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. Man City announce signing of £62.5m winger Semenyo

    Manchester City have announced the signing of Antoine Semenyo on a long-term contract from Premier League rivals Bournemouth. The Ghana international winger has penned a deal at the Etihad Stadium through to the summer of 2031. The transfer package involved is said to come in at £62.5 million ($84m), with it possible that said fee could rise by a further £1.5m if certain targets are hit.

  2. Liverpool's 600-match, 16-year streak is over!

    Liverpool’s goalless draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium saw the Reds snap a 600-game streak that had extended across 16 years. The defending Premier League champions grew into the game in north London, keeping the current table-toppers pegged back for long periods, but failed to test David Raya in the Gunners’ goal with no shots on target.

  3. Arsenal star Martinelli issues apology to injured Bradley

    Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has issued an apology to Liverpool defender Conor Bradley after seeing his actions towards the end of a Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium branded "absolutely disgraceful". Martinelli showed no sympathy for Bradley after the Northern Ireland international went down with an injury that ultimately led to him being removed on a stretcher - with the Gunners forward trying to drag his domestic rival off the pitch.

  4. ‘Don’t win it in January’ - Szoboszlai’s Arsenal title warning

    Dominik Szoboszlai insists that Liverpool are not throwing in the towel on their Premier League title defence, with table-topping Arsenal being warned: “You don’t win it by January.” The Reds will have the chance to close in on the Gunners when taking in a trip to Emirates Stadium, with Arne Slot’s side adamant that they can complete an improbable mission and defend their top-flight crown.

  5. ‘Just Dec from Kingston!’ - Rice reacts to Ballon d’Or talk

    Declan Rice has delivered a typically humble response to claims that he is the “best midfielder in the world” and a serious contender for Ballon d’Or honours in 2026. The Arsenal and England star has become a crucial cog in engine rooms with club and country, leading to his lofty billing, and the 26-year-old is rightly proud of his standing alongside the global elite.

  6. Bellingham vs Yamal: adidas launches Predator vs F50 battle

    Jude Bellingham and Aitana Bonmati are locking horns with Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Trinity Rodman as adidas launches the Predator vs F50 battle and invites fans and players around the world to “choose one”. Two iconic boot designs are being reimagined for 2026, with superstar performers from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Miami and the USWNT already picking their sides.

  7. 'Dead money' - Barcelona & Real warned off Kane transfer

    Barcelona and Real Madrid have been warned off a move for Harry Kane, who has a £57 million ($77m) release clause in his contract at Bayern Munich, as they would be spending “dead money”. Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why the England international striker “gave away his aces too cheaply” when leaving Tottenham and the Premier League in 2023.

  1. Two goals & a penalty! USMNT star Aaronson left ‘devastated’

    Brenden Aaronson was left “devastated” after seeing Leeds suffer a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle, with the USMNT star scoring two goals and conceding a controversial penalty during an eventful outing at St James’ Park. The American midfielder is enjoying a positive run on an individual basis at the moment, but is being left frustrated by collective results.

  2. Lingard tipped for ‘last rodeo’ at Wrexham

    Jesse Lingard is being tipped for a “last rodeo” in British football alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac at Wrexham, with the former Manchester United star dropping into the free agent pool after reaching the end of his contract in South Korea with FC Seoul. The ex-England international could be added to an ambitious Premier League promotion-chasing project in North Wales.

  3. Logan’s father passes away after mid-show MOTD departure

    Gabby Logan was forced to vacate her Match of the Day presenting post mid-show on January 7, with it being announced that her father Terry Yorath has sadly passed away at the age of 75. Logan had fronted the latest broadcast of the BBC’s Premier League highlights package, but was replaced by Mark Chapman following a family emergency.

  4. ‘Completely stupid’ - Frank explains bizarre Arsenal cup mishap

    Thomas Frank has explained why he was bizarrely spotted drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The Dane, who is already seeing his position in north London called into question, risked incurring further the wrath of disgruntled supporters when being seen strolling around the Vitality Stadium with a drink that promoted Spurs’ fiercest rivals.

  5. Yamal told ‘real hurdle’ he must clear to emulate Messi & CR7

    Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been informed of the “real hurdle” that he needs to clear in order to scale the same heights as all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The talented teenager is already a global superstar, but a Champions League-winning former Manchester United striker has told the youngster that he must avoid off-field distractions in order for legend-making longevity to be enjoyed.

  6. 📽️ | Lehmann hits cameraman while recreating iconic video

    Alisha Lehmann inadvertently fired a wayward shot into an unsuspecting cameraman while recreating Ronaldinho’s iconic crossbar challenge. The Switzerland international, who now plays her club football in Italy for Como Women, is a clean striker of the ball. Not every effort can be struck perfectly, though, meaning that the odd apology and comforting hug has to be handed out.