Former England international and current FOX Soccer analyst Warren Barton will join Sporting KC as a guest color commentator for the club’s broadcast (9:00 p.m. CT, KSMO) of Saturday’s match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Barton, a longtime veteran of the highest levels of the game in England and in Europe, played as an attacking fullback, most notably for Newcastle United during arguably the club’s most successful run of seasons ever during the mid-to-late nineties. SportingKC.com caught up with Barton recently to get his views on coverage of the game here in the States, what it’s like working for FOX Soccer and his greatest memories as a player for Newcastle.
SportingKC.com: Warren, thanks so much for taking a couple minutes with us today, we’re looking forward to seeing you Saturday on the broadcast. To begin with, how did you come to be involved in television after your time as a player?
I was very conscious when I played knowing how important the media is in the sport. With the start of the Premier League and seeing the game grow globally, I was always available for interviews, or writing columns, or doing work in the local media. As a captain, I always was involved with the media which is very important, so I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of good people that helped me along the way.
SportingKC.com: How’s the experience been working as a pundit at FOX Soccer?
It’s fantastic. The most exciting thing for me is watching the passion and the growth of the sport, the company, and just the excitement of going into work everyday has been amazing. At the beginning it was one Saturday a week, and then to have all these games every weekend, SuperSunday Plus, and ultimately the UEFA Champions League, the best of the best. And MLS, which we find as a channel very important to have. It’s been great watching it grow.
SportingKC.com: In your mind, what are the biggest differences between the way the game is covered here in the States compared to over in England?
I think obviously in the US you’re always competing. The NFL, the NBA as we’re seeing now with the playoffs, baseball, there’s more competition. Back home in the UK, if there’s a game on, everyone is watching it. That’s what drives you on, though, to give the best show you can because you are competing. As this game is growing, and it is, what we want to do is try to create a following where people know when the games are. Speaking to people ten years ago you had to look high and low to try and find any game, even the biggest ones. Now you can pick it up and watch any club you want.
SportingKC.com: Now, we often see you in the studio on Saturday mornings on FOX Soccer rather than commentating on live events. Do you have a preference?
I do like the studio. I did some pitchside work for SKY for two, three years. I enjoy the work at the stadiums, and I will enjoy Saturday. I really enjoy speaking to the coaches, the players, it’s the nearest you can be without actually playing. You’re back into that player mode where you’re analyzing, I’ll be preparing 90 minutes before, looking forward, taking in the atmosphere. I’m very fortunate that I enjoy both,can do both and do it for Sporting Kansas City this weekend.
SportingKC.com: So how did this opportunity come up, as far as you joining the broadcast team for Saturday?
Mutual friend, Christian Miles, introduced me to the guys, and I’m more than happy to do it. I’d probably go and watch the Galaxy anyway, like I did against New York. So it was a chance to catch up, speak to people, and lo and behold we’re ready to go. It’s not a problem for me and I’m looking forward to it. I know Peter [Vermes] well, and I had a chance to speak with him, and I’m really looking forward to it.
SportingKC.com: You were here in Kansas City working for FOX Soccer for the club’s match against Manchester United. We actually shared an elevator ride if I recall correctly. What do you remember about the day?
There was a real buzz. You always get up for those games with the best teams, Manchester United, or Liverpool or Barcelona. When I played for England I remember playing against Brazil. I just remembered the whole city being focused and it actually took me back to a time when I was playing for Newcastle against United and every fan in the ground was counting down the clock to zero before the match started, which was great. That’s what I noticed most about the match that day, that focus in the crowd before kickoff and that’s what you see so often in the UK, so it was really pleasing to see.
SportingKC.com: A question on Newcastle United now, as they will be here in KC on July 20th for a friendly at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. You played for the club for seven years, when you hear the name Newcastle United, what do you think of?
I get goosebumps. It was a magnificent time. Great, great stadium, great people, great fans. It was the best time in my career. Challenging for championships, playing in the Champions League, playing in Europe, in FA Cup finals, I did it all there, and I’m grateful for all the people there that made me and my family feel welcome. It’s a great place, a great area, the game is their passion. Probably would be closest to the Pittsburgh Steelers, you’re in that town and you’re treated perfect. I’m also very proud to know that I played for them and also captained them for a few years so I have a lot of fond memories there.
SportingKC.com: What’s the greatest memory you have as a player at St. James Park?
Yes. Beating Barcelona in the Champions League, 3-2. They had the likes of Figo, and Ronaldo was playing. I’m not sure whether Pep [Guardiola] was playing, I think he was still there because that was the start of Louis van Gaal. Luis Enrique was there, so we played against some quality players and we managed to beat them. So that was always a special memory because that was the first time Newcastle had played at that level and it was at St. James’ so it was a very special occasion for everyone.
SportingKC.com: You played in the Premier League at a time right before the game really started becoming popular here in the States, so fill us in, who were some of the best players you had to mark in your days both at Wimbledon and at Newcastle?
Well I was there at the beginning at the Premier League. Some of the ones that stick out are Zidane, Del Piero, Figo. And I remember younger players coming through when I was playing like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard. Played against Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo with Brazil. Ryan Giggs, probably one of the greatest players still in the world, we played against one another and it was great catching up with him last year in Kansas City. I’ve been fortunate, I’d like to think they say they’ve played against me, but I don’t think that’s the case!
SportingKC.com: Perhaps for some of the newer fans that might be reading this that see Newcastle where they are currently as a midtable side, even spending a season in the Championship, describe just how big of a club Newcastle really is?
Newcastle is a giant of a club. 52,000 people every single week. If you’re born in Newcastle, you have no choice, you support Newcastle. Everybody wears their colors, they are worshipped there. The club, the team, as you go in to Newcastle across the bridge the stadium is at the top of hill as you enter the city. We were the Chelsea of the 90s, the team that was breaking the barrier, twice runners up. The special thing though is when even when they were relegated, 52,000 people still paid their money to come and watch them, because that’s what their club means to them. I think the people of Kansas City will love having the Geordies in town. They’re a pleasure to be around. I want to come to the game, I’m going to try because they are the club that I still follow.