For Joey Barton, last night’s game against West Brom was just a taste of what redemption might feel like. But for neutral fans around the country, it was a cause for more conflicting emotions.
Many casual fans believed that, after his criminal conviction earlier this year, Barton should have been hung out to dry by the footballing community. Even inside the game, many of those in power were more than prepared to turn their backs on the former Manchester City midfielder.
Yet, even in the face of a media maelstrom, Newcastle United stood by Barton—giving him yet another chance to actually make something of the great talent he evidently holds.
Last night, in his first start since emerging from prison and subsequently serving an FA ban for a separate indiscretion, Barton finally began to repay the faith and support the club had shown in him.
That he put in a man of the match performance was cause enough for celebration amongst the Newcastle fans, but the fact that he topped it off with a crucial penalty was even more encouraging.
At great cost to their public reputation, the club can now begin to look forward to seeing a return on the £5 million they paid for the player, back in June 2007.
"Obafemi Martins was supposed to be the penalty taker but Joey just grabbed the ball," said manager Joe Kinnear, after he saw his side move out of the bottom three with the win.
"He wasn't on penalties and he'd have been in trouble if he'd missed, but fair play to him, he's obviously a very confident lad. Joey's on fire in the dressing room now.
"He stuck it away well and he's trying to prove a point—all he wants is to play football and be given a chance."
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2 months ago
Nice stuff Alex....
I admit to been on the anti-Barton brigade for the most of last year but in all fairness if that guy keeps his head down and just plays football of course he deserves another chance and the opportunity to prove himself, everyone is allowed to make mistakes (unless you work for the BBC :-P)
I actually think Kinnear could be good for Newcastle & Barton??
from 2 months ago
I am sorry but i have to disagree vehermently with the comment that Joey Barton deserves another chance! Have you seen the CCTV footage of him beating a guy senseless in the street - smashing him repeatedly round the head as he was actually trying to get away. He could have killed that guy... but he is really good at football so we should give him the opportunity to earn disgusting amounts of money - this guy is supposed to be a role model for young kids - i think it is disgusting that he has been allowed to play professional football again, he is a vile human being, and with his families history i think we know it isnt likely to be a phase he is going through. Not to mention attacking a team mate or putting a cigar out in a youth players eye.... how can this guy be defended......
Sorry for the aggression in my writing but this is probably one of the things that riles me more than anything in football today....
from 2 months ago
I was like you up to about a week ago T but it doesn't matter what we say because the FA took the decision not to ban him so might as well give him another chance and hope he redeems himself. Don't get me wrong, I don't like him but throwing coins at him ain't going to help either.
from 2 months ago
I agree with you Mary - I did absolutely hate Barton's guts, but at the end of the day he has now served his legal and professional punishment, and Newcastle have given him the chance to make amends for his past errors.
We should at least give him the chance to prove himself, before we condemn him again.
2 months ago
Already pointed out by T... but I in general don't like seeing players earn 120k a week so why on earth should Joey Barton earn just about the same amount?
Don't be sorry its disgraceful that he's still on the field.
from 2 months ago
Whilst I understand footballers earn a lot of money in comparison to the average joe on the street very few footballers earn anywhere near 120k a week.
It infuriates me to see people often making this rationalization that all footballers earn astronomical sums of money.
from 2 months ago
ok.... 50 grand a week is that better?
2 months ago
I agree with most people here.. I don't like Barton and I simply don't understand what he's doing on a football pitch playing professional football.
How many people with a job can do what he's done and remain in the same job? I'm not so sure.
He's supposed to be a role model as a footballer, and for whatever reason the only thing he's been able to do is build a reputation as a thug.
Maybe Newcastle will give him 5 more chances.
from 2 months ago
I can see where you are coming from Shyam, but tend to feel that - having been given another chance - we should at least give Barton the opportunity to take advantage of it. And if Newcastle sacked Barton, or he was kicked out of football, what would happen to him? He would probably be back into trouble, beating more people to within an inch of their lives.
At least while he is part of Newcastle, the club can at least attempt to protect him from more criminal activity. You outcast him, the likelihood is surely he commits more heinous crimes. So maybe the club have been more socially responsible than many give them credit for.
from 2 months ago
I read an interesting interview with Pessotto (Juventus) at the weekend and he said based on his own personal problems that football can be a good way for Barton to get his life back together, he said that Barton must obviously be a bit mental and throwing coins and insults is no way of curing it. Besides by the crowd throwing stuff at Barton they are bringing themselves down to his level.
from 2 months ago
I'll revert back to my argument - if this were any other job, Barton would be out of work.
If he committed crimes then, it would be upto the police to catch him and throw him in jail.
Social responsibility is saving the guy once, maybe twice - but Barton has had too many second chances IMO..
2 months ago
well at least he's in the headlines for the right reasons now eh?
2 months ago
Good luck Joey, as long as you keep performing for NUFC and delivering the goods the Toon Army will be right behind you.
from 2 months ago
Great comment Chris, that is exactly the reaction I got when I was with the Supporters Club (London branch) for the Sunderland match. If he keeps his nose clean and also performs on the pitch - why shouldn't the fans support him?
from 2 months ago
I think that NUFC although in my opinion wrong, have to be credited with admirable patience with the guy.... however would they do the same if he wasnt such good player?? i think not! he is being backed because NUFC are struggling and need all the good players they can get, which underlines the horrible state of football today - money greed and winning are more important than morals, sportsmanship and simple human deceny. I think if it was a player they wanted to get rd of they would have used him as an example of how they are a family club and wont accept that type of behaviour.
2 months ago
One final point that noone mentions is that joey barton carries out that same behaviour on the pitch - if anyone has seen the "tackle" which put pedro mendes out for about three months, Barton scrapes his studs down mendes' achillies in a completely deliberate act - you see rash tackles all the time but not too often an act so deliberate as to cause a player long term damage. If i was a NUFC fan i would be embarressed to be supporting the guy.
I support Chelsea and yes i am extremely embarressed by the way Drogba acts (and am constantly screamingat him to "get up!" or the dissent ashley cole shows weekin week out - i think in general players need to be held a little more responsible for the things they do and the reputation they are bringing fotball - for the first time ever i am starting to see amateur players diving and feigning injury... what are things coming to????
2 months ago
Alex-
Great article...Hopefully Barton can erase his checkered past, and just start performing on the field.
Nice job!
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