Barton walks free and is ready to regroup with his team-mates
Joey Barton walked free today from prison and with a four month suspended sentence and the chances are he could be back in training for day one of pre-season next week.
After a dramatic day Toon fans woke up to the news that Barton had actually been sacked but this proved to be unfounded as the hours ticked by.
In fact it turns out Barton is still employed by United but ready to face crisis talks with Kevin Keegan and new managing director Derek Llambias.
Exactly where this leaves the player that United signed for ÃÂã5.8million over 12 months ago remains to be seen.
But certainly with Newcastle already lacking in numbers and yet to make a confirmation on players to come in, Barton is probably a serious contender to start the season in the position he ended it in.
Newcastle manager KK had already warned Barton this was his last chance when he arrived at the club and the player has actually kept his nose clean from that time with all the other controversy over the summer coming from his past life at Man City or under Sam Allardyce.
A loan move to Bolton has been mentioned today but as yet the club refuse to make a further statement until the crisis meeting takes place.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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He's gotta go.
Never mind the Dabo charge, he let himself and the club down last December, for that he should be sacked.
Joey Barton... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Tells you a lot about justice and the state of football in this country.
We should never have bought him and we should be looking for a genuinely creative midfielder to replace him (and Emre) and more of a holding midfielder, like Butt (but one who can play the full 90 and pass).
Having seen the video footage of Bartons assault on a defenceless young man, he should be sacked immediately. I do not want to take my Grandson's (aged 5 and 7), to watch thugs. Didn't we have enough with Bowyer and Dyer? It's not as though he's made any sort of a positive contribution to the cause, what's happened to the beautiful game?
If he's retained, he'll be a target for every Premiership player, trying to goad him into a reaction, not very helpful for the team! Time to do the right thing King Kev, see him off before he undermines your teambuilding efforts!
Tangerine Toon
It seems that most if not all of this once great clubs problems on the transfer/troublesome player front in recent times have been caused by Clients of Willie Mc.If the club were to no longer deal with this man I would imagine that a lot of the strife we seem to entangle ourselves in could be avoided.Major Sigh.Hopefully a signing or three can lift the gloom that envelopes us at the moment
Newcastle United needs to end this kind of behaviour once and for all. Cancel his contract and send him packing. Hes a disgrace. We should not have signed him in the first place. How many last chances does this guy need? Newcastle United does not need Joey Barton.
I rated this guy at city, he gave some good performances that got him into the england squad but his mentality is not right. He is a liability and chances are he will go on to commit further offences in the future.
He was terrible when he played for us last season. I would like to get rid of him but feel with the minute squad we have and are likely to still have come next season, he'll still be around.
KK maybe able to get his playing side up again but Kev cant be with him allday everyday. Hes had enough chances over the years to change his character why should we give him another.
It might be a little strange, but the thumping of a teammate doesnâ≢t bother me, as back in the seventies and eighties, lets just say it happened.
I also said that Joey Barton could do with being captain and should be forgiven for what heâ≢s done at a previous club and should be allowed to continue his Newcastle career.
Well Iâ≢ve now seen the footage (Youtube) and now retract everything I said- this guy has GOT TO GO. The assault in Liverpool city centre was ridiculous and personally the judge needs to look at himself and ask himself, what would someone like Joey Barton have to do to get an outright sentence.
We all know the law goes easy on the criminal in this country in this day and age, so the suspended 4 months doesnâ≢t surprise me in the least. I thought the fact that heâ≢s had previous form with attacking people (And stubbing cigars in peoples eyes and clipping a young kid who wound him up) would stand him in pretty bad ground, but not so.
He got a strong punishment for the Liverpool incident and near nowt for the Manchester City affair, personally I donâ≢t see the difference between the two except that one was against a member of the public and one was against a footballer.
The club is weighing up itâ≢s options and is to hold ââ¬ÃÂCrunch talksâ≢ with Barton and his advisors about ââ¬ÃÂwhat to do nextâ≢
The answer to this is very simple, Newcastle United put up with Dyer and Bowyer and let them off.- This canâ≢t happen in this case, Joey Barton has had his chance many times over and canâ≢t be given another one by Newcastle United
Let somebody else take a pot-shot on him, just get rid, by any means possible.
