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Gazza’s goal-den memories

October 18 - 24, 2017
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Gulf Weekly Gazza’s goal-den memories

Football legend Paul Gascoigne was in fine form and looking in better health than in recent years as he delighted guests with tales from his glittering career at a special dinner event.

The former Spurs, Newcastle, Lazio and Rangers hero was the special guest speaker at the latest sports dinner staged at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa last Friday.

With a history of well-documented drinking problems and health issues, he was closely monitored throughout the evening and brought on stage for two sets, before fans were given a chance to purchase a signed shirt and take photographs with the star. 

The successful bidders were able to spend a few moments quizzing the legend privately. One Spurs fan, David Lord, said the event was much better than expected. “Gazza was in good form and wrapped up in cotton wool all evening. He came out for the speech to huge cheers and looked happy to be here,” he told my colleague, Kristian Harrison.

“He told some great stories, such as when he stole an ostrich from a zoo and brought it to training the next day. He always said fellow player Steve Sedgley looked like one because of his long neck, so decided he’d play a prank!”

Gazza, whose career lasted from 1985-2004, did a meet and greet with fans who were also offered the chance to purchase gifts.

Tottenham Hotspur FC fan David, who represents vehicle paint protection company, Supagard, in the region, snapped up a magical signed piece of memorabilia for around BD100 and was given a chance to take a picture with the player and prize shirt.

Long-time Bahrain resident, David, who lives in Saar with his wife, Vicky and daughter, Sophia, explained: “I thanked him for scoring the amazing free kick in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final against our main rivals Arsenal. He’s 50 but looks older than my granddad, the years of abuse has taken its toll and you can tell he could topple easily. However, he kept it together and it was great to see him.”

Bearing in mind his recent history it was pleasing to see the organisers taking their social responsibility seriously by ‘bubble-wrapping’ Gazza while on an after-dinner talking tour of the Gulf States.

What makes Gascoigne such an interesting speaker is that for every instant of genius there were more moments of pure insanity. And, therein, lies the enigma that is Paul Gascoigne. 

Brilliant one minute, crazy the next. 

As a player he achieved some of the greatest highs, yet off the pitch he has also experienced some of the lowest lows. 

He is perhaps as famous for mad antics that would have made him better suited to playing with Wimbledon’s legendary Crazy Gang – although the closest he got to them was in Vinnie Jones’s nutcracker special.

There are so many stories about Gazza that I suspect it is impossible to have heard them all, although many are written into football folklore.  

As he and his former colleagues and opponents hit the after-dinner speaking circuit there are regular new revelations that hit the headlines – mainly because of who he is.

It was therefore refreshing to see the organisers accept their corporate social responsibility and limit his exposure to an environment that could have been his downfall in previous incarnations.

Poor discipline is a problem that has plagued Gascoigne throughout his playing career and personal life. 

There was a time when playing for Newcastle United’s youth team in 1984 when he was on the verge of being elevated to the first team when he was almost dropped altogether by manager and former World Cup winner, Jack Charlton, for being too fat after living off a bad diet including too many chocolate bars. 

He spent the next 10 days running in a bin liner to lose weight and promptly secured not only a recall but also the captaincy.

He came to adore Big Jack and regularly went fishing with him. On his first outing Gazza bought brand new fishing gear only for his manager to throw it into the water. Charlton then poured a can of Irish nectar into the water and all the fish came over – Gazza realised he had plenty to learn!

Despite having such incredible talent he has remarkably few accolades to show for it.

His main achievement was winning the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur in 1991. While he watched the trophy being lifted from a hospital bed, perhaps his most important role was securing a semi-final win over arch-rivals Arsenal. He later went on to win the Scottish League (twice) and Scottish Cup with Glasgow Rangers.

Gascoigne made his debut for England under Bobby Robson against Denmark in September 1988 although failed to establish himself as the manager publicly berated him for his positional indiscipline. Robson described him as ‘daft as a brush’ although he certainly had the artistry to paint pictures with his football skills.

By the time the Italian World Cup came around he was firmly ensconced in the midfield and was instrumental in securing England a semi-final berth against Germany. 

While England lost on penalties Gascoigne was captured looking tearful as he collected a yellow card which would have meant he was suspended for the final if England had qualified – images that further endeared him to a sympathetic public.

While he may not have won a gold medal, he did secure a gold disk as his single Fog on the Tyne, a collaborative effort with English folk rock band Lindisfarne, reached Number 2 in the pop charts!

Ahead of Euro 96, a tournament that England was hosting, he was further hung out to dry in the press for his role in the ‘dentist chair’ incident, although many forgave him with a marvellous solo goal against Scotland.

While there were many managers and members of the press who could describe Gascoigne as ‘marmite’ (they either loved him or hated him), his teammates and the fans all loved him. His constant smile and good-natured pranks had a bonding affect on every team he represented.

That was evident at the Bahrain hotel as the hundreds of fans who filled the venue warmed to his every word – and everyone left glowing.







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