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. 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.

  2. ‘Disgusting!' - Zaha bites backs at Mateta after ‘bully’ claim

    Wilfried Zaha has launched a scathing attack on Jean-Phillipe Mateta, branding claims from his former Crystal Palace team-mate “disgusting”. The Ivory Coast international has not taken kindly to seeing a French forward that he once shared a dressing room with make comments that could be interpreted as him being a “bully”, with Zaha eager to get his side of the story across.

  3. 🎥 | Palmer leaves Messi & CR7 in tears with GOAT choice

    The latest 442oons parody clip sees Ballon d’Or-winning superstars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo reduced to tears as Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer makes his GOAT selection. Which icon did England international Palmer pick and who else - from Serie A to the Premier League via La Liga and the Bundesliga - has reacted to his choice? Watch the full video to find out!

  4. Rangers' managerial farce! Rohl out of race to succeed Martin

    Rangers’ bid to appoint a new manager as successor to Russell Martin is in danger of becoming slightly farcical, with another leading candidate reportedly withdrawing himself from the running. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is said to have performed a U-turn after holding initial talks, with former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl seemingly heading in the same direction.

  5. ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ in the PL? Why Rob & Ryan will keep doc

    Matt Jansen, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has explained why Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac would continue to make ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ in the Premier League. Said documentary has opened up a window to the world for the Red Dragons, with a record-breaking run of three successive promotions being caught on camera. Just one more step up the ladder is required in order to reach the big time.

  6. ‘Has to play!' - Courtois says England must pick Bellingham

    Thibaut Courtois is of the opinion that his Real Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham has to play for England at the 2026 World Cup. A surprising debate has been sparked there, with the all-action midfielder being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest Three Lions squad. He is still recovering from injury, but questions have been asked of Bellingham’s character and how he fits into the puzzle being pieced together by a demanding German coach.

  7. Kane back at Spurs: £57m transfer ‘big risk’ & a ‘downgrade’

    Danny Murphy, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has explained why any £57 million ($76m) transfer involving Harry Kane would be a “big risk” and a “downgrade” for the England captain if he were to head back to Tottenham. After lifting his trophy curse with Bayern Munich, the former Spurs striker is seeing a return to his homeland in the summer of 2026 speculated on.

  8. Premier League to vote on 'salary cap' opposed by Utd & City

    The Premier League is reportedly set to vote on proposals that could see a “salary cap” of sorts introduced at the top end of English football. An “anchoring” plan has been drawn up, which would limit spending for elite clubs, with shareholders expected to address that issue in November. Several teams, including Manchester rivals United and City, are said to oppose the concept.

  9. Casemiro facing huge call on £375k-a-week Man Utd contract

    Casemiro faces a huge call on his £375,000-a-week Manchester United contract, according to reports. The Brazil international midfielder has been at Old Trafford since 2022, when he completed a stunning switch to England from La Liga giants Real Madrid. His current deal is running down, with interest from clubs in his homeland and the Saudi Pro League said to have been shown.

  1. Estevao backed to join Hazard & Zola in Chelsea legends club

    Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian is being backed to emulate Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard by securing legend status at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian youngster considered to be “unbelievably good”. He has already been likened to iconic countryman Neymar, with big shoes to be filled there, while also earning the nickname ‘Messinho’ (Little Messi) in his homeland.

  2. 📽️ | GOAT tips! Messi's bodyguard scores sensational volley

    Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, appears to have picked up a few tips from the Inter Miami superstar. The former Navy SEAL has shown that he boasts finishing skills of his own, with a stunning volley being fired into the top corner. Unlike Messi, who is usually pretty reserved after hitting the back of the net, Cheuko indulged in a wild celebration after registering a scorching strike.

  3. Lewandowski out of Clasico! Barcelona rocked by injury blow

    Barcelona have suffered another injury blow, with Robert Lewandowski picking up a muscle tear while on international duty with Poland. The reigning La Liga champions have put no timescale on the Polish striker’s recovery, but it is being reported that he could be sidelined for several weeks. If that proves to be the case, then the veteran frontman will miss a Clasico clash with Real Madrid on October 26.

  4. 'So f*cking dissatisfied' - Isak fumes after Sweden are booed

    Alexander Isak was left “so f*cking dissatisfied” after seeing Sweden booed by their own supporters during another abject display in World Cup qualifying. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side appear destined to miss out on next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Liverpool striker Isak admitting that their recent performances have been “embarrassing”.

  5. Like Rooney & Gerrard! Bellingham concerns are ‘nonsense’

    Jude Bellingham has been likened to Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, with Danny Murphy saying in an exclusive chat with GOAL that any concerns regarding the Real Madrid superstar’s character are “nonsense”. Bellingham has faced a few uncomfortable questions on the back of being left out of the latest England squad, with Thomas Tuchel talking up the need for harmony in his ranks.

  6. Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 2022

    'Perfect for him' - Ronaldo tipped to fill future role at Man Utd

    Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to fill a future role at Manchester United, after taking in two spells at Old Trafford as a player, with Wes Brown claiming that an executive post for the Portuguese superstar would be “perfect”. Evergreen Al-Nassr frontman CR7 is not ready to consider a role behind the scenes just yet, with a new two-year contract being committed to in the Saudi Pro League that will take him beyond his 42nd birthday.

  7. 📽️ | GOAT! Lehmann chooses between Messi & Ronaldo

    Alisha Lehmann has added her voice to the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate, with the Switzerland international making her choice. Lehmann, who is now playing her club football in Italy for Como Women, has also aired her admiration for Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas and admitted that she remains a big fan of the Premier League.

  8. Trippier's estranged wife terrified after raid at £2m mansion

    Kieran Trippier’s estranged wife Charlotte has been left terrified after seeing burglars attempt to break into her £2 million mansion. Security measures ultimately did their job, with potential intruders failing to get inside the property, but a scary ordeal has “sent chills down the spine” of a family that fear they could be targeted again. Local police forces are investigating the incident.