] , "International Herald Tribune", 7 February 2006, accessed 17 September 2006] who had provoked Barton by verbally abusing him and kicking his shin.cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article550765.ece |date=2005-08-02 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Profile:Joey Barton|first=Jenny|last=Booth|publisher="Times Online"] Barton had to be restrained from attacking the boy further by teammate Richard Dunne. Barton underwent anger management therapy at the order of City manager Stuart Pearce and paid £120,000 in club fines. [cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2345065,00.html|first=Paul|last=Higham|date=2005-08-06 |accessdate=2007-08-01 |title=Barton asks for help |publisher=Sky Sports] In the autumn of 2005, Barton began a seven-day programme of behavioural management at the Sporting Chance clinic,cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/barton-rebel-with-an-amazing-capacity-for-trouble-767095.html|date=2007-12-28 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Barton: Rebel with an amazing capacity for trouble|first=Sam|last=Wallace|publisher="The Independent"] a charity set up to help troubled sportsmen and women.

Barton handed in a written transfer request in January 2006, which the club rejected. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4663950.stm |date=2006-01-30 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Man City reject request by Barton | publisher=BBC Sport] The following day, they also rejected a verbal offer for Barton from Middlesbrough, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4667892.stm |date=2006-01-31 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Man City reject Boro's Barton bid | publisher=BBC Sport] with Stuart Pearce asserting that a deal could still be made to keep him at the club. During the following week, Barton admitted that he was "a little bit impetuous" in making such a request and agreed to begin negotiations on a new contract at City. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4684956.stm |date=2006-02-06 | accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Barton to end row by signing deal | publisher=BBC Sport] He was rewarded with a new four-year deal, which he signed on 25 July, ending speculation about his future. [ [http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid={7EB24EFC-E397-48B3-977A-BC40E4795300}&rmasiteinstanceguid={5B147D34-2BCF-448D-976C-AE1944ED09F5}&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=349398 "Barton signs new deal"] , "Manchester City official website", 25 July 2006, accessed 25 July 2006] [cite news|url=http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=forwardOnly&nextPage=enPlayerProfile&playerId=256600 | accessdate=2007-07-25 |title=Player Profile | publisher=Premier League]

His behaviour appeared to improve after his participation at the Sporting Chance clinic. [cite news|url=http://www.squarefootball.net/article/article.asp?aid=2702 | accessdate=2008-03-04 |title=Manchester City: Joey Barton for England? | publisher=squarefootball] However, on 30 September 2006, television cameras captured Barton exposing his backside to Everton fans, following City's injury-time equaliser in a game at Goodison Park. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5395778.stm "Police to probe Barton incident"] , BBC Sport, 30 September 2006, accessed 30 September 2006] Barton had received abuse from Everton supporters throughout the match and the gesture has since been described as "light-hearted" and "inoffensive" by people involved in football. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/5409860.stm |date=2006-10-06 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Holloway backs 'cheeky' Barton |publisher=BBC Sport] Merseyside Police looked into the incident, but announced in October that no further action would be taken, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5395778.stm |date=2006-10-04 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Police take no action over Barton|publisher=BBC Sport] although Barton was fined £2,000 for bringing the game into disrepute and warned about his future conduct by the The Football Association. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5409082.stm |date=2006-10-10 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Barton gets fine but escapes ban |publisher=BBC Sport]

Barton's agent Willie McKay revealed in January 2007 that if any team offered at least £5.5 million for Barton, it would trigger a release clause in his contract that would mean City would have to allow Barton to talk to the interested club.cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11671_2402470,00.html |date=2007-01-16 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=City dismiss Barton enquiry | publisher=Sky Sports] This reportedly prompted Everton manager David Moyes to make an inquiry to City about Barton's availability. However, the next day Barton said "People are trying to unsettle me but I'm happy to stay here". [ Andy Hunter, [http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article2160027.ece "Barton insists he is staying put but Everton lie in wait"] "Independent", 17 January 2007, accessed 13 February 2007]

Quote_box
width=25%
align=right
quote="England did nothing in that World Cup, so why were they bringing books out? 'We got beat in the quarter-finals. I played like shit. Here's my book.' Who wants to read that?"
source=Joey Barton [ Daniel Taylor, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2006818,00.html "Gerrard plays peacemaker over Barton"] , "The Guardian", 6 February 2007, accessed 13 February 2007] |