Paul.
we have no option but to get rid now cut our losses.we gave him a chance and he blew it.the club needs to set an example especially to our younger fans that the club is against what joey done.no small fine while still picking up 50k a week,no keep your head down and will blow over just sack the idiot now.the pity is someone is going to get a very good player on the cheap
This is the worst case hooliganism, that I can recall, in 65 years a supporter.There can be no other judgement, than to dismiss him; on grounds of gross misconduct.What an example to set our young impressionable supporters. This makes the famous DYER/BOWYER case, look like TOM & GERRY.
JUST CUT OUR LOSSES & GET RID NOW !!!
If we retain BARTON; then our squad is in a worse condition than previously thought. There will be clubs out there who will tollerate him and take a calculated risk.
no way he should go ,if we had a few morew fighters like him we would win the league roll on the makems
Barton off the hook, eh?
Well, i disagree with violence from the very start, but Barton's attack was caused by heavy-hot tempered stupidity, almost as much as Roy Keane, Rooney and some others. Like others, they should be given another chance.
But don't get me wrong. I, too, do not sympathetic with criminals who punch blood out of the faces of innocent men but Barton, like other criminals, deserve another chance and one last chance is all I offer him as a supporter.
He needs a little discipline, and KK will provide for him. As we know, Barton grew up in a very tough area and was assumed to have the 'fight' in his veins. With the right utilization, that 'fight' can be turned into a deadly, legal aggressiveness in the field.
One more chance, Barton. Like Bob Moncur , One more chance; do or die.
He's an absolutely disgusting individual who should never have been signed in the first place (thank you very much, Fat Sam) and should certainly have been fired with extreme prejudice following his second vicious attack.
I'd sooner see Roy Keane turn out in a toon shirt than this nasty little piece of work.
Yet another embarrassment for our once reputable club; on this form, I can see us flogging Milner and buying Pennant.
The fact this loathsome little boy is leaching more money in a week from Newcastle United than most decent, loyal, fans make in about 3 YEARS, combined with his utter mediocrity on the pitch brings bile my to mouth.
get lost barton!!
lets all be honest now for a second!! yes he done wrong, very wrong but at the end of the day is a business man really going to throw away 6million quid??? fair enough we will save money on wages and so forth but then you have to replace mr barton and that will again cost more money. So lets get on with it and hope his little spell in jail has sorted him out and he can get back to the form he showed at city!
Barton has had his chances and is a very lucky little boy not to spending further time behind bars - instead of in front of them.
His presence in the Newcastle squad is an affront to supporters of this great club and city.
He will be a target for every other headbanger in the League and sadly an idol for every "headbanging supporter"
On yer bike Joey and pollute somewhere else.
George Best (NI and Man U), drink driving - several times, aggravated assault on a woman, imprisoned, aoabh on a woman, dui, assault on a police officer, criminal damage.
Peter Storey (England and Arsenal),
Duncan Ferguson (Newcastle and Scotland),
These guys were all forgiven - Bestie especially - they were given another chance - Barton brought some luggage with him and it may take time to help get rid of his bad ways. What he has ldone is no worse than some idiots I've witnessed in Newcastle city center on a Friday and Saturday night. Give the guy a break.
I thought Sam was making a mistake buying him, but thought OK it's a chance for a new start. He was welcomed here, got a good press, but let the club, the man who bought him and himself down with that attack last Christmas. It isn't just he gets into fights, the pattern seems to be of quite vicious attacks and continuing to hit someone when they are down & even unconscious. He's not fit to be at NUFC.If we keep him what message does it give to young fans, prospective signings and decent professionals in the current squad?
Is Dave Mac a Judge? Sounds like he has the same lenient view that the chap dealing with Barton's latest trial had.
No doubt that Barton needs help but not at NUFCs expense - let the PFA assist him.
Barton has a fantastic talent. Yes he has done bad in the past. everyone makes mistakes not even footballers are perfect. i think he will come back a better player. with a little help from kk he could be a legend for the toon. forgive him people forgive him
Since KK has been in charge he has had his behaviour in check, I think he showed disgraceful behaviour in assaulting the Lad in Liverpool, But he has served his punishment for that, he`s done his time and I do not think you can continue to punish somebody for a mistake they have made in the past. The bowyer dyer nonsense wasn`t great and was also in full view of the public yet neither went to jail, Duncan Ferguson was locked up for GBH, We still signed him?
I agree we should never have signed him, but we have and now he has served his time and faced up to his punishments I dont think its right to punish him somemore.
Going forward I think Joey Barton needs to release a statement apologising to the victim, and then the fans and the club he has let down.Then lets draw a line under things and get on with the season.
