Some rather weird news is being reported today about Joey Barton, who is due to be sentenced today in Manchester.
 Joey Barton - will be sentenced today - but will he still have a job?
Barton admitted one charge of assault at his trial yesterday, occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) to former team mate Ousame Dabo, at Manchester City, and will now be sentenced today, with the maximum sentence for causing actual bodily harm being five years in prison.
However, there is news being reported in the Daily Mirror and the Shields Gazette, that Barton is hoping to be back at Newcastle United for the first day of pre-season training – which is this coming Monday.
Barton, who is currently serving 6 months in jail, on another separate charge, but could be released early for good beahvior, has refused to take a 50 per cent pay cut at Newcastle.
The reports this morning suggest that he is expected to be given a suspended sentence for the Dabo attack, which of course led to his exit from Manchester City last summer, when he moved to Newcastle for £5.8M, and a rather long 5 year contract.
Why we made it 5 years and not say only 2-3 years is beyond us. We knew he was potential trouble when we signed him, so why did we sign ourselves up for a potential 5 years of trouble? That’s the longest contract of anybody at the club, and seems rather strange.
And since Joey is already in jail for being found guilty on a similar charge, what’s the logic and justification in giving him a suspended sentence?
The Shields Gazette is also reporting that Barton was hopeful he would be released a little over a month into his current six-month sentence, on the condition he wore an electronic tag.
Barton wouldn’t be the first footballer to have to wear an electronic tag, since Jermaine Pennant had to wear a tag after a drunk driving conviction in January, 2005, while he was on loan at Birmingham City from Arsenal. But of course he still continued to play football.
It’s interesting that we’ve been linked with Jermaine this summer. The player is now at Liverpool of course.
The 25-year-old Barton is supposedly eligible for early release, and could be released as early as today, but that would be atrocious timing, given that he was found guilty only yesterday on an unrelated charge, and that training at Newcastle starts next Monday.
It would appear, and it could well be true, that things are being worked out nicely so Barton can start pre-season training at Newcastle next Monday - but that seems a little callous not to mention looking absolutely ridiculous.
If he was anybody else, like Joe Blow, working for ABC company, he would have lost his job long before now.
And the release yesterday of CCTV images of the street assault at 5:30am of December 27 in Liverpool, can hardly have enamoured him to owner Mike Ashley. He looks like a thug gone mad.
Make no mistake, over this last year, with Joey Barton at the club, he has hurt Newcastle United’s image around the world.
And as we reported late yesterday, we expect Newcastle to issue a statement, once the sentence has been passed on Barton today.
It’s a very tricky situation for the club, and one option looming large is that the club will just sack Barton, and maybe that will happen today.
But such an action would hardly help manager Kevin Keegan – on the playing side of things, since Keegan has already lost 7 first team players this summer, and is now 0-4 in going after top players, and the club still has to make our first signing of the summer.
But this is above that level, unfortunately for Kevin, because it’s about whether the club wants to risk even further damage in unwanted bad publicity, with Barton at the club.
There are also later reports today that once Barton is sentenced, a Newcastle inside source has said Newcastle’s plan is to sit down with Barton’s representatives, to discuss a way forward.
But we seriously doubt whether Barton can be trusted to behave himself in the future.
Comments welcome.
58 responses so far ↓
1 Leo // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:35
what a spawny little bstrd if this is the case
2 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:35
just seen the footage of the street fight, or should i say street pummeling from joey to the lad. Fair enough if the guy is talking s**t, then by all means teach him a lesson with a punch or two, but 20 punches is just barbaric considering the guy didn’t fight back. it would be ridiculous if he were to basically get away with the crimes he has committed.
3 geordiegraham // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:40
hes not fit to wear the shirt. SACK THE COWARD
4 Obafan // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:44
Doesn’t his face tells it all? I’m a bastard!
5 Taiwantoon // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:47
Ed, I think it would be very strange if we had signed a 2-3 years contract with him. After all, he has costed the club 5.8M and it is not a small amount. Thus it is only natural the club has made it 5 years.
