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. ‘Everyone is afraid’ of Barcelona wonderkid Yamal

    Aymeric Laporte admits that “everyone is afraid” of Spain international team-mate Lamine Yamal, with the Barcelona wonderkid having rivals running scared. At just 18 years of age, the teen sensation continues to see his stock soar. He has earned another comparison to Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi, with their dribbling ability considered to occupy a similar talent pool.

  2. Stick to the day job, Ruben! Maya Jama shares Dias’ artwork

    Ruben Dias would be advised to stick to his day job, with Maya Jama sharing some of the Manchester City defender’s attempts at artwork. The Love Island presenter, who has been filming in South Africa, got to spend Valentine’s Day with her Portuguese partner. They headed out for a romantic meal, with that dining experience including opportunities to put their drawing skills to the test.

  3. Why NBA superstar Giannis is more Ronaldo than Messi

    Giannis Antetokounmpo has explained why he is more Cristiano Ronaldo than Lionel Messi, with the NBA superstar adding his voice to the long-running GOAT debate. The Milwaukee Bucks talisman is hoping to form part of those discussions in basketball circles and sees himself being cut from similar sporting cloth to Portuguese icon CR7 - while being a huge admirer of magical Argentina international Messi.

  4. Van Dijk breaks silence on 'good friend' Salah's future

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence on the future of “good friend” Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian superstar continuing to see a move away from Anfield speculated. Interest from the Saudi Pro League refuses to go away, heading towards the summer transfer window, but those on Merseyside are hoping to see a talismanic presence stay put.

  5. Nottingham Forest hire FOURTH manager of season

    Nottingham Forest have confirmed the appointment of their fourth permanent manager in the 2025-26 campaign. Premier League history has been made there, with Vitor Pereira taking over at the City Ground. He follows in the immediate footsteps of Sean Dyche, with Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou having previously been relieved of their duties on Trentside.

  1. Drama at Greenwood's Marseille as fans storm presidential suites

    A turbulent period for Marseille has delivered more drama, with disgruntled supporters trying to storm presidential suites at Stade Velodrome. A furious stampede took place following a 2-2 draw with Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Said contest saw Mason Greenwood among the goals again, but Marseille threw away a commanding lead to drop two points in dramatic fashion.

  2. History-making Kane reveals next target after reaching 500 goals

    Harry Kane has been rewriting the history books again, becoming the first Englishman to reach 500 career goals. That is some achievement from the prolific Bayern Munich striker, as he has bettered the exploits of iconic figures such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney. The 32-year-old frontman has revealed his next target.

  3. 'Wasting too many touches' - Kane given tactical advice

    Michael Owen has delivered tactical advice to Harry Kane and England manager Thomas Tuchel, with the former Three Lions striker telling GOAL why the “best finisher in the world” needs to heed advice when it comes to doing his “job”. As the ultimate team player Kane is happy to drop wide and deep, but that takes him away from areas where he can cause the most damage.

  4. Revealed: When 40-year-old Modric will make Milan contract call

    AC Milan are ready to trigger an extension option in Luka Modric’s contract, but the Ballon d’Or winner will not make a decision on his future until the end of the season. The iconic Croatian midfielder is now 40 years of age and wants to mull over his options carefully. USMNT star Christian Pulisic is taking a similar stance, as he delays committing to fresh terms at San Siro.

  5. Injured Bellingham in ‘race against time’ with England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel admits that Jude Bellingham faces a “race against time” when it comes to proving his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid midfielder is nursing a hamstring injury picked up at club level. He has not been ruled out of March internationals, but may require his head coach with the Three Lions to make a selection based on reputation this summer.

  6. Man Utd ‘leading the way’ for McTominay transfer

    Manchester United are “leading the way” when it comes to a possible transfer for Scott McTominay, according to reports in Italy, as the Scotland international “dreams” of a return to the Premier League. The 29-year-old has enjoyed a productive spell in Italy with Serie A champions Napoli, but is open to the idea of retracing steps to English football in 2026.

  7. Will Salah follow Messi or Ronaldo? MLS transfer claim

    Mohamed Salah will reportedly have the option of following Lionel Messi to the United States or Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League when another transfer window opens this summer. The Liverpool superstar has seen a move to the Middle East speculated on for some time, but Fabrizio Romano claims interest is also being shown from teams in MLS.

  8. Yamal ridiculed by Simeone during disastrous Barcelona defeat

    Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was ridiculed by Diego Simeone during the Blaugrana’s disastrous Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid. Hansi Flick’s side, who sit top of the Liga table, found themselves four goals down by half-time in the first leg of an epic cup clash at Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Simeone took great delight in reminding Yamal of the scoreline.