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 Ronaldo ate grass at Juve! Bizarre behaviour explained

    Former Juventus defender Gianluca Frabotta has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo bizarrely took to smelling and chewing grass while in Turin. It was during the reign of Maurizio Sarri that the Portuguese icon indulged in some questionable behaviour, with the tactical demands of an enigmatic coach leaving the five-time Ballon d'Or winner feeling "annoyed".

  2. Beckham to help save Man Utd?! Takeover opportunity discussed

    David Beckham may be given the chance to help turn collective fortunes around at Manchester United, with it being reported that the Red Devils legend has been approached by a consortium from the United Arab Emirates to front a takeover bid. The ex-England captain would, if the buy out proved to be successful, be offered the chance to own a stake in the Premier League heavyweights.

  3. ‘Bullsh*t’ - X-rated response to shock Neymar transfer rumour

    Neymar is seeing his contract run down at Santos, meaning that another new challenge early in 2026 is being speculated on. With next summer's World Cup to think about, and Brazil hoping to secure a first global crown since 2002, Neymar is seeing a return to European football discussed. Italian giants Inter have, however, distanced themselves from the Samba superstar.

  4. 'More to come' - Rivals get warning from 400-goal Kane

    Harry Kane has warned domestic and international rivals that there is "more to come" from him after reaching 400 goals at club level. The prolific Bayern Munich and England striker hit that notable milestone when netting in a Klassiker clash with Borussia Dortmund. He has shared his pride at achieving a quadruple century, with there no sign of the 32-year-old slowing down any time soon.

  5. Why it's 'a matter of time' until £125m Isak hits top form

    Liverpool's Premier League rivals have been warned, by Danny Murphy in an exclusive interview with GOAL, that it is "just a matter of time" before Alexander Isak hits top form. The Sweden international striker became the most expensive player in British football when completing a £125 million ($168m) transfer to Anfield, but has registered just one goal for the Reds.

  6. Ronaldo back at Sporting without No.7? 'Beautiful story' plea

    Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to complete a "beautiful story" by returning to his roots at Sporting, even if that path is trodden without taking on the No.7 shirt. Ronaldo took his first tentative steps down the road to superstardom in Lisbon and has seen it suggested on a regular basis that he could bring his record-shattering career full circle by finishing where it all began.

  7. 'Back to real business!' - Grealish revival thrills Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola is thrilled to see Jack Grealish getting "back to real business" after leaving Manchester City for a loan spell at Everton. The England international found the going tough towards the end of his stint at the Etihad Stadium, but is playing with a smile on his face again and appears to be well on course to secure a permanent transfer to Merseyside in the summer of 2026.

  8. Liverpool icon Carragher compares misfiring Salah to Ronaldo

    Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has likened Mohamed Salah to Cristiano Ronaldo and explained why it is far too early to be writing the Egyptian superstar off at Liverpool. The remarkable numbers that he has been posting for the Reds have dipped slightly in 2025-26, on the back of signing a new contract, but the expectation is that he will come good again.

  9. Hermoso & Leon return to Spain squad following exiles

    Jenni Hermoso has been recalled to the Spain squad by new head coach Sonia Bermudez. The legendary forward, who is her country's all-time leading goalscorer, was caught up in the Luis Rubiales scandal which accompanied La Roja's World Cup triumph in 2023. She is now stepping back into the fold alongside former Barcelona team-mate Mapi Leon, who sees a three-year exile from the international arena brought to a close.

  1. 'What the f*ck do I do?' - Ex-Utd star's savage Ten Hag meeting

    Former Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has detailed the savage, and very short, meeting that he tried to arrange with Erik ten Hag - only to be left standing alone in a corridor wondering "what the f*ck do I do now". A brutal verbal volley was delivered in Bishop’s direction when he attempted to speak with the Red Devils’ Dutch coach about his contract situation.

  2. Florian Wirtz

    Wirtz given goals & assists target to justify £116m transfer fee

    Florian Wirtz has been set a goals and assists target that would help to justify his £116 million ($156m) transfer fee at Liverpool. The German playmaker briefly became the most expensive player in British football when moving to Anfield over the summer. He is still waiting on his first competitive goal contribution for the reigning Premier League champions.

  3. 'Not the biggest fan!' - Arsenal’s Mead criticises UWCL format

    Arsenal star Beth Mead admits that she is "not the biggest fan" of the new Women's Champions League format. Changes have been made to elite European competition that mirror those made in the men's game. Rather than a group stage playing out, all 18 teams are now placed into one league table - with the Gunners hoping to successfully navigate that en route to defending their continental crown.

  4. It's Rashford's fault! Rooney blames Utd outcast for downfall

    Wayne Rooney says that Marcus Rashford has to accept responsibility for his own demise at Manchester United, with the Old Trafford outcast suggesting that an "inconsistent environment" contributed to his struggles for form before being sent out on loan. The England international, having been deemed surplus to requirements by the Premier League heavyweights, is currently taking in a spell with Barcelona.

  5. Ronaldo return? CR7 wants to 'make Man Utd great again'

    Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old Trafford in some capacity, the Portuguese's former team-mate Danny Simpson has said in an exclusive interview with GOAL, as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to "make Manchester United great again". A third stint with the Red Devils may be taken in once retirement has been reached and a move into directorial posts is explored.

  6. Agent Mbeumo! Man Utd star advising 'little brother' Baleba

    Manchester United may have a secret agent on their hands in Bryan Mbeumo, with the Red Devils winger said to be urging Cameroon international team-mate Carlos Baleba to join him at Old Trafford. United remain in the market for another proven performer to operate in the heart of their midfield, with a big-money raid on Premier League rivals Brighton being mooted.

  7. 'Man Utd has become a cesspool' - Zirkzee’s agent blasted

    Joshua Zirzkee’s agent has been blasted for "choosing the money" when it comes to his client, with Manchester United considered to have "become a cesspool". Netherlands international Zirkzee moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024, when having other options to consider at the time, and has tumbled down the pecking order with the Premier League heavyweights.

  8. Did Haaland miss big Ballon d'Or chance?!

    Sergio Aguero is not convinced that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland missed his big Ballon d’Or opportunity when losing out to Lionel Messi in 2023. The prolific Norwegian frontman enjoyed a memorable debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, becoming a Treble winner, but still saw Argentine GOAT Messi walk off with the most prestigious of individual accolades.

  9. FIFA hints that Trump CAN strip cities of World Cup fixtures

    FIFA has hinted that U.S. President Donald Trump will have the authority to strip cities of 2026 World Cup hosting rights if they are considered to pose too much of a safety risk. A global gathering of elite sporting talent is due to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer. As things stand, 11 venues across the USA are due to welcome fans from around the globe to their front door.

  10. Vardy doc confirmed as cameras join ‘great character’ in Italy

    Jamie Vardy will star in a new TV documentary, Danny Simpson has confirmed to GOAL during an exclusive interview, with the Leicester City legend embracing a new professional challenge in Italy. After linking up with Cremonese, a “great character” is being backed to entertain audiences alongside wife Rebekah - with Vardy’s remarkable career following a Hollywood script.