The club decided to take a gamble with him, and result is disappointing. Against signing him from the first minute personally, and I am disappointed to be proved right.
6 Whitey // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:48
Does anybody know what time the sentence is?
7 Nev // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:52
im guessing he put his money were it was needed … A BLOODY GOOD LAWYER!!
i expect him to be back a week after pre-season starts and will shine under KK.
and i know my opinion will piss people off … but so what … other people piss me off so what the hell … isnt this what blogs are for?
8 dan // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:53
i thought the club put a clause in his contract covering their arse?????
9 Nev // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:53
whitey - inbetween 12-3ish probs
10 greg // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:53
spyro - where’s the footage of this? Link?
11 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:55
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/07/01/shocking-cctv-footage-of-joey-barton-attack-72703-21206625/
12 Kash2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:58
He’s obviously not gonna get sacked, and will probably have to wear this tag for ages and be on kerfew. I take it that tax payers money will be used to keep an eye on him!
He’s a nob, but a good footballer. Again, I’d rather not have people like him on the streets, but I don’t mind letting him loose on the football pitch!
13 Graham // Jul 1, 2008 at 10:59
A huge investment in any business may not work out may not work out.
this one has not so far but I can see only two ways forward
1.write him off (once you have done that there is no going back)
2.Motovate the player. Tell him we are cutting your wage, however we are increasing your bonus’ based on performance and games played. So if you work hard and trian / play well and keep your nose clean, you will not be out of pocket
I would say that he will have something to prove now anyway, but if he does not train hard and play well then he will be out of pocket.
If it does not work out, then write off the dept, at least you will have no regrets that way!!
14 hanzowen // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:00
oh just get rid of him. Forget him! Enough is enough! We need a few more midfield players so better act fast dearest mr. KK & MA.
15 Neil // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:01
So Ed let me get this right - Are you linking us with Joe Blow!!!!! I bet he’s great.
In all seriousness I am totally fed up of other clubs announcing signings galore and we don’t seem to be anywhere in the running. I think it just goes to show how important European football is to offer prospective players (Something which Portsmouth can even do now) when trying to sell the club. C’mon Joe Blow!!
16 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:01
he will never except his wages being cut graham, he wouldn’t even accept it just for the duration of his prison sentence.
17 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:02
I cant understand why people are so surprised at the Barton verdict or the fact he will be freed soon.
We live in BRITAIN…..
Drug dealers and burglars get away with suspended sentances at worst in this country because their not classed as violent, dangerous or persistant offenders. Murders are released early and there are very few who get LIFE!
Joeys a saint compaired to some of the scum on the streets……….(i know i’ll get stick for that comment, but i stand by it)
Remember Barton is NOT to blame for his early release or suspended sentance.
So yes be angry with him for bring shame to the club , but we knew what we were buying!
But you cant be angry with him for his early realease and shocking sentence today.
Welcome to Britain…..i really have to stop listening to John Gaunt!
18 Nev // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:03
he didnt get payed in prison … no one can … unless they the prison pimp lol
19 Graham // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:03
I know he would not like it, but the other option is a wage cut anyway. even at 1/2 wages he will be on more than any other team in the premiership will offer him.
And if he had to play in the championship…..
20 Spyro // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:05
oh right
21 sirjasontoon // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:07
It is a catch 22-we are clearly as a club not going to be bringing in anyone near the calibre of joey barton in this window so if he is available to play we have no option to play him.
All these rumours about the big signings since the end of the season are total bollocks and ashley is a tight fisted twat who will relegate us this season through sheer greed and lack of any ambition in the transfer market.
Even having the cheek to bump up season ticket prices to watch shit week in week out…shocking !!
22 dick // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:08
If he does get a suspended sentance it will be on the condition he gets into no more trouble. People will be winding him up all the time ,first bit of trouble he’ll be back in the slammer, which club is going to take that sort of risk apart from maybe the toon
23 gorskino10 // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:08
in the sun they have said we have sacked him and he should have a big wage cut or even a massive fine for these just dump the twat atleast we will save 50k a week.
