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. Lacey loses his head! Man Utd wonderkid shown first red card

    Manchester United wonderkid Shea Lacey picked up the first red card of his career in petulant circumstances as the Red Devils suffered more frustration against Brighton in the FA Cup. Old Trafford was left stunned by another abject performance from a star-studded cast, with teenage winger Lacey compounding their misery when he was dismissed in the final minute of the 90.

  2. Explained: Why Reynolds picked grass before Wrexham FA Cup win

    Ryan Reynolds was once again spotted picking grass from the Racecourse Ground pitch prior to Wrexham claiming a Premier League scalp in the 2025-26 FA Cup. The Red Dragons prevailed on penalties at the end of an epic third-round clash with Nottingham Forest, and one of their Hollywood co-owners made sure that he had a memento to take back to the United States.

  3. Salah hits goal milestone quicker than Messi & Ronaldo

    Mohamed Salah has reached an international goal milestone quicker than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Liverpool superstar is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt. He has helped to fire them into the semi-finals of that competition. During a last-eight showdown with the Ivory Coast, Salah found the target and reached 100 goal contributions for his country.

  4. Mavropanos stretchered off after suffering worrying head injury

    West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos had to be stretchered from the field after suffering a worrying head injury in the Hammers’ FA Cup third-round clash with Queens Park Rangers. The former Arsenal centre-half formed part of a nasty collision late in the first half, leading to him requiring lengthy treatment on the field and urgent medical attention off it.

  5. USMNT star Weah embraces ‘us against the world’ mentality

    USMNT star Tim Weah has explained why he is embracing an “us against the world mentality” at Marseille. The United States international, who began his professional career with Paris Saint-Germain, returned to France in the summer of 2025. He is now turning out alongside ex-Manchester United star Mason Greenwood and enjoys filling the role of villains in Ligue 1.

  6. Ronaldo faces competition! Portugal reveal World Cup plan

    Cristiano Ronaldo will face added competition for places at the 2026 World Cup, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has revealed. Evergreen 40-year-old CR7 is heading to that tournament, with another birthday being passed along the way, but is not expected to play every minute of every game - despite being captain of his country. Martinez is planning to take three strikers with him to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  7. ‘Until he retires’ - Why Messi will remain ‘best in the world’

    Lionel Messi remains “the best in the world” and will hold that title “until he retires”, claims the Argentine’s former Barcelona team-mate David Villa. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is now 38 years of age, but he is showing no sign of slowing down and continues to enhance his standing as the most decorated player of all-time while turning out in the United States for Inter Miami.

  8. Why ‘Kid Messi’ Gabriel isn’t in Man Utd squad for FA Cup clash

    Darren Fletcher, who has worked with JJ Gabriel at U18 level with Manchester United, has explained why the 15-year-old wonderkid is not being fast-tracked into the first-team fold at Old Trafford. The exciting youngster is eligible to feature in an FA Cup third-round clash with Brighton, as that competition uses different rules to the Premier League, but the decision has been made to hold him back.

  9. Why Solskjaer call could drive Rashford back to Man Utd

    A big decision from Manchester United on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could impact Marcus Rashford’s future as a Red Devils player, claims Gary Pallister. England international Rashford is currently taking in a season-long loan at La Liga giants Barcelona. He could, however, be absorbed back into the fold at Old Trafford over the summer if a familiar face inherits the managerial reins.

  10. Liverpool blow as Bradley discovers full extent of knee injury

    Liverpool have confirmed that Conor Bradley suffered “a significant knee injury” during their Premier League clash with Arsenal. The Northern Ireland international was stretchered from the field at Emirates Stadium and is now facing up to a lengthy spell on the sidelines. It is being suggested that the 22-year-old full-back has seen his 2025-26 campaign brought to a close.

  1. World Cup decision? What Messi discussed in private meeting

    Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni admits to holding a private meeting with Lionel Messi, with the topics of discussion during that chat being revealed. The Albiceleste are busy piecing together plans for their World Cup title defence. Having captured a global crown at Qatar 2022, the intention is to go back-to-back in 2026. All-time great Messi is expected to form part of that trophy bid.

  2. Explained: Why Ronaldo is abandoning £30m retirement villa

    Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to abandon his “dream” retirement villa, despite spending around £30 million ($40m) on the stunning property. The mansion features eight bedrooms and an infinity pool, but could soon be on the market. It may form part of Ronaldo’s lavish wedding to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez, but they will not be making it their permanent base.

  3. Van Dijk defends Liverpool players over treatment of Martinelli

    Virgil van Dijk has defended his Liverpool team-mates from any questions of their reaction to a show of disrespect from Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners winger sparked uproar in the Reds camp when attempting to drag injured Conor Bradley off the field towards the end of a Premier League fixture at Emirates Stadium. An unsightly melee was sparked that featured players from both teams.

  4. Keane accuses Ferguson of 'hanging on like bad smell' at Man Utd

    Roy Keane has sensationally accused Sir Alex Ferguson of "hanging on like a bad smell" at Manchester United. The legendary Scot retired from management in 2013 on the back of leading the Red Devils to a 13th Premier League title. He remains a regular presence at Old Trafford, with Darren Fletcher admitting that he spoke to his fellow countryman before agreeing to take charge of United on an interim basis following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

  5. Mohamed Salah Liverpool 2025

    'Kissed & made up' - Liverpool credited with 'genius' Salah call

    Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why he can see Mohamed Salah sticking around at Liverpool, with Premier League heavyweights and an Egyptian superstar appearing to have "kissed and made up". Owen believes that the Reds may have overseen a "stroke of genius" that brings a revitalised performer back into their ranks for the second half of the season.

  6. Agent Rashford?! Mainoo 'might be in contact' with Barcelona

    Former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta has suggested that Marcus Rashford may be acting as an agent at Camp Nou, with Kobbie Mainoo another of those to be seeing a move from Manchester United to Catalunya speculated on. If the Blaugrana are keen, then loan star Rashford could be used to help talk a fellow England international into treading a similar career path.

  7. Timeless Vardy! Striker hits milestone only bettered by Ronaldo

    Jamie Vardy continues to age like a fine wine, with the Premier League title-winning former England striker reaching 150 career goals across Europe’s top five divisions. He has achieved that feat at 38 years of age and while on the books of Serie A outfit Cremonese. Few can claim to have matched the legendary ex-Leicester frontman, with only Cristiano Ronaldo sitting above him on a notable chart.

  8. 'Big chance' - Kane told what he needs to win Ballon d'Or

    Michael Owen, who remains the last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, has told GOAL what Harry Kane needs to do in order to land a prestigious Golden Ball in 2026. The prolific Bayern Munich striker is considered to have a "big chance" of claiming that prize as he chases down Champions League glory at club level and a World Cup crown with England.

  9. Why Greenwood was surprisingly subbed before penalty shootout

    Roberto De Zerbi has explained why Mason Greenwood was surprisingly substituted prior to Marseille suffering French Super Cup heartache against Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout. The former Manchester United winger had converted from the spot in normal time, but found himself off the field when an epic battle for major silverware was settled by a test of nerves from 12 yards.