Sack him! After watching that shocking video, he could actually take up boxing, but then his fists legally become lethal weapons if used outside of the ring. Then again, other boxers would fight back and he wouldn't be allowed to bludgeon them on the ground. What a piece of unwelcome bad-press again, just as we were looking forward with great anticipation to a new season and exciting new signings. Good idea Lee, putting a youtube on of the new kid, can't remember his name though, and I can't be bothered to open up another tab
The issues surronding Joey Barton's contract, wages and loss of a potential transfer fee must not be allowed to cloud the moral judgements and deliberation in the decision over his future as a newcastle united football player. We have, let us not forget, wasted obscene amounts of money in the past on underperforming players and I for one would not blink at terminating Joey Bartons contract and would accept the monetary loss in this saga as just another to add to the history pile of failed overated, overpaid players from previous years. Regardless of his performances on the pitch which in my opinion have been average, I dont think many fans would now be able to accept Joey Barton at Newcastle United. His disgraceful behaviour has yet again tarnished the image of Newcastle United Football Club which let us not forget represents and reflects the people and the area of Tyneside. Will the board make a financial or moral judgement?....Lets us wait and see.
Didn't Tino allegedly get involved in some 'shooting' incident before joining us but most Toon fans just thought it comical?
Didn't Gazza beat his wife black and blue (and was involved in many other incidents) but most Toon fans would still have him being involved with the club in some capacity - even working with the kids?
Yes, what Barton has done is nasty, but if he had the personality/character of Tino or Gazza, or been a Geordie, would Toon fans think differently of him?
He's been tried and punished.
KK said as a Newcastle player he'll support him 100%.
He's in Rehab.
Done his time. (sort of)
I'd say he was on a final written warning and in the last chance saloon.
He's worth ÃÂã6million, coming back from a pre-pre-season in HMP Walton.
Can't see him being sacked. It would have already happened.
Bring on Man U.
After reading everyones comments, I strongly totally agree. Therefore for total support to all our fans i have now decided NOT to renew my season ticket. Newcastle are too soft and we have been the laughing stock of the prem' and Country. Why does it take the fans comments to get anything done at this club...!!!! Please KK and BOD just uphold his contract and sack him.
Barton should be shown the door.
He denied assaulting Dabo right up to the last minute when he realised he would not get a custodial sentence,showing he was prepared to lie to save his skin again.
Presumably he was also telling NUFC management that he was not guilty of this offence prior to his purchase and through the changes in managers.
I know United have a financial commitment here but they must realise that this bloke is an even bigger liability. He will not sell any shirts or boost the attendances.
He has to go!!!!
i think the cctv footage was a disgrace punching someone like that he should have more sense then to do tht and he is meant to be a professional and kids that idolise him will think if he can get away with it they can so they may copy but up to club what they do but need to make a decision quick before season starts
I wasn't keen when Allardyce went after him, but, as with everyone we sign whether I'm enthused or not, I was prepared to give him a chance and hoped to be proven wrong.
He hasn't shown he was worth nearly ÃÂã6m, and even more importantly, he hasn't shown that he warrants a wage of ÃÂã60k per week. Exactly which planet the management were on when they gave him that contract is beyond me, and that's looking at him solely as a footballer.
Overview:
- Under-performing in job role;
- Imprisoned for assault & affray while awaiting trial for another assault charge (against a co-worker);
- Unavailable for work due to terms of bail & subsequent imprisonment;
- Pleading guilty to original assault charge and given suspended sentence;
- Declining offer to remain employed on 50% wages;
If someone can give me any employer or profession where the above list wouldn't result in an employee being sacked, I'd love to hear it. As professional footballers they have MORE responsibility, yet nowadays it seems like they're entitled to less.
I don't like being negative or knocking people, but I just feel he's a ticking timebomb of problems and negativity, not least of which will detract and distract from the important on-the-field issues.
Realistically, what I'd suggest is to offer him the 50% cut again. If he rejects it then it shows he's not interested in rebuilding his career at the highest level available to him. If he wants to try and get more than ÃÂã30k per week elsewhere, I'll pay for his taxi to Bolton or wherever. Then we can use the ÃÂã60k on at least one, probably two better players and better influences in the club.
