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. Messi to match Ronaldo? Argentine backed to reach 1,000 goals

    Lionel Messi is being backed to emulate the achievements of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo by also reaching 1,000 career goals. Portuguese superstar CR7 is closing in on that figure while plying his club trade for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Argentine GOAT Messi is also being tipped to hit that notable milestone after signing a contract extension in MLS with Inter Miami.

  2. Arteta confirms Arsenal's title bid is being powered by AI

    Mikel Arteta has admitted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping to power Arsenal’s Premier League title bid. The Gunners are looking to land a first top-flight crown since the fabled ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04, with their Spanish head coach prepared to use all of the tools available to him. He has, however, urged caution when leaning on technology for assistance.

  3. CR7 tipped as 'icon who loves hair' to give United Strand trim

    Cristiano Ronaldo is, as a "big icon who loves hair", being tipped to become the A-list barber that eventually gets to give The United Strand a fresh trim. Red Devils fan Frank Ilett has gone viral after vowing not to cut his locks until Ruben Amorim's side have won five games in a row. They recently ticked three of those boxes, but the wait goes on as various names are offered up as potential cutters of what has become rather wild hair.

  4. 'Can't see him turning Man Utd down' - Shock Kane transfer tip

    Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson has boldly claimed that he could not see Harry Kane turning the Red Devils down if they were to make another play for the England captain in 2026. Kane is currently on the books of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, but has exit clauses in his contract that can be triggered in upcoming transfer windows - with a return to the Premier League being speculated on.

  5. Oxlade-Chamberlain reveals contract offers after Arsenal return

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is back training with Arsenal after becoming a free agent, claims to have turned down offers from a number of clubs. The 35-time England international has returned to his homeland after being released by Turkish side Besiktas. He is prepared to be patient while seeking fresh terms, with the midfielder making it clear where his next port of call will be.

  6. Enzo's love triangle involving Wanda Nara takes new twist

    The supposed love triangle that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez finds himself at the centre of has taken a new twist, with Wanda Nara furiously denying that she was looking to enter into an affair with the Argentina international. The former wife of Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi was said to have messaged Fernandez behind the back of his partner Valentina Cervantes.

  1. England squad: Bellingham & Foden return alongside Scott

    Jude Bellingham has been recalled by England for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The Real Madrid superstar was left out of Thomas Tuchel's selection in October, amid questions of his character, but has been drafted back into the Three Lions fold for November internationals. Phil Foden has also been selected, while there is a shock first call-up for Alex Scott.

  2. Tottenham's Bissouma loses over £800k in 'fraud' case

    Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has reportedly lost more than £800,000 in a fraud case that saw funds "unknowingly" sent out of his bank account. Said losses are said to have occurred between September 2022 and June 2024, with the Spurs star initially unaware of what was going on. A suspect in the case was arrested over a ago and faces a possible prison sentence.

  3. Messi x Ronaldo at Inter Miami? CR7 'would love to go there'

    Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen claims that Cristiano Ronaldo "would love" to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as two all-time greats approach the end of their record-shattering careers. It has, however, been suggested that Hollywood would be a more likely MLS landing spot for CR7 if opportunities to join teams in Los Angeles materialised.

  4. ‘Great job not signing Haaland’ - Real transfer shout explained

    Real Madrid “did a great job by not signing Erling Haaland”, according to former Blancos star Wesley Sneijder, with the Norwegian striker considered to be the wrong fit for a team that now has Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Sneijder, who is a big fan of Haaland, has also picked out the obvious heirs to crowns that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have worn with such distinction for so long.

  5. Bellingham decision! Tuchel makes huge England selection call

    Thomas Tuchel has reportedly decided to draft Jude Bellingham back into his England squad for the November internationals. The Real Madrid superstar was surprisingly left out of the Three Lions’ ranks in October after recovering from shoulder surgery and returning to action at club level. The expectation is that he will figure in 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

  6. Pulisic contract extension in ‘stand-by phase’ at AC Milan

    Christian Pulisic’s new contract at AC Milan remains in “stand-by phase”, according to reports, with the USMNT star seeing no renewal meetings lined up by the Serie A giants. Fresh terms for the American forward have been mooted for some time, but the relevant paperwork remains unsigned and he has become the subject of renewed transfer talk at San Siro.