Newcastle United's Joey Barton: The Highs and Lows

Joey Barton is back in the news for the wrong reasons and here at the Bleacher report we wanted to take alook at the highs and lows of the controversial midfielders career.

From making his debut for Manchester City, playing for England and spending 3 months in prison its been a turbulen ride foe the United m

Barton Becomes a Regular at Manchester City

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LONDON - DECEMBER 3: Joey Barton of Manchester City strikes the ball during the Carling Cup fourth round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on December 3, 2003 in London. Tottenham Hotspur won the match 3-1. (Photo b

Barton establish himself as a midfielder regular at Manchester City after making his debut vs Bolton Wanderers on April 5 2003.

The former Everton trainee would have made his debut earlier in the season against Middlesbrough. but lost his match day shirt.

Barton began to establish himself as a regular under Kevin Keegan as a hard working midfielder.

A First Red Card For Barton Against Spurs at White Hart Lane

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LONDON - DECEMBER 3: Helda Postiga of Tottenham Hotspur is tackled by Joey Barton of Manchester City despairs during the Carling Cup fourth round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at White Hart Lane on December 3, 2003 in London. (Phot

The battling midfielder picked up the first red card of his career away to Spurs in the FA Cup in unusual circumstances.

With his side trailing 3-0, Barton was shown red in the tunnel at half time following a disagreement with the referee.

Despite entering the second half three goals behind and a man down City still managed to win 4-3.

Christmas Party Problems Leave Barton Facing Sack at Manchester City

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BOLTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Kevin Nolan (L) of Bolton challenges Joey Barton of Manchester City during the Barclays Premiership match between Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium on December 18, 2004 in Bolton, England. (Photo b

December 18th 2004 - Barton battling with future teammate Kevin Nolan, days later he faced the sack for stubbing a cigar out in the eye of academy player Jamie Tandy.

After being named young player of the year for 2003-04 season, Barton signed a new contract in September 2004 he faced the sack from the club.

In the end City decided to fine the midfielder six weeks wages costing the bad boy £60 000.

More Fines For Barton Following Thailand Troubles

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BANGKOK, THAILAND - JULY 20: Joey Barton of Manchester City battles with Joey O'Brien of Bolton Wanderers during the FA Premier League Asia Trophy First Round match between Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers at the Rajamangala Stadium on July 20, 2005

Joey Barton found himself in the news for the wrong reasons again in the summer of 2005, during a pre-season trip the Thailand.

The midfielder was sent home by City after assualting a 15 year fan, who had provoked Barton into a reaction by kicking and verbally abusing him.

Richard Dunne had to restrain the problematic midfielder who was forced to under go anger management by then manager Stuart Pearce.

The Thailand troubles saw Barton pick up a further £120 000 in fines by City.

Barton's Bum Sparks Outrage at Goodison Park

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LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 30: Joey Barton of City battles with Tim Cahill of Everton during the Barclays Premiership match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on September 30, 2006 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jamie McDo

The former Everton trainee returned to Goodison Park fresh from earning a new four year contract a City.

But once again it was Barton misbehaviour which landed him in the news after showing his backside to Goodison fans at full time.

After City's late equalisier the midfielder 'mooned' the Toffee's fans in what has since been described a 'light-hearted' and 'inoffensive' incident, despite this Barton was still fined £2000 by the Football Association (The FA) for brining the game into disrepute.

Barton Makes England National Side, Upsetting a Few Names Along The Way.

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MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 05: Joey Barton of England warms up with the team during a training session at the Carrington Training Complex on Febuary 5, 2007 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Barton collected his first and so far only England cap on the 2nd of February 2007 against Spain despite his criticism of senior England players.

The tough talking star claimed some England stars had 'cashed in' on  England's poor performance at the 2006 World Cup with autobiographies.

His comments were met with mixed reactions with Steven Gerrard, one of the players he had attacked praising his honesty.

Whilst Lampard, another player attacked by Barton publicly disapproving the comments.

