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English football side Bristol Rovers were relegated from League One earlier this year. To add salt to their wounds, they haven't had the best of starts in the new division after five defeats in nine games, leaving them placed 18th in the table just ahead of Salford City by one point. Fans have been distraught by the team's on-field performances and recently vented their frustration on social media.
In a foul-mouthed rant, which has been posted on Twitter, Bristol Rovers fans have aimed their ire at one particular man, their infamous manager.
The manager in question is Joey Barton, previously of Fleetwood Town, before leaving to take charge of Bristol Rovers and effectively taking them down with him to League Two.
Joey Barton's Herratic Past
Though nothing much can be written of his managerial career just yet, there are a few of Joey Barton's on and off-field antics that have grabbed headlines over the years for all the wrong reasons. Without further ado, here are some of Joey Barton’s most infamous moments.
#5. Joey Barton stubbs Cigar Bud in Youth Player's Eye
Joey Barton was fined six weeks' wages for aggravated assault on a young teammate, Jamie Tandy, during his time at Manchester City. The team was out for a Christmas party in 2004 when a fracas ensued between Tandy and Barton, who had dressed up as Jimmy Savile.
The lad tried to set Barton’s shirt on fire in a prank gone wrong. Barton failed to see the funny side of it and, in very apparent and uncontrolled rage, retaliated by stubbing out his cigar in Tandy’s eye. He was dully fined for his aggressive conduct and made to tender an apology to his coach.
#4. Joey Barton exposes Himself to Everton Fans
Manchester City and Everton's duels at Goodison Park are always feisty encounters. The Merseyside faithful always gather in numbers to make sure they are heard by each and every player in the opposition. In one particular game at Goodson Park in 2006, the Toffees were ahead and the home fans were taunting Barton all night.
Manchester City equalized and Joey Barton seemed to have enough of the jeering and taunting from the home fans. But what followed was the zenith of vengeful shennanigans that Barton was so infamous for. He responded by pulling down his shorts and pointing his naked bottom towards the Everton fans in a shocking display of unruly behavior.
He was fined £2000 for contravening IFAB’s laws that prohibit “bringing the game into disrepute”.
#3. Joey Barton's Incarceration
Joey Barton never missed a chance for a night out. He was once involved in a brawl in Liverpool that saw him plow out a teenager’s teeth and punch a man 20 times, rendering him unconscious.
Barton admitted to having an alcohol problem and was seemingly remorseful in front of Liverpool Crown Court, which adjudged the incident as a 'violent and cowardly act'
In May 2008, he was sentenced to six months behind bars, but was out after 74 days in the month of July.
#2. Joey Barton Gouges Out a Teammate’s Eye
This was another episode of violence while Joey Barton was turning out for the Citizens. Seemingly his Manchester City days were his most unstable.
This particular incident took place at Man City’s training ground on May,1, 2007. Barton had a messy altercation with Ousmane Dabo and by the end of it, the Frenchman was left unconscious, scratched, and with his retina detached.
It was the last straw and Barton never played another game for Manchester city.
After being arrested and arraigned, Barton was found guilty of assault and sentenced to a four-month suspended sentence plus 200 hours of community service. He also had to bear the cost of the lawsuit and pay a £3000 compensation to Dabo.
The FA slapped him with a six-game ban in 2008 and another violent conduct charge.
Incredibly, years later, in February 2021 on Robbie Fowler's podcast, the Bristol Rovers manager, 38, offered Dabo, now 44, the chance to square it out in the ring for a charity boxing match.
#1. Joey Barton's Ugly QPR Incident
On 13 May 2012, the final day of the season, Barton was in a QPR team that was facing Manchester City away and in need of a draw to ward off relegation.
Always one to be drawn into scuffles, the Bristol Rovers manager elbowed Carlos Tevez in the face. He was shown a straight red.
Before leaving the pitch, however, he kicked Sergio Aguero in the knee and lashed out at Vincent Kompany by trying to head-butt him. It took an intervention from Micah Richards to finally drag him off the field but not before he had a tussle with Mario Balotelli as well.
The game is famously remembered for its "AGUERRROOOOOOO" moment, while Joey Barton was suspended for 12 games and fined £75,000 after being charged with two acts of violent conduct.
Joey Barton's Slice of Humble Pie
When questioned about his Bristol Rovers managerial progress so far and the viral run-in with the Gasheads, he had this to say in part.
“The football club was in a difficult position when I came here and I thought I could turn water into wine.
“That hasn't transpired and I have been humbled by it"
Good luck Joey. Seems like he’s learned a thing or two about being on the receiving end.
