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. Why Reynolds & Mac have become ‘underdogs’ at Wrexham

    Wrexham’s sights remain firmly locked on the Premier League, but Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been informed that the Red Dragons are “outsiders” and “underdogs” to hit that target in 2026. Following a record-breaking run of three successive promotions, Don Goodman has explained to GOAL why the Welsh outfit should be happy with their efforts if a fourth falls agonisingly out of reach.

  2. Mental block? Hudson-Odoi gets ‘basics’ advice from Forest icon

    Nottingham Forest legend Stan Collymore has told GOAL how Callum Hudson-Odoi can go about rediscovering his lost spark. The former Chelsea winger has earned trust from four different managers at the City Ground this season, but goals and assists have been in short supply. A “mental” block is considered to be impacting efforts to find top form, with the talented 25-year-old being urged to go back to “basics”.

  3. ‘Not Messi!’ - Greenwood deemed only good enough for Villa

    Mason Greenwood continues to generate plenty of transfer talk, but Marseille legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL why the English forward would only be good enough for Aston Villa - not Arsenal or Manchester City - if he returned to the Premier League. Leading sides across Europe have been linked with the goalscoring winger, with a move away from France in 2026 being mooted.

  4. Rice, Kane, Bellingham: Next English Ballon d’Or winner will be?

    Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are all considered to be Ballon d’Or-worthy talents, but who will be the next Englishman to win the prestigious Golden Ball? Former Three Lions midfielder Gareth Barry has delivered his verdict to GOAL, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid superstars eager to be recognised as the best player on the planet.

  5. Chelsea advised to make THREE new signings in key areas

    Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL why at least three new signings will be required at Stamford Bridge in the next transfer market, with key areas of the Blues’ squad needing to be addressed. Huge quantities of time and money have been invested in youthful additions across recent windows, with one eye on the future, but Premier League heavyweights are being advised to alter their approach and focus more on the present.

  6. Dowman told what will ‘go against him’ in England World Cup bid

    Max Dowman has made Premier League history at Arsenal, with the 16-year-old wonderkid rewriting the record books, but Gareth Barry has told GOAL why the exciting youngster is likely to miss out on a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. There has been talk of the teenager becoming a wild card for the Three Lions, but questions are being asked of whether he needs to be fast tracked through that system.

  1. Everton get Ndiaye transfer warning amid Man Utd rumours

    Everton have been informed that they need to keep Iliman Ndiaye “happy” as the Senegal international continues to generate rumours of transfer interest from Manchester United. The classy playmaker, who can operate on the wing or as a No.10, is attracting plenty of admiring glances - with Gareth Barry telling GOAL how the Toffees can ensure that no sale needs to be sanctioned.

  2. Kane backed to emulate Ronaldo by playing into his 40s

    Harry Kane is being tipped to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo by playing into his 40s, with ex-England star Gareth Barry telling GOAL why the prolific Bayern Munich striker should be giving no thought to retirement. Kane is only 32, with many years ahead of him, and is expected to offer domestic and international bosses a huge boost by following in the footsteps of fellow all-time greats.

  3. Will USMNT star Richards return to a Bayern Munich-sized club?

    Chris Richards has already spent time on the books of Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich, but will the USMNT star see his career path lead back to a club of that size and stature? Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has explained to GOAL why the Eagles defender is destined for big things, with questions being asked of his future amid contract uncertainty at Selhurst Park.

  4. More than Isak? Kane told £500m price tag would be ‘worth it’

    Uli Hoeness has claimed that Harry Kane could be worth more than Alexander Isak in the open transfer market, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL that the Bayern Munich striker would represent value for money at £500 million ($662m). That tongue-in-cheek assessment has been delivered as questions continue to be asked of how much longer the prolific England captain will spend at the Allianz Arena.

  5. ‘He's going to crack line-up for PL team’ - Sullivan prediction

    A move to Manchester City forms part of Cavan Sullivan’s sporting destiny, and Freddy Adu has told GOAL why the teenage wonderkid will one day “crack the starting line-up for a Premier League team”. For now, there is still much work for the exciting 16-year-old to do when it comes to unlocking full potential in his game. If he can achieve that, then the top-flight in England should be illuminated at some point in the not too distant future.