A version of this post appears on the New York Times’ Goal blog, under the title Joey Barton’s Twitter Philosophizing.
There’s something about Joey Barton. There always has been. His career has been punctuated by disturbing outbursts of violence: as a 22-year old he stubbed out a cigar in a teammate’s eye at a Christmas party; in May 2007 he brutally attacked Ousmane Dabo, another teammate, until his ears bled and his eyesight was damaged; and six months later he punched a man 20 times in the head outside a Liverpool McDonalds – a crime for which he served 77 days in Strangeways prison.
And then there’s the peculiar, gnawingly likeable Joey Barton: the footballer who regularly – and admirably – pierces the dull fog of footballerisms that sterilises the vast majority of post-match interviews and press conferences. He criticised the England team for cashing in on dismal World Cup performances by publishing post-tournament books (“I played like shit, here’s my book”); he flashed his bum at Everton fans who had been taunting him about his incarcerated brother; and, of late, he has been become quite easily the most surprising footballer on Twitter, re-tweeting quotes by Nietzche, offering his opinion on the Labour Party leadership, and recommending Naomi Wolf novels to his followers.
Somewhat predictably, his boundless honesty has landed him in trouble – a flurry of barely-veiled tweets criticising the blundering board at Newcastle United proved the final straw, and Barton was transfer listed on Wednesday. Whoever his new employers prove to be, it’s likely that his online activities will be highly scrutinised. They’ll find some interesting reading… here’s my pick of his most intriguing tweets since he joined twitter. Any I’ve missed?
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“There is a light that never goes out”………The Smiths! Best song ever written. Thanks marr / mozza for getting me through that drive…. |
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“Freedom of thought is best promoted by the gradual illumination of men’s minds.” Charles Darwin 1809-1882 |
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On getting refused entry to the US:
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Totally hypocrisy considering what they get up to but rules are rules……… |
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I’ve read the book “The End of America” by Naomi Wolf. There’s a DVD out has anyone seen it? Is it as good as the book? |
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On Rupert and James Murdoch’s appearance in front of the Select Committee:
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This is all a theatre show to keep the peasants jovial. Does anybody actually think justice will be served?????? |
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Well I’d vote for David M over Ed M, everyday of the week. I can’t believe he’s the most appealing labour politician??? David for leader |
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Not be frowned upon by those not brave enough to walk against the crowd. There’s safety in the herd but never enlightenment or individualism |
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Am in Holland, so can’t read what the daily star (spits on to the floor!) has written today about me? Is it their typical shoddy journalism? |
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@piersmorgan well done on ur impeding millionth follower Piersy, pimms all round on the croquet lawn squire? |
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Why are British troops in conflict zones risking their lives, on America’s behalf? Supporting a fascist regimes ideologies? Bring them home. |
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“Land of the free, home of the brave” only George Bush and his idiotic subordinates believe that sh*te |
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If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place. |
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And again it would be left to those magnificent fans to pick up the remnants of their once great football club. #hadenoughofcertainpeople |
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Somewhere in those high echelons of NUFC, they have decided, I am persona non grata. |
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In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act. George Orwell |
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Made to train alone today, how predictable……… |
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Image: ilgiovaneWalter (Sobchak) on Flickr / Some rights reserved
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