Barton - No forgive and forget

Newcastle midfielder eager to let behaviour speak for itself

Last updated: 23rd October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Barton - No forgive and forget

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Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is now eager to let his behaviour speak for itself and insists he does not want to be told 'forgive and forget'.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Barton acknowledges that he has let people down, but is now keen to revive his reputation.

Barton made his return to action on Tuesday night in a reserve team clash with Middlesbrough after serving the six-match ban he received for admitting a Football Association charge of violent conduct against former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

The 26-year-old also served 74 days of a six-month prison sentence in Strangeways in the summer following an incident in Liverpool city centre in December last year.

Barton, who pleaded guilty to charges of assault and affray, has made only one appearance as a substitute for Newcastle since his release, but he could feature in this Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland.

And ahead of the trip to the Stadium of Light, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1, Barton acknowledges that he has let people down.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing and there will be people who would want to change things if they could," Barton told Sky Sports News. "We have all got skeletons in the cupboard.

Faith

"I probably have a few more things than the average person.

"I am not asking anyone to say, 'forgive and forget' because I can't condone the things that I have done.

"For me it is a case of putting everything to bed and repaying a lot of peoples' faith.

"From this day on I will try to live my life clean and rectify the mistakes I've made in the past."

Barton is also eager to stay out of the spotlight as he returns to action to let his on-field actions do the talking.

"Hopefully this interview will be the last interview I do for a while because I need to stop talking about what I'm going to do and how I'm going to do it - and do it," Barton added.

Mistake

"All I'm asking for is the chance to put right my wrongs.

"In some people's minds I will never be forgiven. But I know I am living my life clean.

"I have probably had more chances than anyone deserves, I am the first to admit that.

"I've never thought, 'I play football, I'll get another chance.' I have been fortunate that people have given me another chance."

Barton recognises that he will still make mistakes, but he is now hopeful that he will respond in a positive manner.

"Hopefully, there won't be any more. But I'm a human being and people will criticise things that I do.

"But for me the time is to draw a line under the things that I have done and let my behaviour speak for itself ."

Comments (15)

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Dean Darwood (Newcastle United fan) says...

Sell Barton. waste of money get out of toon

Posted 09:28 23rd October 2008

Chris W (Manchester City fan) says...

Now we hear Joey talking about how it was alcohol that blighted his life and made him do the things he does. That's the first we've heard of that excuse. Alcohol addiction is not to be made light of, and I find it offensive that Joey is now blaming his past actions on alcohol problems. His idea is, of course, that he can fashion himself yet another clean slate (because he is now 'sober') by blaming it on alcohol. However, Joey is indicative of some areas of society who cannot take responsibility for their own actions. Everything is someone or something else's fault. I might be a bit more believing if he actually apologised to Ousmane Dabo, the man he beat to a pulp in an unprovoked attack, but that has not been forthcoming at any stage. And what about the kid who Joey put out his cigar on his eyelid? What makes someone do that??? Joey is just a wrong'un, pure and simple, and that's never going to change.

Posted 09:12 23rd October 2008

Dave Wilding (Manchester United fan) says...

Its very frustrating to see someone like barton given another chance at football, still earning at least 60 grand per week, wen there are decent people in the world hu havent done any of the things he has done, and earn less and are less fortunate. however, his interview seems real, yet so did all the rest its hard to make a judjement on him, lets see in around 6 months, i fink we'l then know what sort of path joey is on good luck to him tho, a gud gud player

Posted 08:46 23rd October 2008

Anthony Van der wilg (Arsenal fan) says...

I won“t forget what he did or forgive. Who cares if he scores a lot of goals in the future. People can have arguments or a little fight but he went beyond that. And his family history is not helping him either, this sick behavior is in his blood. The people that forgive him are Newcastle fans. I will never forgive this from any player of my favourite club either.

Posted 08:21 23rd October 2008

Joe Orr says...