24 Dannufc // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:09
Despite everything i still want him in the main line up next season and in the future he IS a good player!. Im positive hell come good for us. Maybe he isnt the best representative but i believe he wont ever play for a bigger club than us now. And that will give him the incentive to become the player he was. We now have one of the most boring midfields in the premiership (geremi, butt) and Joey with Emre sold shld be the Only one there thats if Keegan doesnt start playing Milner an Zog
25 Nev // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:09
The Entertainers - well said. this counrties judicial system is a complete joke. a lad i went school with got convicted of 5+ charges of burgalry and 2 on gbh … 2 years inside and was released after about 4-5 months. i would of gave him 4-5 years!
26 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:10
I cant see why Barton cant be paid for being in prison.
Hes done as much as the other Newcatle players since his sentance…..nowt.
Not saying its right, but Joeys timing has been spot on .
Season ends, players go on holiday, Barton visits Manchester!
Preseason starts, Joey gets released!
27 MAG PIE // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:10
Official website promoting player visits to schools as part of Creating Chances scheme. I hope the players need CRB checks to take part. It will cost NUFC to get rid of Barton but what’s right is right. He must go to save the club’s reputation.
28 Darryl // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:12
I’ll be glad to have him back. Who cares if hes got a bad rep. I don’t. Fits in to a mediocre club if you ask me.
Has a point to prove that he has still got it, give him till end of season.
29 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:14
The Entertainers, Joey Barton is both a violent offender and a repeat offender. I’d rather have a drug dealer living next to me, it would save me a lot of time…..
If Barton continues to launch into such violent attacks, how long before he does actually kill somebody?
Might sound a bit dramatic, but he clearly has no control over his temper, and you just never know what might happen when the red mist descends on him next time. There really is no defence that would convince me.
30 Hadji // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:15
How come i’m not that lucky to be there instead of the beaten guy.I would have wiped the floor with Barton….Seriously i would cause Barton knows how to pick his oponents,he would never ever go in a suicide mission.
31 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:20
The Entertainers, have you or any one else on the blog saw that e-mail going around about the American prison warden who treats his inmates as we should. Like criminals. They live in tents, have no TV, no gym facilities (why should they muscle up so they can more easily injure or kill people). Basic food and they all work on chain gangs, men and women. Basically its a prison no one wants to go back to which is how it should be. I don’t have the link but googling Texas (I think) prison warder or similar might get it.
32 paul the pom // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:25
cant really see how barton is going to run out in front of 52,000 for the first home game or 68,000 at old trafford,even if he is released and has a full pre-season.if all fans react the way thjey have on this blog,he will get tortured.which is no good for nufc.we signed barton after the dabo incident and gave him 60 grand a week for 5 years,so you cant persecute him for this incident.WE ARE TO BLAME.WE LET THE CLUB SIGN HIM AND WE ALL CHEERED HIM.the incident in liverpool happened after a night on the town after an altercation with fat sam and being dropped.we knew we were signing a player with alcohol and anger problems.since that day keegan has said he is a different person and is willing to stand by him and i cant see that changing.the answer lies with mike ashley.is he prepared to stick with him as he has done since xmas or will he bow to the pressure of the media and most of the public and sack him.if it was 6 mill of my money riding on it i would be sticking by him and giving him proper support.if we sack him we are not solving anything.
33 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:26
@ Davies
You can keep your drug dealer mates pal..lol
I know Barton is violent and a repeat offender, this may have played a part in the prison sentence.
My point is why are we surprised at the lack of time behind bars, when burglars are roaming the street and your wannabe neighbours selling kids crap.
I bet you penny to a pound the lads Joey filled in were filth and were there just to wind him up. Its not an excuse, but the lad has anger problems, drink problems and is out with family when he comes across these lads.
We dont know the circumstances and my comments may be further from the truth, we just dont know. But you obviously show great resilience, must be the happy baccy your getting from your neigbours …..lol
34 Len // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:30
The fact is non of us have any idea if he refused to take a 50% pay cut or not. The club have not said a thing which is a most welcome change. I am happy to wait until there is some actual news not just speculation based on some tripe from the Sun or little Willie McK.
