Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.

My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
  • News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
  • Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
  • Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why

Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Wrong choice? Ugarte gets Utd exit advice after Chelsea snub

    Manuel Ugarte has been advised to leave Manchester United in the next transfer window, with Gus Poyet still disappointed that his fellow Uruguayan snubbed a move to Chelsea. A switch to Old Trafford has not played out as planned for the South American midfielder, with Poyet telling GOAL why the 24-year-old finds himself entering a career-defining “big summer”.

  2. Anderson & Gibbs-White get England-themed relegation warning

    Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White have been sent an England-themed relegation warning at Nottingham Forest, but there is no guarantee that both will leave the City Ground this summer. The Reds - who are also seeing Brazilian defender Murillo generate transfer talk - are battling for Premier League survival, with Marlon Harewood discussing various scenarios there with GOAL.

  3. Gerrard brutally told his dream of managing Liverpool is DEAD

    Steven Gerrard has been brutally informed that his dream of managing Liverpool has “died”, with an emotional return to Anfield being ruled out. There was a point, when winning the Scottish Premiership title at Rangers, that Gerrard was considered to be a Reds boss of the future. Emile Heskey has told GOAL why that may no longer be the case for his former team-mate.

  4. Moore to stay at Rangers? How wonderkid’s future will be decided

    Mikey Moore has long been billed as one of the most exciting wonderkids in British football, with Andy Gray telling GOAL why Rangers may continue to benefit from the 18-year-old’s impressive development. The teenage playmaker is tied to Premier League giants Tottenham, but a productive loan spell at Ibrox has been enjoyed and an extension to that deal could be thrashed out for 2026-27.

  5. Garnacho told what he’s missing & how to justify £40m price tag

    Alejandro Garnacho has been told what is missing from his game and how a £40 million ($54m) price tag at Chelsea can be justified. The Argentina international winger has struggled for consistency across the end of his time at Manchester United and during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. Former Blues star Gus Poyet has told GOAL how the 21-year-old can live up to expectations.

  6. Reigan next? Heskey’s son enjoys ‘getting battered’ on City loan

    Emile Heskey has revealed to GOAL that his son Jaden is enjoying “getting battered” during a spell at Sheffield Wednesday, with England U18 star Reigan next in line for a loan transfer away from Manchester City. Ex-Liverpool striker Heskey is playing the role of proud father as his children seek to forge their own career in the professional game, with senior football required in order to complete that process.

  7. McAtee's Forest struggles prompt 'difficult conversation'

    James McAtee has endured a tough time at Nottingham Forest following his £30 million ($40m) transfer from Manchester City, with the 23-year-old playmaker prompting a “difficult conversation”. Former Reds striker Marlon Harewood has told GOAL why struggles for a spark at the City Ground are difficult to understand, with McAtee clearly a talented individual.

  1. Explained: Vital World Cup role Turner could fill for USMNT

    Matt Turner may have fallen down the USMNT’s goalkeeping depth chart, but Brad Friedel has explained to GOAL why the New England Revolution shot-stopper could still have a vital role to play at the 2026 World Cup. Matt Freese is considered to be leading the race for starting duties at this summer’s global gathering in North America, but Mauricio Pochettino will want an able back-up at his disposal.

  2. Record-breaking Milner facing ‘really tough’ retirement call

    James Milner appreciates that, at 40 years of age, he will soon be faced with a “really tough” decision regarding retirement. The former Manchester City and Liverpool midfielder is still going strong at Brighton, having become the Premier League’s all-time leading appearance maker, but has told GOAL of the big career calls that must be made in the not too distant future.

  3. Will Lehmann leave? Leicester warned over ‘commercial titan’

    Alisha Lehmann is only a matter of weeks into her spell at Leicester City, but the WSL outfit have been warned that on-field struggles could lead to the “commercial titan” beating a hasty retreat. Switzerland international Lehmann returned to English football in January following stints in Italy with Juventus and Como Women. Emile Heskey has told GOAL what she offers to the Foxes.

  4. Everton told how to keep Utd & Arsenal-linked 'one-off talent'

    Everton have been advised on how supposed interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in “one-off talent” Iliman Ndiaye can be fended off. Ex-Toffees striker Andy Gray is a big fan of the Senegal international and can see why he is “attracting a lot of attention”. The Scot has told GOAL what could happen in the summer transfer window of 2026.

  5. Clough vs Mourinho: Why there would ‘only be one winner’

    Back in the 1970s and 80s, Brian Clough prided himself on upsetting the establishment. In more recent times, Jose Mourinho has taken on the role of managerial disrupter in chief. What would have happened had a couple of European Cup-winning coaches locked horns at the peak of their powers? Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley has explained to GOAL why there would “only be one winner”.

  6. Klopp return to Liverpool? Legendary boss won't 'risk legacy'

    Jurgen Klopp returning to Liverpool would be a fairytale story for all concerned, but Emile Heskey has explained to GOAL why the enigmatic German tactician will not want to “risk his legacy” on Merseyside. Change in the Anfield dugout is being mooted as Arne Slot struggles to deliver consistency, with it being suggested that a familiar face could be lured back to a spiritual home.

  7. Title credit gone? Slot given UCL sack warning at Liverpool

    Arne Slot has been warned that Premier League title-winning credit at Liverpool is likely to have expired, with Champions League qualification required in order to avoid the sack. The Dutch tactician oversaw domestic dominance in his debut season at Anfield, but has tumbled off the loftiest of perches this term. Ex-Reds striker Emile Heskey has explained to GOAL what needs to happen in order for the axe to be avoided.

  8. Liverpool WILL listen to offers for Salah! Bold shout explained

    Emile Heskey has told GOAL why Liverpool will listen to offers for Mohamed Salah this summer, with the Egyptian superstar finding himself back on the bench. The mercurial winger, with 254 goals for the Reds to his name, is under contract until the summer of 2027. He may, however, be moved on in the next transfer window while a fee can still be generated.

  9. Records vs trophies: Which mean more to history-maker Milner?

    Premier League history-maker James Milner has explained to GOAL why collective trophies won as part of “special” dressing rooms mean more to him than any personal accolades. The former Manchester City and Liverpool midfielder, who is now with Brighton, has been rewriting the English top-flight record books as an individual, but continues to take great pride in being a team player.

  10. Flabbergasted! Utd slammed over 'staggering' McTominay misuse

    Manchester United continue to face questions over why they allowed Scott McTominay to move on, with ex-Scotland international Andy Gray telling GOAL why a 2024 transfer left him “flabbergasted”. The Red Devils agreed to part with a home-grown star when sanctioning a £26 million ($35m) move to Napoli - with that decision coming back to haunt them as McTominay has starred in Italy.