Paul Gascoigne is one of the football world's most beloved players. Born in Gateshead in 1967, Gazza won the hearts of the British nation for his performances in the 1980’s and 1990’s and is responsible for some of the most memorable moments in football history.
During his early years, he learned his trade as an explosive footballer whilst attending Breckenbeds Junior High School, then the Heathfield Senior High School, both in the Low Fell area of Gateshead.
A creative midfield player with a keen eye for a tackle joined his boyhood team, Newcastle United, in 1985 and made his debut in a 1-0 win over QPR in April that same year. Gazza quickly became a firm favourite with the fans on the Gallowgate end, and in 1988 the eccentric local lad went on to win PFA Player of the Year and be included in the PFA Team of the Year.
During the 1987/88 campaign, Gascoigne famously clashed with legendary hard-man Vinnie Jones when the Magpies came up against the Crazy Gang at Plough Lane, with the Welsh international grabbing Gazza by the balls, which was caught on camera and has become one of the most iconic photographs of the era.
By 1988, Gazza was on the verge of his first big transfer with Old Trafford and Manchester United set to be his new home until a late offer from Tottenham saw him join Spurs for £2.2m. Later that year he was given his England debut by Bobby Robson, a man who would have a huge impact on his career moving forward.
Fast forward to 1990 and the World Cup in Italy, performances on the pitch and his fun-loving attitude off the field catapulted the mercurial midfielder to global fame,
Gazza-mania hit it heights.
