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. Gyokeres not the answer! Arsenal still missing Haaland-esque No.9

    Arsenal hoped that Viktor Gyokeres would be the final piece in their Premier League title-winning puzzle, but Paul Dickov has told GOAL why the Gunners are still in need of an Erling Haaland-esque No.9. A player of that ilk has been sought at Emirates Stadium for some time, with the lack of a prolific striker considered to have contributed significantly to near misses on the domestic coronation front.

  2. Haaland backed to smash PL record held by Salah & Henry

    Erling Haaland is being backed to smash another record, one held by Arsenal and Liverpool legends Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah, as the Manchester City striker closes in on his third Premier League Golden Boot. Only two men have ever collected four of those prizes, but Paul Dickov has told GOAL why an unstoppable Norwegian phenomenon will go on to rewrite the history books.

  3. ‘Can’t see Arsenal sacking him’ - Why Arteta could still leave

    Paul Dickov has told GOAL that despite being unable to see Arsenal “sacking” Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard could still leave Emirates Stadium if another Premier League title falls agonisingly out of reach. Some uncomfortable questions are being asked in north London, following another collapse of sorts, with Dickov offering his take on the long-running “bottle” debate.

  4. Revealed: Kane goal list had team-mates ‘laughing at him’

    Harry Kane once wrote a list of career goals that left Tottenham team-mates “laughing at him”, with fellow Spurs academy graduate Paul-Jose M’Poku telling GOAL who the “only person” that believed in the record-breaking striker was. In his younger years, few could have predicted what the current England captain would become. He has, however, had the last laugh and proved any doubters wrong.

  1. What has gone wrong at Spurs? Arsenal form part of explanation

    Tottenham thought they had bottomed out when finishing 17th in the Premier League, but now find themselves languishing in the relegation zone. What has gone wrong and in which direction should the finger of blame point? Former Spurs academy graduate and current Baller League star Paul-Jose M’Poku has used north London neighbours Arsenal as part of his explanation during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

  2. Biggest mistake? Chelsea ‘building ugly house’ after sack call

    Chelsea stand accused of “building a very ugly house” on the back of their surprising decision to sack Enzo Maresca, with Paul Parker admitting to GOAL that said call may represent the Blues’ biggest mistake. Two major honours were delivered to Stamford Bridge in 2025, but they are now in danger of going trophyless in 2026 and missing out on Champions League qualification.

  3. ‘Face of card shark’ - Palmer transfer talk should worry Chelsea

    Chelsea have been told that they should be worried about the transfer talk that continues to rage around Cole Palmer, with the Manchester United-linked playmaker considered to have “lost” his spark and adopted the “face of a card shark”. Ex-Blues defender Paul Parker has told GOAL why exit rumours at Stamford Bridge come as no surprise due to the way Todd Boehly and Co are running the club.

  4. Vini Jr ‘so big & so good’ that Real exit is almost impossible

    Vinicius Junior continues to generate plenty of lively discussion at Real Madrid, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why the Brazilian superstar is “so big and so good” that only “two teams” could afford to put a transfer deal in place. The South American forward has become a divisive character in world football, but Owen doubts that he will trade Santiago Bernabeu for another landing spot in Europe or the Saudi Pro League.