Following impressive form at club level, Barton received his first call-up to the full England squad on 2 February 2007 for a friendly match against Spain,cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6319849.stm | date=2007-02-02 | accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Barton wins first England call-up | publisher=BBC Sport] despite his recent criticism of certain members of the England squad for releasing autobiographies after an unimpressive 2006 World Cup. He had suggested such players had "cashed in" on the national team's lack of success.cite news|url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/internationals/article2241394.ece | date=2007-02-06 | accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Gerrard jumps to Barton's defence | publisher=The Independent]

Barton later received support over his comments and Steven Gerrard, one of the players whom Barton had criticised, praised him for his honesty.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6335407.stm |date=2007-02-07 | accessdate=2007-07-08 |title=Barton books in| last=McNulty |first=Phil| publisher=BBC Sport] [cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/rod_liddle/article1323623.ece |date=2007-02-04 | accessdate=2007-07-13 |title=Barton has the cheek to usher in a new era| last=Liddle |first=Rod| publisher="Times Online"] However, Frank Lampard, who had also released an autobiography following the tournament, publicly stated his disapproval. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6281871.stm | date=2007-01-20 | accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Lampard hits back at Barton jibes | publisher=BBC Sport] Barton made his international debut on 7 February 2007, replacing Lampard in the 78th minute of the 0–1 defeat to Spain at Old Trafford.Barton displayed his outspokenness once again on 22 April 2007 when he publicly criticised City's performances during the 2006–07 season, and described some of the players the club had signed as "substandard". [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6580953.stm |date=2007-04-22 | accessdate=2007-07-22 |title=Barton criticises Man City season|publisher=BBC Sport] Following his comments, City's manager Stuart Pearce banned him from speaking to the media.cite news|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2066512,00.html|first=Daniel|last=Taylor|date=2007-04-27 |accessdate=2007-07-11 |title=Pearce bans Barton from talking to media after public outburst|publisher=The Guardian]

Barton was fined £100,000 and suspended by City until the end of the 2006–07 season on 1 May 2007, following an incident during training when he assaulted his team mate Ousmane Dabo. [cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/columnists/columnists.html?in_page_id=1951&in_article_id=452968&in_author_id=353|date=2007-05-05|accessdate=2007-07-20|title=Biggest victim of the Dabo training bust-up will be Barton himself| last=Robson|first=Sir Bobby|publisher=Daily Mail] Dabo said that he had been hit several times, and had to go to hospital after suffering injuries to his head, including a suspected detached retina.Alec Hayes, [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2007/05/03/sfnmac03.xml "Barton branded a 'coward' by Dabo"] , "The Telegraph", 3 May 2007 ] Dabo requested that the police press charges against Barton, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6627567.stm|date=2007-05-05 |accessdate=2007-05-05 |title=Police get Barton 'attack' report |publisher=BBC News] and as a result, Barton was arrested and questioned by Greater Manchester Police. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6660503.stm |date=2007-05-16 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Barton is arrested over assault|publisher=BBC News] This altercation effectively ended Barton's time at City, although he later cited a "relationship breakdown" with Stuart Pearce as the main reason he left the club. [cite news|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2128767,00.html|first=Louise|last=Taylor|date=2007-07-18 |accessdate=2007-07-18 |title=Barton kicks off at St James' with swipe at Pearce |publisher="Guardian Unlimited"] Barton was bailed until August and was later charged with assault, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6292818.stm |date=2007-07-11 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |title=Police extend Joey Barton's bail|publisher=BBC News] [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6927605.stm |date=2007-08-02 |accessdate=2007-08-02 |title=Player Barton charged over attack|publisher=BBC News] to which he initially pleaded not guilty. [cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1279211,00.html|date=2007-08-09 |accessdate=2007-09-09 |title=Barton In Court Over Player 'Bust-Up' |publisher=Sky News] He later changed this to a guilty plea and was sentenced to a four month suspended prison sentence plus community service.

