Legend: Gazza poses during Euro 96 (Picture: REXMAILPIX)

In ITV’s documentary ‘Being Paul Gascoigne’ the former Newcastle, Tottenham and Lazio star talks candidly about his on-going problems with alcohol and vows to keep on trying to overcome his demons.

But, with his tragic personal problems now dominating almost every Gazza article, story or interview you see, it’s easy to forget just what joy he brought to those who watched him in his pomp during the late eighties and nineties.

With his dazzlingly quick feet, precision passing and amazing vision of the game around him, the cheeky Geordie with a smile as wide as the River Tyne was arguably the most talented footballer ever produced on these shores.



So, rather than just focus on the all too bleak present, why not enjoy the memories he gave every football fan of that era? With that in mind, here are our top five Gazza moments.


Ouch: Vinnie Jones gets to grips with Gazza (Picture: Action Images)

Vinnie grabs him in the nether regions

It was 1988 and a young Gascoigne was already making quite a reputation as a burgeoning talent for Newcastle. During the Magpies visit to Plough Lane to take on Wimbeldon’s ‘Crazy Gang’, Jones’ was given the task of man-marking the Toon’s twenty-year-old hero – giving us the iconic image of Vinnie grabbing Gazza’s privates. Gascoigne later sent Jones a bunch of roses as a mark of appreciation. In return, Jones sent Gazza a toilet brush.

Out Cruyffing the Dutch

There can be no doubt about the tournament that heralded Gascoigne as a true world star. The 23-year-old was not even sure of his place in Bobby Robson’s starting line-up before Italia 90 began, but his performances in the competition nearly led England to World Cup glory. His showing against the Dutch, and in particular his Cruyff turn that left two Holland defenders for dead, was simply magic and had English schoolboys up and down the country mimicking the famous bit of skill for months and years to follow.

The crying game: Gazza in flods of tears after England lost on penalties to Germany in 1990 (Picture: Billy Stickland /Allsport)

Tears in Turin

Of course we all know how the story ended. A booking for the overly eager Gazza in the semi-final against the Germans ruled him out of a potential final and led Gary Linker to urge Sir Bobby to ‘have a word with him’. Yet, even with his eyes filled with salty tears Gazza still managed to fight on and help England force penalties against their old enemy. He may have left the Turin pitch crying his eyes out that night, but he returned home a national treasure.

FA Cup semi-final free-kick v Arsenal

Having now cemented himself as the greatest English player of his generation, Gazza was playing in his biggest domestic game to date – the 1991 FA Cup semi-final for Tottenham against fierce north London rivals Arsenal. With just five minutes gone on the clock, Spurs were awarded a free-kick a good 35 yards out from goal. Some may have expected Gazza just to float one into the box for his team-mates to throw their head at. Instead he unleashed an unstoppable drive that arrowed past the despairing dive of David Seaman and into the top corner of the net. Spurs went on to wrap up a 3-1 win.



Scotland wonder-goal at Euro 96

With his age, injuries and off-field antics beginning to catch up with him, Gazza was not quite at his dynamic best by 1996. But that didn’t stop the midfield genius providing the hosts supporters with the moment of the tournament. The ball bounced to him on the corner of the box, with one clever touch he looped it over Colin Hendry’s head and volleyed low into the corner to beat his Rangers team-mate Andy Goram and wrap up a 2-0 victory. The dentist chair celebration that followed just hammered home another golden Gazza memory.