35 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:31
@ Bill
I think i have seen that prison on some Sky channel.
Is it the one where they make the prisioners wear pink underwear!
36 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:32
Come to think of it, i wonder if thats is why Newcastles new away shirt is bloody purple!
37 steve // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:38
We cannot cut his wages - he is contracted to play for Newcastle for 5 years at 60k a week.
Bartons aware that we don’t have a legal leg to stand on with regards to cutting his wages without his full agreement.
I don’t really think he’s that bothered what the press / fans think
He’ll never change his ways - especially if he’s hanging around the same friends and family he was with when beating up that kid, they seem a lovely lot
38 Neil // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:40
Dear Ed,
Some years ago I was teaching at a Leeds school when the Woodgate saga divided the staffroom. He sullied the name of football and the reputation of his club.
Our board have an opportunity to lift us out of the quagmire we have been in over recent years by terminating his contract and holding on to his registration.
It is time to take a stand, do the right thing, show the youngsters we understand about sensible behaviour.
Regards,
Neil
PS. I’m the original Neil. Who is this Joe Blow Neil?
39 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:41
@ Steve
I’m not sure about this but:
If Joey does not turn up on Monday with the rest of the squad does he not breach his contract. Therefore we can sack him or restructure his contract?
I just dont know!
40 Mitch H // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:50
Never read so much shite in my life.
The geeza bounced up to barton giving it loads of mouth, so what, he got a few slaps & they looked well deserved.
The little mug had been mouthing off for a full10 mins inside the Mickey D’s before that too.
I’ve seen our lass punch harder than what he got.
I really hope Joey stays, i’ll be wearing his name & number if he does.
For all you saints posting, come & live in the real world for a bit, coz this type of shite happens every weekend, in every town across the country.
It aint good, but its life. He serves his time, then the slate is clean.
If he does it again & gets nicked, he go away, again. Joe’ys choice. If he stays away from the drink & focusses on his footie, we have a hell of a good box to box player, thats whats important to me. NUFC winning football games.
41 The Entertainers // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:54
@ Mitch
i still dont know what to think
But your rant does have a lot of sense included
42 Mitch H // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:04
listen mate, if your working class & young, thats what life is like. Young men have always fought.
Its not good i know but its the way things are.
Joey aint the greatest human ever to grace the planet, but he’s not a evil monster either.
I know the lad does a great deal for dis-advantaged kids & stuff. I also know his mates think the world of him, when he’s sober.
Trouble is, Joey seems to lose the plot after a few bevvies.
I just want the lad to sort himself out. Try to be a better lad with each day, & most of all, play his heart out for our club.
We’ve been taking it in the neck from the media, other fans for too long & i wanna see this club perform the way our fans deserve.
SJP is the best place in the world when we play passionate attacking football & i just want that back ASAP !
43 Ross // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:16
such a shame that on the opening day of the transfer window we’re releasing statements regarding one of our jailed squad members as opposed to statements regarding exciting new players joining the ranks.
44 Davies // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:20
Sorry Mitch. He’s scum. If I can walk away from some gobsh1te after a few beers, so can anyone else. If they can’t then they shouldn’t drink, and they know it. Don’t try to defend Barton by saying it’s what blokes do, it’s not, it’s what stupid drunken w@nkers do. Anyone defending this little tw@t needs their head checking.
If it was your son, or your little brother that Barton repeatedly, and mercilessly punched, even after he went down, you’d be singing a different song. If it had been your teeth that had been knocked out, you’d be baying for his blood, and would be only too happy for the little b@stard to be locked up.
There are better midfielders available to Newcastle United than Joey Barton, who are human beings, not scum.
45 Ross R // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:20
Good point Mitch. He might be an arse off the feild but the form he started to show under KK towards the end of last season, do we really have the squad to be able to do without him.
I dont think so, not at the moment. If we get quality cover then get rid.