Newcastle United

Following offers from Newcastle United and West Ham United, [cite web|url=http://sport.scotsman.com/football_english.cfm?id=884852007 |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Newcastle fend off West Ham to seal £5.5m Barton signing| last=Spellman |first= Daniel| publisher="Scotsman"] Barton joined Newcastle on 14 June 2007 for a fee of £5.8 million. He said that his desire to win trophies helped him to make the decision, [cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2007260285,00.html|first=Steve|last=Brenner|date=2007-06-07 |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Barton: It's time to win things|publisher="The Sun Online"] along with his admiration for manager Sam Allardyce. [cite news|url=http://www.inthenews.co.uk/sports/football/rugby-league/premiership-teams-2007-2008/newcastle/barton-joins-newcastle-$1099587.htm|date=2007-06-14 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |title=Barton joins Newcastle |publisher="inthenews.co.uk"] Barton made his Newcastle debut in a friendly against Hartlepool United on 17 July 2007. [cite news|url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/chroniclesport/tm_headline=hartlepool-united-1-newcastle-united-3&method=full&objectid=19470492&siteid=50081-name_page.html|date=2007-07-17|accessdate=2007-07-20|title=Hartlepool United 1, Newcastle United 3| last=Ryder|first=Lee|publisher=icNewcastle] Four days later, he was ruled out for six to seven weeks after fracturing the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot during a friendly match with Carlisle United. [cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_2621462,00.html|date=2007-07-22|accessdate=2007-07-22|title=Magpies confirm Barton blow| last=Pearson|first=James|publisher=Sky Sports] He was ruled out for a further month in October 2007. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7022059.stm|date=2007-10-01|accessdate=2007-10-01|title=Newcastle hit by Barton setback|publisher=BBC Sport] He eventually made his Premier League debut for Newcastle on 22 October 2007, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–1 win over Tottenham. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7043010.stm|date=2007-10-22|accessdate=2007-10-23|title=Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham|publisher=BBC Sport] During his first Tyne-Wear derby for Newcastle against Sunderland, Barton appeared to raise his foot dangerously in a challenge with Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7076643.stm|date=2007-11-10|accessdate=2007-11-13|title=Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport] leading to the News of the World running with the headline "Ban Him". [cite news|url=http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/1111_ban_joey.shtml|date=2007-11-10|accessdate=2007-12-04|title=Ban Him: Bad boy Barton facing FA rap|publisher=News of the World] However the FA were unable to charge Barton for the incident because match official Martin Atkinson had seen the act take place in the match, and had taken no action. FIFA regulations dictate that a retrospective charge for violent conduct can be made only if the match official did not notice the incident. Barton later apologised for the tackle. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7089442.stm|date=2007-11-13|accessdate=2007-11-13|title=Barton apologises for high tackle|publisher=BBC Sport] Early in December, he launched an attack on Newcastle fans, due to their abuse of manager Sam Allardyce and other players. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7122616.stm|date=2007-12-01|accessdate=2007-12-01|title=Newcastle fans vicious - Barton|publisher=BBC Sport] He later played this down, saying his comments had been misrepresented. [cite news|url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1183723,00.html|date=2007-12-05|accessdate=2007-12-05|title=Joey BarToon: Fans Are Crucial|publisher=nufc.co.uk] On 20 May 2008, he was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty for his part in the December 2007 assault. Barton's cousin, Nadine Wilson and his brother Andrew Barton also pleaded guilty to their part in the assaults and received suspended sentences.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7409943.stm|date=2008-05-20|accessdate=2008-05-20|title=Joey Barton is jailed for assault |publisher=bbc.co.uk/sport]

Barton's subsequent conviction for the earlier assault on Ousmane Dabo at Manchester City was handed out while serving this sentence. He returned to playing action on 30 August 2008, six days before his FA hearing, as a second half substitute during Newcastle's 3–0 defeat to Arsenal. He came on to a chorus of boos from the Arsenal supporters. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7578425.stm |title=Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle |date=2008-08-30 |accessdate=2008-08-30 |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Mandeep |last=Sanghera] Shortly into this return game, Barton was involved in an incident with Samir Nasri, crashing into Nasri's knee with his forearm as he lunged for the ball, studs up. Minutes later, Nasri appeared to deliberately trip Barton while tracking back, for which he was booked. At the end of the game, then-Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan was involved in an altercation with Nasri and Arsenal captain William Gallas, in regards to the incident. [cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=568042&sec=england&&cc=3888 |title=Keegan keen to defend bad boy Barton |date=2008-08-30 |accessdate=2008-08-30 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet]

