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. ‘He was crying!’ - How Neville & Keane made Ronaldo a ‘robot’

    The role that Gary Neville and Roy Keane played in turning Cristiano Ronaldo into a footballing “robot” has been explained to GOAL by Eric Djemba-Djemba, with the Portuguese icon wiping away tears while heading down the path to superstardom. Some rough treatment was handed out during his first spell at Manchester United, but the all-time great has never been the type to back down from a challenge.

  2. ‘Old-fashioned’ Anderson ‘could be one of the very best’

    Elliot Anderson boasts enough potential to become “one of the very best”, Jack Colback has told GOAL, with the in-demand Nottingham Forest star considered to be an “old-fashioned” midfielder that is capable of doing a bit of everything. That skill set is said to be attracting admiring glances from Manchester, with City and United both mulling over the merits of a big-money transfer bid.

  3. ‘They don’t care’ - Onana told why he needs Man Utd exit

    Andre Onana has been told why a permanent transfer away from Manchester United needs to be arranged this summer, with the Cameroonian goalkeeper being informed by fellow countryman Eric Djemba-Djemba that demanding fans in England “don’t care” about second chances. A number of costly mistakes across two seasons at Old Trafford have led to Onana suffering a loss of confidence and heading out on loan.

  4. Gibbs-White urged to chase dream that ‘money can’t buy’

    Morgan Gibbs-White has been urged to chase a dream at Nottingham Forest that “money can’t buy”, with Jack Colback telling GOAL why the mercurial No.10 can go on to become an all-time great at the City Ground. A former team-mate of the talented England international has also explained what the 26-year-old’s “biggest attribute" is after seeing him become a Premier League superstar.

  5. Double & quits! Would PL & CL titles impact Arteta’s future?

    Arsenal are understandably keen to see Mikel Arteta agree to an extension of his contract, but could a Premier League and Champions League double lead the Spanish tactician to reassess his options? Domestic dominance has been restored in north London, with a historic European triumph up for grabs, and Ray Parlour has told GOAL what he expects the future to hold for a manager that has already spent six years in his current post.

  6. Zirkzee replacement? McTominay backed for Man Utd return

    Scott McTominay could return to Manchester United for a “big transfer fee”, Robert Snodgrass has told GOAL, with the Scotland international proving himself across two productive seasons at Napoli. The all-action midfielder has morphed into a goal-scoring No.10 in Italy and may be tempted to head back to Old Trafford as a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee.

  7. With top club posts filled will Pochettino extend USMNT contract?

    Mauricio Pochettino has seen prominent coaching posts filled by leading clubs in Europe, so could he stay on as USMNT boss beyond the end of a home World Cup cycle in 2026? Brad Friedel has explained to GOAL how the Argentine - with spells at Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain on his CV - can help American soccer to grow and rival established brands in American football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey.

  1. ‘Becomes mad very fast’ - Why Ronaldo could never be a coach

    Cristiano Ronaldo could never become a coach because he “becomes mad very fast”, Eric Djemba-Djemba has told GOAL, but CR7 is being backed to make a stunning return to Manchester United in a directorial capacity. The Portuguese GOAT has previously taken in two playing spells at Old Trafford, with it possible that a path back to the Theatre of Dreams could be trodden at some stage.

  2. Martinez at Liverpool? Transfer advice amid Alisson rumours

    Alisson has been generating surprising exit talk at Liverpool, with Brad Friedel telling GOAL why the Brazilian may be a bigger loss for the Reds than Mohamed Salah - as potential goalkeeping replacements are discussed. World Cup winner Emi Martinez is considered to be the kind of character that Arne Slot would require at Anfield if a new No.1 needs to be found.

  3. 'They’ll destroy Arsenal' - Gunners warned PSG could score FIVE

    Arsenal have been warned that Paris Saint-Germain will “destroy” them if they do not “play better football” in the Champions League final, with it possible that the French giants will score five goals in back-to-back European showpieces. Inter were crushed in 2025, with newly-crowned Premier League kings Arsenal now preparing to take on the toughest of continental challenges.

  4. American dream? Doubts cast over Messi & Ronaldo GOAT union

    Doubts have been cast over whether a stunning GOAT union could take place in the United States as Cristiano Ronaldo joins eternal rival Lionel Messi in MLS. Philippe Senderos has told GOAL that two all-time greats remain on “different paths”, but the American game is being backed to create its own superstars as “football culture” continues to grow.

  5. Golden Generation: Owen names stars that improve 2026 England

    Michael Owen has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, picked two players from England’s ‘Golden Generation’ that would improve the Three Lions’ class of 2026 and aid their bid for World Cup glory. The ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has also debated whether Harry Kane and Declan Rice could oust the likes of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard from an iconic team of the past.