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. 'Narrative like Hollywood!' - Rob & Ryan warned off Wrexham axe

    Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been praised for making the "narrative" at Wrexham "like Hollywood", with three successive promotions being enjoyed, but they are being warned that sacking record-breaking manager Phil Parkinson would be "absolute madness". The odd question has been asked of the Red Dragons’ boss this season, with Steven Gerrard rumoured to be a possible contender to take over at SToK Racecourse.

  2. 'Bluffed his way into job!' - Amorim's chat landed Man Utd role

    Ruben Amorim has been brutally told that he "bluffed his way into a job" at Manchester United, with his gift of the gab allowing a prominent Premier League post to be secured. The Portuguese tactician, after impressing in his homeland with Sporting, was handed the reins at Old Trafford in November 2024. A baptism of fire in English football has been endured since then, leading to plenty of uncomfortable questions being asked.

  3. Wrexham provide 'temptation' for Liverpool legend Gerrard

    Working alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham while remaining close to his Merseyside roots would be a serious "temptation" for Steven Gerrard, claims Pat Nevin. The Liverpool legend has been out of coaching since severing ties with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, but has left himself open to intriguing offers that could tempt him back into the dugout.

  4. Jose Mourinho

    'Already be in sh*t' - Mourinho told fans 'prefer Pep & Klopp'

    Jose Mourinho has been warned that he may "already be in sh*t" at Benfica as many supporters of his new club "prefer Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp". Having returned to his homeland in familiar surroundings, it is up to Mourinho to win those supporters over. He remains one of the most highly-decorated coaches in the business, but has seen the odd question asked of his methods at 62 years of age.

  5. Rashford knows he's in form! Barca star revels in latest assist

    Marcus Rashford is revelling in his form at Barcelona, with the Manchester United outcast adding another assist to his tally with La Liga heavyweights. The England international has been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, allowing him to spend time with Aston Villa and Barca, and the 27-year-old forward is determined to prove to his parent club that he is no spent force.

  6. Man Utd missed 'saviour' as 'world would be different' with Kane

    Manchester United have been told that Harry Kane would have been their "saviour" and the "world would be different" had a transfer that was mooted across several transfer windows been completed. During Kane’s record-breaking spell at Tottenham, the Red Devils often saw a raid on Premier League rivals for the most prolific of strikers speculated on. No deal was ever done and the England international is now making more history in Germany with Bayern Munich.

  7. 'Banging drums & smoke' - Liverpool get UCL 'pressure' warning

    Liverpool have been warned to brace themselves for "banging drums and smoke everywhere" when travelling to Turkey for a Champions League clash with Galatasaray. The Reds will be back in European action on Tuesday, with Arne Slot’s side being told - by a man who knows all about life at both clubs - that they must put any distractions out of their mind when entering the most hostile of environments.

  8. Bowen under fire amid questions of 'ability to lead West Ham'

    Jarrod Bowen has become caught up in the storm sparked by Graham Potter's sacking at West Ham, with questions being asked of whether the England international is the right man to lead the Hammers as captain. Another change in the dugout has been made at the London Stadium, with ex-Brighton and Chelsea coach Potter being relieved of his duties after just 25 games at the helm.

  9. Rooney in Man Utd meltdown as players & owners called out

    The ongoing struggles of Manchester United have Wayne Rooney in meltdown, with the club's all-time leading goalscorer calling out underperforming players and an ownership group that lacks leadership. Ruben Amorim continues to see questions asked of his future as manager at Old Trafford, with Rooney concerned by the direction in which the 13-time Premier League champions are heading.

  10. Amorim is safe - for now! Ratcliffe & Utd 'refusing to panic'

    Manchester United are reportedly "refusing to panic" when it comes to Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese coach being assured that his position at Old Trafford is not under serious threat. Questions continue to be asked of whether the Red Devils should be making another change in the dugout, with consistency in the Premier League proving elusive despite huge investments of faith and funds in the current coaching regime.

  1. Bellingham told to copy LeBron James with $3m recovery scheme

    Jude Bellingham has been advised to take inspiration from NBA legend LeBron James. The England international midfielder has returned to competitive action with Real Madrid after undergoing shoulder surgery over the summer. He is now looking to retain fitness for as long as possible, allowing him to star for club and country, with Malik Scott urging the Three Lions talisman to take a leaf out of LeBron’s record-shattering playbook.

  2. 'Intense final day!' - Kane revels in Ryder Cup win for Europe

    Bayern Munich and England star Harry Kane, who is a huge golf fan, has been revelling in a dramatic Ryder Cup win for Team Europe. Heading into the final day of that event, it appeared as those the away side at Bethpage Black in New York would ease their way to the most convincing of victories. That is not how things played out, with Kane among those to see their nerves shredded before an iconic trophy was finally retained by Luke Donald's troops.

  3. Wrexham PL prediction as Brady mimics 'OGs' Rob & Ryan

    Wrexham have been told that they will reach the Premier League in "two or three years", with Tom Brady and Birmingham considered to be mimicking the model drawn up in North Wales by "OGs" Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Red Dragons have enjoyed a historic run of three successive promotions, and Ben Foster believes they will be playing top-flight football at some point in the near future.

  4. Kane 'taken for granted' after 13th-place finish at Ballon d’Or

    Harry Kane is "being taken for granted", according to former England international Joleon Lescott, with the Bayern Munich striker only managing a 13th-place finish at the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The Three Lions captain finished outside of the top 10, as Ousmane Dembele was named the best player on the planet, despite netting 41 goals last season and breaking his trophy duck with a Bundesliga title triumph.

  5. Helping Kane lift trophy curse still gives Dier 'goosebumps'

    Eric Dier admits that memories of breaking his trophy duck, while helping Harry Kane to lift his silverware curse, still gives him goosebumps. The versatile England international became a title winner alongside his close friend and fellow former Tottenham star when helping Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga crown in 2024-25. Memories of that success will live with Dier forever.

  6. Frankenstein team! Amorim gets Man Utd replacement warning

    Ruben Amorim has been warned that he faces the threat of being replaced by a Manchester United legend at Old Trafford, with a "Frankenstein team" being assembled. The Red Devils have continued to spend big in the transfer market, but are being told that "none of it fits together" as they continue to struggle for consistency. If positivity remains elusive, then a change in the dugout could be made.

  7. Carragher blasts Chelsea's 'obsession for collecting wingers'

    Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has blasted Chelsea’s transfer policy, claiming that the Blues are "obsessed with collecting wingers" and are "more interested in transfers than trophies". The west London heavyweights did win the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2024-25, as Enzo Maresca enjoyed a productive debut campaign at the helm, but questions continue to be asked of the recruitment model at Stamford Bridge.

  8. Man Utd & Amorim 'working with Mainoo' on defending

    Ruben Amorim is reportedly "working with Kobbie Mainoo on his defensive plays" at Manchester United, with the Red Devils refusing to rule the homegrown midfielder out of their long-term future plans. The talented 20-year-old has struggled for regular game time under Amorim this season, but Casemiro's impending suspension could present him with an opportunity to reclaim a starting berth.

  9. Leoni out for 'around a year' with ACL injury, confirms Slot

    Liverpool have confirmed that Giovanni Leoni suffered knee ligament damage when making his competitive debut for the club in a Carabao Cup clash with Southampton. The teenage defender only moved to Anfield over the summer from Parma in his native Italy. Reds boss Arne Slot has announced that the talented youngster is expected to be sidelined for "around a year".