tyle of play

Early in his career, Barton mainly played a defensive role,cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/66/66583_barton_gets_england_call.html|accessdate=2007-08-05 |title=Barton gets England call | date=2007-07-23| publisher=Sky Sports] with a game based on tackling and tracking back to shield the defence.cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=the+match&article=412210&lid=fixture_298346&Title=Head+to+head:+Gilberto+v+Joey+Barton |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Head to head: Gilberto v Joey Barton | first=Mo |last=Khan| publisher=Arsenal.com] As his career has progressed, he has begun to incorporate a more attacking approach to his play, which has resulted in a greater number of goals and assists, and he was in fact Manchester City's leading scorer in 2006/07, despite not playing as a striker.

Barton has been described as having a good work ethic and the ability to carry the ball and retain possession for the team. [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/05/02/sfnbar202.xml |accessdate=2007-07-11 |title=Talent overshadowed by temper | first=Ian |last =Whittell | date=2007-05-23 | publisher=Telegraph] He has been praised for having a good passing range. This aspect of his game has shown improvement since the 2005–06 season, when he began to favour simpler passes over more ambitious ones, [cite news|url=http://www.squarefootball.net/article/article.asp?aid=2702|first=Colin|last=Illingworth|date=2006-01-19 |accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Manchester City: Joey Barton for England?|publisher=SquareFootball.net] and his relatively high pass completion rate can be attributed to this change. Barton's passes have often proved to be crucial; in the past he has led the way in his team's assists.cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2343043,00.html |accessdate=2007-07-13 |title=City would miss Barton - Opta | date=2005-07-26 | first=Paul |last =Townley | publisher=Sky Sports]

Barton has been described as a tough tackler, [cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/s/211/211133_stu_braced_for_barton_bids.html |accessdate=2007-07-13 |title=Stu braced for Barton bids | date=2006-04-20 | first=Mike |last =Whalley | publisher="Manchester Evening News"] a style reflected in the high number of fouls he has committed during his career.cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=27050&cc=5739 |title=ESPNsoccernet Profile |work=ESPNsoccernet |accessdate=2007-07-13] He received 39 bookings and three red cards during his time at Manchester City. [http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=34138 Joey Barton Statistics] , www.soccerbase.com - The Internet Soccer Database. Retrieved on 10 July 2007.] This physical approach was occasionally criticised by Kevin Keegan as excessive. [cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/53/53467_keegan_backs_barton_to_shine.html|title=Keegan backs Barton to shine |work=Manchester Evening News |accessdate=2007-08-18] Opta statistics rated Barton as the tenth best tackler in the Premier League for the 2004–05 season.

Career statistics

Club

:Correct as of 28 September 2008. [http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=6323&pn=Joseph_Anthony_Barton Joey Barton stats.] footballdatabase.com, Retrieved 10 July 2007.]

International

:Correct as of 23 February 2007. [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/?pf=p&i=8303&searchname=Barton&
] TheFA.com, Retrieved on 2007-07-10]

Personal life

Barton has a fiery temper and occasionally gets into on-field confrontations. Off the playing field, he has been known to be outspoken, a trait which he attributes to the rough area where he grew up. Interviewers have described him as open, self-critical and ambitious. [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/02/03/sfnwin03.xml |accessdate=2007-07-10 | title=Human hand grenade is guaranteed frosty reception | first=Henry | last=Winter | date=2007-02-03| publisher="The Telegraph"]

Barton is a patron of the Tamsin Gulvin Fund, a charity set up to support people who have addiction problems and no financial support. Tony Adams, who had been impressed with Barton's attitude during his involvement in the Sporting Chance clinic, appointed him to this role.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4594584.stm |date=2006-01-09 |accessdate=2007-07-09 |title=Adams sees Barton in England role | last=Austin |first=Simon| publisher=BBC Sport] He is a part of the 'Get Hooked on Fishing' campaign, designed to keep children out of trouble by encouraging them to take up fishing.cite news|url=http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.1637161.0.newcastle_star_gets_hooked_on_fishing.php |date=2007-08-22 |accessdate=2007-08-23 |title=Newcastle star gets hooked on fishing | last=King |first=Dan| publisher=The Northern Echo] He has also taken part in a celebrity cricket match for charity to help fund a new children's rehabilitation unit at a hospital in Manchester. [cite news|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/ashes2006/display.var.1457280.0.football_stars_head_for_the_other_old_trafford.php|first=Sudlow|last=Chris|date=2007-06-08 |accessdate=2007-07-11 |title=Football stars head for the other Old Trafford|publisher="theboltonnews.co.uk"]

