Barton's record

"Barton's career has so far been punctuated with disciplinary problems. His club considered sacking him after an incident at a Christmas party where he poked a cigar in junior player Jamie Tandy's eye. The following summer Barton was sent home from a pre-season tournament in Thailand after becoming involved in a fight with a young Everton fan, and also saw an altercation with team-mate Richard Dunne which resulted in Dunne injuring his foot after kicking a wall in anger. These incidents resulted in Barton undergoing anger management therapy at the request of Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce and paying out £120,000 in club fines. On 13 March 2007, Joey Barton was arrested on suspicion of criminal assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool, while going to his hotel after a match."

Imagine if your record was like that - would your employers still be falling over themselves to keep you?

Posted By: Old Git, May 1, 17:05:12