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Joey Barton

Joey Barton grew up in Huyton in the Knowsley area of Merseyside. As a child he attanded football matches and as a supporter of Everton FC. His favourite player was ex-Sunderland manager and target of many jokes by Newcastle fans, Peter Reid.

Joey has four brothers, his parents separated when he was 14. He states his grandmother helped him stay away from the drug culture in Huyton and his work ethic comes from his father.

Joey persued his dreams of playing professional football by joining Everton's youth team but he was released by the club and instead attended trials at Nottingham Forest who rejected him for being too small. Barton claims every rejection he suffered made him more determined to become a footballer.

Joey was taken on by Manchester City and trained for 12 hours a day for £72 per week. He gradually rose his way up the ranks and in 2002 he was set to make his debut against Middlesbrough but his shirt had gone missing after he left it on the substitutes bench, instead he made his debut against Bolton Wanderers on 5th April 2003. His first goal came two weeks later.

After impressing at City he was offered a new contract by City manager Kevin Keegan and began to feature more regularly in the first team. During 2003/2004 he received his first red card in controversial circumstances. with City losing 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at half time he argued with the referee and was dismissed despite the game not being in progress. City played the 2nd half with 10 men but remarkable managed to score four times and win 4-3.

Joey would then spark at 10 man brawl in a pre season friendly at Doncaster in July 2004 after hacking at a Doncaster player, he signed a new contract lasting until 2007 but the club considered sacking him just a few months later after a christmas party incident after stubbing out a lit cigar in youth player Jamie Tandy's eye. Joey claimed Jamie had tried to light his shirt on fire but apologised for his actions. He was fined a club record six weeks wages.

The following summer he was sent home from a pre season tour of Thailand after attacking a 15 year old Everton fan who had shouted abuse and kicked Barton in the shin. Team-mate Richard Dunen had to restain Joey from attacking the boy further.

In January 2006 he handed in a written transfer request which was rejected, the following day City rejected an offer Middlesbrough. A week later negotiations began over a new contract and singed a new four year deal.

More controversy arose when during a game with Everton, Joey scored an injury time equaliser and was subject to a torrent of abuse from Everton fans, his response was caught on camera. Joey pulled down his shorts and showed his backside to the Everton fans. He was fined £2000.

Bartons agent Willie McKay revealed in 2007 that Joey had a £5.5million release clause in his contract that would allow him to leave if any club made such an offer but he stated he was happy to stay with City.

Joey was called upto the full England squad in February 2007 despite his recent criticism of his new team mates. He accused the England squad of cashing in on the national teams lack of success after players, includign Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard released autobiographies. Barton is quoted as saying: "England did nothing in that World Cup, so why were they bringing books out? 'We got beat in the quarter-finals. I played like shit. Here's my book.' Who wants to read that?"

Joey's career at City came to an end on May 1st 2007 when he assaulted teammate Ousmane Dabo in a training ground incident. Dabo was hit several times and needed to go to hospital with head injuries including a detached retina. Barton was arrested for assault while City sold him to Newcastle United for £5.5million.

Bartons Newcastle debut was delayed due to a pre season injury at Carlisle United in which he damaged his hamstring, he would later on criticise Newcastle fans who showered abuse at the team and manager Sam Allardyce. Barton missed crucial Newcastle games in early January 2008, he spent the new year in prison after being charged with common assault and affray during an incident in Merseyside in late December.

Info

Full name: Joseph Anthony Barton
DOB: 2nd September 1982
Place of Birth: Knowsley, England
Height: 5ft 11in
Position: Centre Midfield
Signed from: Manchester City
Date signed: 14th June 2007
Debut: 22nd October 2007 v Tottenham Hotspur

Facts

Joey is good friends with boxer Ricky Hatton and also Oasis member Noel Gallagher.

His half brother, Michael, is currently serving 17 years in prison for the racially aggrivated murder of Anthony Walker.

Joey openly criticised England players for releasing autobiographies following their poor performances at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.