Joey Barton: Burnley midfielder misses out on Championship winners' medal during title celebrations
The 33-year-old was one of two squad members who failed to receive awards after a oversight by the east Lancashire club
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Your support makes all the difference.Joey Barton’s celebrations of Burnley’s Championship title win were briefly put on hold after the club ran out of winners’ medals.
The 33-year-old was one of the last players in line to collect an award at Burnley Town Hall on Monday, where the Clarets were presented with the old First Division trophy.
Barton, named player of the year by the club’s fans earlier the same day, and defender James Tarkowski left the podium empty-handed, with only 25 medals supplied for the 27 squad members in attendance.
The former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder looked momentarily bemused by the oversight and later tweeted: “No medal? What's going on?”
Burnley’s media manager Darren Bentley later admitted that it was his mistake that had led to Barton and Tarkowski missing out on their medals, tweeting: “Competely distraught over that mix-up with the medals. Completely my fault. Football League absolutely not to blame.
“Also, to Joey Barton, I let you down badly there mate. So sorry,” he added.
Barton replied: “Don't worry mate. It's only a medal. It'll sort itself out.”
A spokesman from Burnley later confirmed that the mistake was the fault of the club, not the Football League, and that every player will receive a winners’ medal in due course.
Sean Dyche’s side, who were confirmed as champions following a 3-0 win at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, had already been forced to wait two days to lift the silverware after the Football League’s decision not to allow trophy presentations at away grounds.
“It was a shame we couldn't have it on the pitch on Saturday - everybody's had their say on it, it was ridiculous,” defender Ben Mee told the Daily Mail.
“But we saw it last night [Sunday] and we got to hold it, so to officially have it is great and to do it in front of the fans was great.”
Burnley, who last won the second tier's league title in 1973, returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking after suffering relegation last term.
The Clarets will be joined by Middlesbrough in next season's Premier League, after the Teesiders' 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion secured top-flight football at the Riverside Stadium for the first time since 2009.
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