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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. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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”.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 'Animal' Dele 'only person' to complete 'famous' Tottenham test

    Kyle Walker has revealed that “animal” Dele Alli is the “only person” to have completed a “famous” running test at Tottenham. Ex-England international Dele was once a hard-working, goal-getting midfielder for Spurs. His career has come off the rails somewhat since then, as he currently finds himself without a club, but he retains a special place in the hearts of north London natives.

  4. ‘Not the same’ - Forest urged to re-sign Newcastle flop Elanga

    Anthony Elanga has been told he is “not the same sort of person” since completing a £55 million ($73m) transfer to Newcastle, with Nottingham Forest being urged to consider re-signing the flying winger if their Premier League status can be retained. Former Reds striker Marlon Harewood, who also spent time on loan at St James’ Park, has told GOAL why familiar faces should be on the City Ground recruitment radar.

  5. ‘They’ll be knocking on the door’ - Rogers transfer prediction

    Aston Villa legend Andy Gray has told GOAL why domestic, and potentially continental rivals will be “knocking on the door” for Morgan Rogers during the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old playmaker has seen his stock soar, to the point that he could be a starter for England at the 2026 World Cup. Chelsea and Manchester United are among those to have already been credited with interest.

  6. Milner the manager? ‘Important’ advice from Klopp revealed

    James Milner has revealed to GOAL the “important” piece of advice that he received from former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp while mulling over his own move into coaching. The ex-England international, who has become the Premier League’s all-time leading appearance maker, is weighing up his future options while representing Brighton at 40 years of age.

  7. Love Island star McKenzie reveals when Lehmann romance blossomed

    Ex-Love Island contestant Montel McKenzie, who remains an ambitious semi-professional footballer, has revealed when his romance with WSL star and former Baller League coach Alisha Lehmann blossomed. The happy couple went Instagram official with their relationship in January having both spent time working alongside Ruben Dias’ television presenter partner, Maya Jama.