And any doubters that his best days might be behind him need not have worried, as the 2015/16 season was arguably the best of Barton’s career.
His onfield dynamism and leadership, allied to supreme passing skills, were key factors in the Clarets’ promotion to the Premier League.
He also chipped in with a few goals, notably the late-season winner at Preston as promotion was close to being clinched.
Seeking a new challenge at the age of 33, he moved to Rangers at the end of the season, but things did not go to plan at Ibrox and Barton returned to Burnley in January 2017, marking his home debut with a spectacular goal from a free kick against Southampton.
He was as consistent as ever in his second Turf Moor spell, but by this time a charge for historical betting offences hung over him. He was suspended for 18 months, subsequently reduced to 13, and this effectively brought an end to his playing career.
After the end of his ban, Barton took on his first managerial position at Fleetwood Town, taking the club to the League One play-offs in 2020, and after leaving Highbury took charge at Bristol Rovers in February, 2021.
Lukas Jutkiewicz
A mainstay of Birmingham City’s Championship side since 2017, and a regular goalscorer, Lukas Jutkiewicz’s time at Burnley was less productive.
Although a popular player whose efforts could seldom be faulted, he was strangely unsuccessful in front of goal.
Already well-travelled before his arrival at Turf Moor, “Juke” had enjoyed his best spells with Coventry City and Middlesbrough, and it was from the Riverside that he joined Burnley in the summer of 2014.
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