I have known Joe since we were kids he's had a few bad times of late but has kept his chin up and got through them, that just show's his character and strength, People make mistakes wether your a Footballer, 9 to 5 Job, even the royal family, he's learnt his lesson, know matter how much money he earns he is still human beeing so just let the lad do what he loves and does best play Football, shut them up Joe.

Posted 07:31 23rd October 2008

Will Moody (Leicester City fan) says...

Whilst I think Mr Barton has been a total pratt, who has got more than he deserves in life I do feel he should be given a chance. If I was Newcastle I would employ someone to work on his mind. His ability as a footballer is not in question, he was a very good player at Man City verging on an England place. He needs to get his temper sorted, if he was playing under 12's he would be coached better than he is now. If he acts like a child and has tantrums which is what his behaviour mounts up to he should be treated like a child. Dont treat him like a star, because he certainly doesnt act like one, however if he proves over the coming years to have changed his ways then we should use him to prove to others you can change and it is worth it.

Posted 05:53 23rd October 2008

Robert Ex scouser (Liverpool fan) says...

Barton is a disgrace to professional sport. His behaviour is no better than those who take drugs or throw games. Shame on Newcastle for maintaining him on their books.

Posted 05:50 23rd October 2008

Colin Brackenridge (Manchester United fan) says...

This fool doesn't deserve a second, third or fourth chance. Most of us remember Kinnear's other wack-job in Vinnie Jones. But the antics of Barton make Jones look somewhat tame. Throw Barton out of the league and let him flip burgers at the local Wimpy's.

Posted 02:17 23rd October 2008

Noel Lillis says...

I rather think Joey want to play football for Newcastle, not sit on the bench. There has been enough of them coming to the North East over the yrs.

Posted 00:50 23rd October 2008

Michael Henderson (Newcastle United fan) says...

I have never rated Joey Barton as a player, he has always seemed very confident in his own ability but has never lived up to it. He is not a Lampard or a Gerrard but i believe he has the potential to be a good player for Newcastle. He may not deserve another chance but if Kinnear wants to give him one i think he should wait until after the derby. I think any referee will be keeping a very close eye on him if he does play.

Posted 22:35 22nd October 2008

Michael Maughan says...

I'm not a Newcastle fan but I think that football fans are fickle when it comes to the real world, Joey is saying he does not want to be forgiven or indeed forgetton what he did, but I think that he could quite easily become a hero on tyneside if he pops up in the 93rd minute and scores the winner. He is a talented player but lets himself down with his mindless antics

Posted 22:15 22nd October 2008

Ryan Fardon (Arsenal fan) says...

It's all down to Joey now, he's been given ANOTHER shot, & its make or break time. Will he get picked on by footballers and the public? YES!!!! Is he big enough to stand up to it, i'm sure were gonna find out! I hope he can turn things around & become, a top class footballer & a born again role model to all!

Posted 21:06 22nd October 2008

Leigh Armstrong (Newcastle United fan) says...

I am supporting Joey 100%, he does owe a lot to the Newcastle fans and I know a lot of us are hoping he will repay us by showing his true potential. He has been punished for his crimes now let him get on with his life. Go on Joey show them what you can do, despite what the media has said, there are a lot of us right behind you. Howay the Lads!

Posted 20:53 22nd October 2008

Al Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

Best of luck to him, he's got talent, hopefully now he can get on with having the best job in the world.

Posted 20:35 22nd October 2008

Kevin Headley (Manchester City fan) says...

I think Barton has had too many chances. He was given so many at Manchester City, by two managers, Kevin Keegan and Stuart Pearce. Then Big Sam gave him another chance and so did Keegan again! If he was just another guy in the street, he would have had the book thrown at him. Barton seems to think he is some sort of super star when really he is an average premiership player and nothing more. I gladly supported him in the beggining but afer consistantly offending I think he should never play for a top flight team again. A guy who earns in excess of 50k a week should count his blessings a little more!

Posted 19:43 22nd October 2008
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