All for the money - The Secret Footballer

[The Maine Man]

Could it be SWP?

[BlueinBosnia]

Could it be SWP?

White, and grew up on a council estate. So he's ruled out. As is David James (from Welwyn).

[Arjan Van Schotte]

Could it be SWP?

White, and grew up on a council estate. So he's ruled out. As is David James (from Welwyn).

thats the thing - reading that website, just about everyone is ruled out for one reason or other.

[Tokyo Blue]

Could it be SWP?

White, and grew up on a council estate. So he's ruled out. As is David James (from Welwyn).

thats the thing - reading that website, just about everyone is ruled out for one reason or other.

If you are a public figure and you wanted to maintain your anonymity, wouldn't you change a few details about yourself?

[Mase]

Wio.

[Tokyo Blue]

Wio.

Doesn't look like it is written in crayon to me.

[BlueinBosnia]

Could it be SWP?

White, and grew up on a council estate. So he's ruled out. As is David James (from Welwyn).

thats the thing - reading that website, just about everyone is ruled out for one reason or other.

If you are a public figure and you wanted to maintain your anonymity, wouldn't you change a few details about yourself?

I agree with you there, but some details are so integral (the council estate is mentioned numerous times, and once with reference to multiculturality growing up) and by themselves non-incriminating, that they shouldn't allow anyone to find who it is without true dedication.

Here's the list of facts about them:
1. English
2. Currently married
3. Played under at least 4 managers
4. Had a transfer between 2 Premiership clubs
5. Premier League player in January 2011
6. Played with a group of French players at one club
7. Played with a striker who refused to move unless the pass went exactly where he wanted it
8. Played for one manager for a considerable amount of time who was great before losing it
9. Played for a manager who lost the dressing room
10. Has a friend who plays for Liverpool
11. Thinks Harry Redknapp is the Messiah
12. Probably hasn't appeared as a pundit
13. Had a long term girlfriend as a younger player
14. Had/has a strong father figure.
15. Not an Arsenal or Man City player.
16. Played a match at some point towards the end of March or first few days of April 2011
17. Not a keeper.
18. Has a daughter.
21. He’s been involved in a last day relegation battle
22. He’s played for a newly promoted Premier League club
23. Has been subject to a deadline day transfer
24. TSF is Caucasian
25. Has a good friend who is African and has played for a team in Russia

A few more snippets have come out since that list was published (like the recent one about having lost 4 or 5 nil at a 'Big 4' ground, but during the time of the Emirates, and not Highbury), and I'm not convinced all of them are bona fide; particularly the daughter (could have been talking hypothetically), the French (nationality could be replaced, or could be Francophones in general), wife (easy red herring to upkeep, especially if you have a long-term girlfriend) and newly-promoted team (also easy red herring to throw in, especially if you play for a team in their second Prem season).

[Alioune DVToure]

Could it be SWP?

White, and grew up on a council estate. So he's ruled out. As is David James (from Welwyn).

thats the thing - reading that website, just about everyone is ruled out for one reason or other.

If you are a public figure and you wanted to maintain your anonymity, wouldn't you change a few details about yourself?

I agree with you there, but some details are so integral (the council estate is mentioned numerous times, and once with reference to multiculturality growing up) and by themselves non-incriminating, that they shouldn't allow anyone to find who it is without true dedication.

Here's the list of facts about them:
1. English
2. Currently married
3. Played under at least 4 managers
4. Had a transfer between 2 Premiership clubs
5. Premier League player in January 2011
6. Played with a group of French players at one club
7. Played with a striker who refused to move unless the pass went exactly where he wanted it
8. Played for one manager for a considerable amount of time who was great before losing it
9. Played for a manager who lost the dressing room
10. Has a friend who plays for Liverpool
11. Thinks Harry Redknapp is the Messiah
12. Probably hasn't appeared as a pundit
13. Had a long term girlfriend as a younger player
14. Had/has a strong father figure.
15. Not an Arsenal or Man City player.
16. Played a match at some point towards the end of March or first few days of April 2011
17. Not a keeper.
18. Has a daughter.
21. He’s been involved in a last day relegation battle
22. He’s played for a newly promoted Premier League club
23. Has been subject to a deadline day transfer
24. TSF is Caucasian
25. Has a good friend who is African and has played for a team in Russia

A few more snippets have come out since that list was published (like the recent one about having lost 4 or 5 nil at a 'Big 4' ground, but during the time of the Emirates, and not Highbury), and I'm not convinced all of them are bona fide; particularly the daughter (could have been talking hypothetically), the French (nationality could be replaced, or could be Francophones in general), wife (easy red herring to upkeep, especially if you have a long-term girlfriend) and newly-promoted team (also easy red herring to throw in, especially if you play for a team in their second Prem season).

Barton is possible. Other candidates are Scott Parker, Nicky Butt (if we fudge the dates a bit) and Sean Davis.

Is he 100% definitely English? If not, Robbie Savage would also make sense.

[BlueinBosnia]

Is he 100% definitely English? If not, Robbie Savage would also make sense.

Savage was a thought for me, too. However, I reckon he's ruled out on the punditry grounds. The idea that he's English stems from the fact he refers to the England national team as 'us'. However, I do the same by calling the Bosnian national team 'we' and 'us' in certain situations, and would always do it when writing about the national team, unless I was doing so specifically from the point-of-view of a foreigner, so I wouldn't call it a 'dead cert' clue, either.

[Ted Hughes]

Still haven't read many but the ones I have read, the subjects covered in the ones I'm yet to read but have scanned, the opinionated psuedo intellectual crap spouted, especially the quotes, the various experiences & the overcomplication & lack of understanding of some simple football details, whinging about young players, it all just absolutely screams Barton to me.

It's all stuff he has previous for talking about. Plus, the bloke can't stop talking to media; he craves it.

I recon, as suggested, it's just that he's thrown one or two red herrings into the mix or it would be too obvious. Take out two or three one liners & the rest is like resume of Barton's career.

[Nickyboy]

Scott Parker for me