He is good friend of the boxer Ricky Hatton and has supported him in some of his fights, [cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/8699/Ricky+backs+Barton+to+be+a+hit|accessdate=2007-07-10 |title=Ricky backs Barton to be a hit | date=2007-06-03 | first=Greg | last=Makin | publisher="Daily Express"] [cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2007290023,00.html|date=2007-06-24|accessdate=2007-07-22|title=Stars out in force for Ricky| last=Haigh|first=Andrew|publisher="The Sun Online"] and has trained with him. [cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/article3013673.ece|date=2007-12-07|accessdate=2008-01-17|title=I’m in a privileged position, but guests do make me envious| last=Logan|first=Gabby|publisher="The Times"] He is also a friend of Oasis band member Noel Gallagher, [cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1009/1009076_its_pure_city_says_noel.html|date=2007-06-13|accessdate=2007-07-22|title='It's pure City' says Noel| last=Whalley|first=Mike|publisher="Manchester Evening News"] and has dated glamour model Amanda Harrington. [cite news|url=http://www.soccerfiesta.net/amanda-harrington-the-new-wag-members/|date=2007-02-24 |accessdate=2007-07-12 |title=Amanda Harrington The New WAG Members |publisher="soccerfiesta.net"] Barton has found himself at the centre of controversy outside football. In May 2005 he broke a 35-year-old pedestrian's leg while driving his car through Liverpool city centre at 2 am. [cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article2581253.ece|date=2007-10-03 |accessdate=2008-03-04 |title=Joey Barton feels Manchester City fans owe him a debt |publisher="Times Online"] He was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool while going to his hotel after a match on 13 March 2007. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6445203.stm "City star arrested over assault"] , "BBC News", accessed 13 March 2007] He was cleared of this charge in May 2008. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7428263.stm "Barton cleared over taxi damage"] , "BBC News", accessed 30 May 2008] On 27 December 2007, Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault in the Church Street area of Liverpool city centre following an incident which took place at 5:30 am. [cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL2728171420071228|date=2007-12-28 |accessdate=2008-04-05 |title=Newcastle's Barton charged with assault |publisher=Reuters UK"] He was remanded in custody on 28 December since the alleged offence was committed whilst he was on bail for two prior offences; the presiding magistrate noted "I also have to consider the safety of the public - you lashed out indiscriminately". [cite news
title = Barton Is Locked Up Over Assault
url = http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1298522,00.html
publisher = Sky News
date = 2007-12-28
accessdate = 2008-04-05] He was later charged with common assault and affray, and was sentenced to six months in prison on 20 May 2008. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7409943.stm|date=2008-05-20 |accessdate=2008-05-20|title=Joey Barton jailed for assault |publisher=BBC"] Barton admitted to having an addiction to alcohol and claimed he wanted to achieve "total abstinence" in order to improve his behaviour. Quote_box
width=40%
align=right
quote=Michael [Barton, Joey's half brother] , if you have any information about what happened you have to tell the police. You must do this for the Walker family so they can mourn Anthony and because you know it is the right thing to do.
source=Joey Barton|His half brother, Michael Barton, was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for his involvement in the racially motivated murder of Anthony Walker in 2005.cite news
title = Cousins jailed for racist axe murder
url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,11374,1655341,00.html?gusrc=rss
publisher = Guardian Unlimited
date = 2005-12-01
accessdate = 2007-06-05] Joey made a public appeal to his brother to come forward and help with the police investigation following the attack, and also made a series of calls to Michael, enquiring about his involvement in the incident.

[cite news
title = Axe jury hears player's statement
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4459864.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2005-11-22
accessdate = 2007-07-09]

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10278~23213,00.html Profile] at nufc.co.uk
* [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/?pf=p&i=8303&searchname=Barton&
] at FA homepage
*soccerbase|id=34138|name=Joey Barton

Persondata
NAME= Barton, Joseph Anthony
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Barton, Joey
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Professional footballer
DATE OF BIRTH= 1982-09-02
PLACE OF BIRTH= Liverpool, England
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=