1982

Born Huyton, September 2.

2003

April - Makes Manchester City debut in a 2-0 defeat to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Scores first Blues goal in 2-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

September - Called into England Under-21 squad for internationals against FYR Macedonia and Portugal.

2004

February - Sent off after half-time in an FA Cup tie at Tottenham with his team 3-0 down. City go on to win 4-3.

April - Stormed out of Eastlands before kick-off after being axed from the side to face Southampton.

July - Blasted by manager Kevin Keegan for causing a mass brawl in pre-season friendly at Doncaster.

September - Signed a two-year extension to his contract.

December - Stubbed a lit cigar into the eye of young team-mate Jamie Tandy during clubs Christmas party. Fined six weeks wages by City. Forced to pay four weeks salary - approximately £60,000 - immediately, with a further two weeks suspended for a year.

2005

May - Barton breaks leg of 35-year-old pedestrian while driving his car at 2am in Liverpool city centre.

July 22 - Involved in an altercation with a 15-year-old Everton fan at City's team hotel in Bangkok, where the team are playing in the FA Premier League Trophy.

July 27 - Fined eight weeks wages by City after being found guilty of gross misconduct in the Bangkok incident. Accepts punishment and agrees to undertake a programme of rehabilitation.

2006

January 30 - Hands in a transfer request, which is instantly rejected by City.

July - Signs new four-year contract.

September 30 - Drops his shorts in the direction of Everton fans following Citys 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Merseyside Police and the FA later confirm they are liaising in their investigation into the matter.

October 5 - Charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute by the Football Association.

October 9 - Admits charge.

October 10 - Fined £2,000 and warned as to his future conduct by the FA.

2007

January 16 - Everton bid for Barton rejected by Manchester City.

Bartons agent, Willie McKay, reveals the midfielder has a £5.5m release clause in his contract, suggesting Everton triggered this clause.

February 2 - Earns first call-up to senior England squad for friendly against Spain.

February 7 - Makes England debut as a 78th-minute substitute.

February 21 - Cleared of making obscene gestures towards Portsmouth fans due to insufficient evidence.

March 13 - Arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage in an incident involving a taxi driver. He is later charged with criminal damage, which he denies.

April 21 - Barton says City fans are not getting value for money when watching the club at Eastlands and said the club had not signed quality players.

May 1 - Suspended by City for the rest of the season after training ground altercation with Ousmane Dabo.

June 2 - Admits he may be open to offers from other clubs.

June 5 - City give Newcastle permission to talk to the player after they make a bid.

June 14 - Completes £5.8m move to St James Park.

July 21 - Breaks a metatarsal in a pre-season meeting with Carlisle.

August 2 - Charged with assault over training ground incident involving Dabo.

October 4 - Appears in court charged with Dabo assault. Indicates he will plead not guilty.

October 22 - Makes Newcastle debut in 3-1 victory over Tottenham.

December 1 - Barton causes controversy on Tyneside by describing the St James' Park crowd as vicious.

December 27 - Arrested in Liverpool city centre in connection with an allegation of assault.

December 28 - Charged with common assault and affray and refused bail.

2008

January 3 - Released from custody after being granted bail.

January 16 - Appears in court in Liverpool over allegations of assault and affray.

March 12 - Appears in court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

May 20 - Admits assault and affray and is jailed for six months at Liverpool Crown Court.

July 1 - Receives four-month suspended sentence for assaulting Dabo.

July 28 - Released from prison.

July 31 - The FA charge Barton with violent conduct over the Dabo incident.

August 13 - Barton admits the FA charge.

August 30 - Barton returns to first-team action by making a substitute appearance for Newcastle away to Arsenal.

September 5 - Banned by the FA for 12 matches - six of which are suspended - and fined £25,000 after admitting violent conduct charge in relation to the Dabo incident.

2009

May 3 - Sent-off against Liverpool for late challenge on Xabi Alonso. Receives subsequent criticism from Newcastle manager Alan Shearer.

May 5 - Suspended until further notice by Newcastle.