Why Barton, not Hill-Wood, is the clueless one

By Steve Stammers

Published 10:31 12/10/11

• 

Joey Barton was it again last week and this time his target was Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood. To summarise, Barton said Hill-Wood "does not have a clue what is going on" at The Emirates. He based the assertion on Hill-Wood's statement that he was unaware of any approach by Arsene Wenger for Barton when he was given a free by Newcastle.

Barton: Arsenal have problems at the top  

An interesting theory, although the facts do not give it any substance. Firstly, managers do not call the chairman every time they speak to a player or agent. It doesn't work like that, Joey. Does Sir Alex Ferguson ring either Avram or Joel Glazer every time he speaks to a player? Of course not. The consultations start when a deal is in the pipeline.

Secondly, it is worth a detailed look at the achievements of Hill-Wood the chairman and Barton the player to see who does or does not know what is going on.

Hill-Wood became Arsenal chairman in 1982. He had been educated at Eton and was rated as savvy enough in the banking business to become vice-chairman of Hambros. He has an apartment in Chelsea, a house on the South Coast and another in the select Hamptons near New York.

Under his stewardship, Arsenal have won five league titles (1989, 1991, 1998, 2002 and 2004). They have won five FA Cups (1993, 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005). They won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1994. They won the League Cup in 1987 and 1993 and reached the Champions League final in 2006.

And it is worth noting that Arsene Wenger could not have been appointed without Hill-Wood giving his stamp of approval.

He was also keen that when Arsenal relocated it should be at Ashburton Grove rather than share Wembley and he gave his full backing to Ken Friar and the late Danny Fiszman as they supervised the move to The Emirates.

Not done bad for someone out of the loop, has he Joey ?

Now compare the success story of Barton in football. He has been a guest of Her Majesty after a fracas outside a McDonald's in Liverpool. He attacked a team-mate in training and showing laudable acting ability when he went down pole-axed when he was given the most gentle of slaps by Arsenal's Gervinho on the opening day of the season. Gervinho was sent off.

Oh - and according to Wolverhampton Wanderers midfield player Karl Henry, Barton goes round the pitch in his new life at Queens Park Rangers telling the opposition that he earns £80,000 a week. Or about as much as Hill-Wood has down the back of his sofa.

The difference is Hill-Wood would not dream of boasting of his wealth... which, by the way, is considerable. Barton's gift to mankind is to tell his PA to sell his designer watches because he doesn't need them.

And the lesson? Money can buy you many things Joey - but class isn't one of them. I think we can assume that Peter Hill-Wood knows what is going on.

**

When your neighbours are Everton and Liverpool, it is hard to grab any limelight. To secure any profile, Tranmere Rovers need a manager with personality and wit.

They have one in Les Parry.

Sky Sports could do worse than televise his press conferences before and after matches. He is brilliant and came out with the quote of the weekend after the 1-1 draw with Charlton.

He was asked if he had any regrets about leaving the comfort zone of his job as Tranmere physio to take over as manager.

"Not at all," he said. "It means I am on more money so they will have to give me more money when they give me the bullet. And they will give me the bullet one day !"

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!