Joey Barton: Just Another Football Hooligan

For years the English game has been tarnished by the behaviour of some of our more yobbish football fans. Clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Millwall, Tottenham, Arsenal have had problems with hard line hooligan gangs that seemed determined to come to a football match for a fight rather than watch a game.

Now it seems we are happy to allow thugs and yobs to play football and that for someone who has committed the crimes and showed no respect for his fellow team mates nor his club, is welcomed back by Newcastle United.

Kevin Keegan is quoted saying "we will give Joey Barton a second chance" yet how many chances has he already had, what about the young Manchester City trainee who's eye Joey Barton used as an ashtray or Osmane Dabo, who was subjected to a vicious and thuggish attack?

Any other person who had been convicted of these crimes and jailed would have found themselves with their career in tatters so why are Newcastle United allowing this thug to continue his career, a career that pays very well?

As any parent will tell you, children look up to footballers as role models, and they have to conduct themselves in a proper fashion, both on and off the pitch however it now seems like Newcastle United are condoning the crimes that Joey Barton has committed and give him a second chance.

They should have sacked him and thrown him on the rubbish heap, he does not deserve a second chance yet this is clearly two fingers up to his victims. If this was an isolated incident then maybe it could be dealt with but this is a player who has a history of bad behaviour, thuggish outbursts and no respect for himself or the people around him.

Even on his own website (www.joeybarton.net) there is more coverage regarding his off the pitch endeavours, He has been given many opportunity's to change his ways, including the help of people such as Tony Adams, Stuart Pearce, Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan.

Maybe I am being a bit harsh but if he was any normal bloke of the street, whould he be welcomed back into society??

Maybe not??

Lets just hope that he takes this opportunity as I have no doubt he is a gifted footballer but sorry Joey, being a thug as well does not make you a great player.