Dave Mac - how does the fact that we witness people fighting on the streets on a Friday and Saturday night in Newcastle legitimise violence from a player who is receiving ÃÂã60,000 a week? It's a great shame to see a very good player (in my opinion) behaving like this but a line has to be drawn. Barton needs a to learn a harsh lesson in control and discipline. Seconds chances? He's already had them in my book. I can't believe how anyone can condone or make excuses for this type of aggression.
He should have gone in January.
Newcastle united should be a club of decency and principles. I can't imagine Kevin's previous squad being built around thugs like this - Beardsley, Rob Lee...?
Barton is a walking bomb that will explode again and will shatter what tatters of a reputation the club has after keeping him on. Get rid of him now and let someone else wear the shirt.
I am totally ashamed to see my club act in this way over Barton. I am absolutely astounded there is any debate within the eschelons of power at St James Park as to what happens next - there is no need for 'crisis talks', the thug should be instantly dismissed for gross misconduct. The Club should cut their losses, at least by sacking him they can save about ÃÂã15M wages, as he can have no grounds for complaint. The Club can retain his registration and hope Big Sam gets another job so he can sign him up and we might get some compensation.
In any other job he would be sacked and lets not forget his current jail sentence was for a violent attack during his tenure at Newcastle.
If you remember, he did a TV interview with Gabby Logan where Gabby asked him about the (then) upcoming trial and suggested that if he was found guilty he could go to jail and Barton said "I don't care. It doesn't scare me at allââ¬?.
Well, I care as a supporter, I pay my bloody hard-earned cash to a club that forked out ÃÂã5.8m for his services and his attitude shows no regard for the investment Newcastle made in him or any consideration for the supporters. He just wants to come across as being ââ¬ÃÂhardâ≢ - what a moron!
I heard the comment â∠ÂIf Barton could control his temper he would be a fantastic playerââ¬? this is just the same as saying if Harold Shipman didnâ≢t kill his patients he would have been a great doctor!
I have been a regular supporter since the early 70's, through thick & thin but if Barton stays at this club, one purchase I will not be making is a season ticket for '08/'09. I will not go to another game until he has gone, I feel that strongly and I know of a number of other season ticket holders who feel the same way.
everybody in manchester and liverpool knows what an undisireble barton is.
what a stroke of luck for city when they palmed him off on you geordies.
did something not "click" when stuart pearce a man nicknamed "psycho" could not handle him.
mark molloy......manchester.
I can't believe 'Gary' can suggest a link between a cowardly act like attacking a defenceless kid in Liverpool and commitment on the pitch. I just hope he is being ironic, if not then he is deluded.
Shearer gave 100 percent every single time he played for our club, you never saw him laying into someone on Northumberland Street.
Let's be absolutely clear here, we are sick of our club being in the centre of this type of publicity. It's hardly any wonder we have gone from being everyone's second team to the team everyone loves to knock and most people would like to see relegated. Players like Barton, Woodgate, Dyer and Bowyer have turned us into a laughing stock.
We need to get rid of Barton NOW. I fear this won't happen as football is a business, blah, blah blah.
But I agree with the posts above when you actually see the footage it brings home how much of a yob he is. And he is a professional athlete! At that time of night he should be in bed resting not beating someone about the head.
I just hope we have the courage to set a precident and get rid of him now. Most people caguht doing that would get sacked immediately (I know I would) so why should he be any different?
And don't even get me started on the pathetic state of our justice system. Barton should be doing a two year stretch with his previous!
Like the majority of the comments I want rid of this thug from Newcastle - both Club and City.
My fear is that KK, who I think is brilliant, strangely appears to be supporting him. I hope his misguided support doesn't result in a backlash against KK and the Club - cut your losses and get rid this bloke NOW.
Think again KK and take note of what the fans are saying
Get rid of Barton,keep Barton? We all know,there is often problems in training. Look what happend at Newcastle when those two idiots fought on the pitch. What happend when he beat that guy up was a disgace. It happens all over the country when you have had to much to drink and some one say what they should not say. Give him a chance,as a condition,he talks to kids tell them where he has gone wrong and what football is all about.If not. Sack him.
Sell him to Hull! For nowt if necessery!
In general its better if people who have offended can resume their working lives. If they're penalised by having the ability to earn a living removed then no-one benefits.
This guy has burnt his bridges though: put cigars out in people's eyes, hit people in the head numerous times while they're on the floor, knocked a 16 year old's teeth out, and trhis latest incident.
Surely too bad an influence in the dressing room.
Sack him and let him go and get a normal job.