Taylor pledges his support for Barton

PROFESSIONAL Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has vowed to support Joey Barton and insists the Newcastle midfielder can still have a future in football.

Barton, 25, was yesterday jailed for six months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting charges of assault and affray.

Newcastle issued a short statement saying they were “considering the verdict”.

The sentence is the latest development in Barton’s controversial career but Taylor backed the former Manchester City star’s character.

“It’s a crying shame for a player who clearly is very talented,” Taylor continued. “When you speak to the lad he can be very articulate, sensible and intelligent.

“He’s come from a difficult background and he’s had a history of troubles. We’ve tried to help and will continue to try to help.’’

Born in the Liverpool suburb of Huyton, Barton emerged from the ranks at Manchester City to force his way into the first team under Kevin Keegan, and established a reputation as a combative and direct midfielder with goals in his armoury.

Indeed, his form for City propelled him into the England U21s and then, in February last year, a call-up to the senior squad and a first cap as a substitute against Spain.

However, throughout his rise to prominence, the disciplinary problems which were to escalate to criminal proportions were never too far away.

Misdemeanours on the pitch were not uncommon, but Barton launched his catalogue of off-the-field offences in sickening fashion in December 2004 when he stubbed a lit cigar into the eye of young team-mate Jamie Tandy during the club’s Christmas party.

His punishment was a fine of six weeks’ wages, but that did little to dull his talent for getting into trouble.

He agreed to undergo rehabilitation after being fined eight weeks’ wages after an incident involving a 15-year-old Everton fan in Bangkok the following July, but there was little respite.

The final straw as far as City were concerned came in May last year with an alleged training ground incident involving French team-mate Ousmane Dabo, which is the subject of ongoing proceedings. Barton was banned by his club for the remainder of the season and when it became clear his position was untenable, Newcastle stepped in to clinch a £5.8million move.