46 AngerOfTheNorth // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:40
Guys, the club won´t have had to pay him a penny. He´s been in jail all summer so will have been unable to fulfill any contractual obligations (whether he´d have been asked to do anything over summer or not). He also brought his employer´s name into disrepute. The club can sack him as and when they like and he hasn´t a leg to stand on. They´ll keep hold of him even if they want rid simply so that they can get a fee for him - why let him do that and then let him make a mint by becoming a free agent? They may as well leave him to rot in the reserves…
Still, I personally believe that as he´s currently a menace to football and society as a whole, we should try to help him turn over a new leaf. As his current club, where he is settled, we´re best placed to do that. Otherwise he´ll just go out and do the same again.
As for him playing for the club, there are bigger things than winning games.
47 ObaFan2 // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:48
Mitch, just because violence is part of every day life for some it doesn’t make it right !!!!!!!!!!
48 Frankieboy // Jul 1, 2008 at 12:55
The F?*+King thug is trying anything and everything to lessen the burden and sentence on himself. All he is bothered about is himself and couldn’t give a shit about the club or anything else
49 ende // Jul 1, 2008 at 13:39
“Make no mistake, over this last year, with Joey Barton at the club, he has hurt Newcastle United’s image around the world.”
OH GIVE ME A FLYING BREAK. Our ‘image’ will be better served by placing silverware in SJP than any attempt at trying to maintain our precious image. It’s all bollocks, and everyone claiming otherwise is a pretentious fraud. The only fact that matters is that Joey will be a valuable part of our midfield next season… and that’s it. End of story.
Any of you actually seen the video of his assault? The other guy was throwing fists too… this isn’t like Joey was eating babies or something. Mitch is absolutely right. For better or worse, he’s wor Joey. So please, let’s cut it with this pretentious ‘image’ crap.
50 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jul 1, 2008 at 13:52
The Entertainers, yep thats the one.
51 BennAllen // Jul 1, 2008 at 14:09
we all knew what we were getting into when he signed for us. i think hes the best midfielder weve got and i hope he stays. if he does and he has a trouble free season or more putting in some excellent performances .. most of you lot will pretend that you wanted him to stay all along. your all jokes.. xx
52 BennAllen // Jul 1, 2008 at 14:14
what you seem to be forgetting is all this happened in 2007.. hes turned a new leaf over and with the help of keegan, nufc and that rehab place.. i think it has changed him.. you can see it in his football.. hes just paying the price for what has happened last christmas and what happened over a year agoo!!
53 ende // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:03
Video, btw: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/CustomPages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=74015§ionID=15008
Pretty funny. It’s not even like Joey was the only one, all those girls were attacking the guy too. I would not be surprised if the guy deserved it.
54 mikeygd // Jul 1, 2008 at 15:09
i’ve read alot of the comments and changed my mind about it so many times but after watching the tape and the comments about his teeth being knocked out i want rid of him. And those worrying about losing a good footballer and him not being replaced then thats just being selfish Newcastle should do the right thing and thats get rid, hes only gna get booed every game neways even if he scored a hatrick hed still be booed coz hes scum.
55 Leo // Jul 1, 2008 at 20:36
ehem why are people constantly saying he is our best midfielder… i rate milner and nzogbia higher than him and thats before my personal views of him
56 normski1930z // Jul 1, 2008 at 20:43
joey knows hes gonna get booed so what thats nothing new if and only if he can rise above it he will be a better player for it, everybody booed cantona and look at what he did….
57 Leo // Jul 1, 2008 at 23:28
me myself i love spending timebehind bars
and on the other side of the bar too, either way its a good laugh, one side you get to drink alcoholic beverages and dance and have a giraff with your mates
on the otherside you get paid to have a laugh with your mates and you dont wake up in the morning with a hangover
TOP DOGGY SANDWICH
oh wait i have totally misunderstood the article again
58 Toon1 // Jul 2, 2008 at 0:48
Watched the vid and the guy looked like he deserved it. He was dancing in front of Joey looking like he wanted a fight. You dont even know what was said.
You have to remember with Joey’s rep and stuff about his brother he will get a lot of shit all the time.
I am 100% behind him and I also think he is our best midfielder which I know for a fact we have not seen the best of yet.
He will get boo’d by sections for a while but most the fans will be behind him I think
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