Barton Seals His Manchester City Exit and Collects £100 000 With Go With It

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MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 16: Ousmane Dabo and Joey Barton of Manchester City clash with Yoanne Folly of Sheffield Wednesday during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON Third Round replay match between Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday at the C

Barton was banned from speaking to the media after labelling a Stuart Pearce signing at 'substandard'.

And it wasn't long before Barton secured his exit from Manchester City in unbelievable circumstances.

The midfielder was suspended and fined £100 000 by Manchester City following his training ground bust up with Frenchman Ousmane Dabo.

Dabo claimed he has been hit several times, and suffered a suspected detached retina in the attack, Barton was interview by Police following the incident.

Barton soon left city, claiming a 'relationship breakdown' with Stuart Pearce as the reasons behind his move.

Newcastle Beat West Ham To Sign Barton In The Summer Of 2007

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LONDON - DECEMBER 15: Alan Smith (R) of Newcastle United congratulates Joey Barton of Newcastle United after he scored a penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on December 15, 2007 in London,

Newcastle United boss made Joey Barton one of his first signings at St James on June 14th 2007.

Beating off competion from West Ham, Barton claimed his desire to win trophies as his main reason for joining United.

United paid £5.8million for the midfielder, £300 000 to cover pay for fee's Barton claimed were owed to him from City.

Barton netted his first goal for his new club in a dire 1-0 victory over Fulham in December 2007, scoring a penalty late in the game.

Barton Returns To United Side After Prison Spell

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LONDON - AUGUST 30: Joey Barton of Newcastle United comes on as a substitute during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on August 30, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Im

The one cap midfielder was sentenced to 6 months in prison in May 2008 following an altercation in Liverpool in December 2007.

Returning to first team action on August 30th 2008 at the Emirates as a second half sub, with Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasir infuriating United boss Kevin Keegan for his heavy challenge on Barton which went unpunished.

His return to first team action was short lived and he received a 6 match ban from the FA for the Dabo incident at Manchester City - returning to the side managed by Joe Kinnear.

Returning to the side before injuries ruled him out until March 2009.

Barton Returns to Relegation Fight For Newcastle But Ends in Red Card

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LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 03: Joey Barton of Newcastle United protests after a challenge on Xabi Alonso of Liverpool and is subsequently sent off by Referee Phil Dowd during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United a

Barton returned in May 2009, after 3 months out for United returning to help the club stay in the Premier League under its 3rd manager of the season Alan Shearer.

The return didn't go as planned however with Barton shown red for a late lunge at Red's midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Suspended for the club's remaining three games of the season Barton's future seemed in doubt following comments by Alan Shearer:

"I think it would be wrong to discuss his future now, but I'm not very happy."

Barton was suspended by the club following the game and ordered to keep away from the training ground following an alleged altercation with Shearer and then assistand manager Iain Dowie after Shearer described his tackle as 'a cowards tackle'.

Barton Puts Past Behind Him and Excels Under Hughton at Newcastle

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Andy Carroll of Newcastle United celebrates with Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan after scoring his first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on Aug

Barton outlasted Shearer and played a bit part role as the club stormed the Championship and returned to the Premier League.

Under Chris Hughton Barton seemed to have calmed down and made far fewer headlines, becoming a first team regular for the club in the Premier League.

Starring for United in a 6-0 romp against Aston Villa and excelling for United for against Sunderland in the 5-1 derby day demolition. 

Bad Boy Barton Returns in Moment Of Madness at St James

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Joey Barton and Andy Caroll of Newcastle talk during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers at St James' Park on November 10, 2010 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Pho

The red mist returned to Joey Barton as he punched Blackburn Rover's Morten Gamst Pederson last night.

Barton's action's went unnoticed by the referee but was captured by camera's who showed the incident the Sam Allardyce who branded it 'unfortunate.'

Following praise earlier in the season for his great composure against Wolves when people claim he was wound up by Mick McCarthy's side the red mist returning will disappointment many Newcastle fans.