Not only did 2004 play host to the Doncaster brawl, but it was also the time of a high-profile moment of madness. During the Manchester City Christmas party, Barton stubbed a lit cigar out in the eye of youth team player, Jamie Tandy. He was fined six-weeks wages, and Tandy won £65,000 in damages. Those are the key facts, but Barton also offers some insight under the 'thoughts' category on his own website. To sum Barton's side of the story up, it was a drunken mess. In a time when footballers had personalities, the City side seemingly loved a prank. Barton describes that 'six inches of his shirt were on fire' with Tandy standing grinning behind, before detailing that he aimed for the youngster's neck (because that's so much kinder) but Tandy turned and had his eyelid burnt instead. Amazingly, Joey seems surprised that Tandy wasn't too pleased about his eye situation. "I wouldnt make a big deal of him setting me on fire, if he played down the injury to his eye. I tried to explain that I was in the first team and that things would go my way." Classy.
What Culture contributor. NCTJ accredited Sports Journalist. Regret-filled Sunderland AFC season ticket holder. Optimism-filled NFL fan. Lover of all things Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead & more.
