Gazza
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 12:36AM I idolised him. Was obsessed when he was at Newcastle. Happiest day of my life when he choose us over Manchester United. World Cup Italia. The FA Cup run of '91 (I didn't miss a game). He single-handedly dragged us to the final (probably saving the club itself in a roundabout way during our season of financial meltdown) before imploding at Wembley. That was some year of emotion.
Daft as a brush, erratic and a fruitloop he was never quite the same player after he left us for Italy, always struggling with injuries and his choice of transfer destinations. I prefer to remember his time in Lilywhite. Wasn't long but was certainly magical.
Happy belated birthday (it was yesterday, shame on me for missing it).
I'm pulling an all-nighter (baby is basically redefining the art of tantrums and is refusing to sleep), hence the random filler blog article. With thanks to Nelto on GG otherwise I would have missed Paul's 44th completely, rather than by a day.
Reader Comments (20)
Walking down Wembley way singing "you've lost that Double feeling", seeing grown men cry and a police line separating us through the tunnel.
What a great day.
A true Tottenham legend.
gascoigne was a true one off. he was of his time and epitomised the spirit of what english football should be about when he was at his best. he could do things effortlessly that others dream about. he could make fellow professional footballers look like they belong on the marshes with a moment of simple yet sensational genius. i sincerely hope he frees himself of himself. gazza was more than a player. he was a fucking idol to countless millions of youngsters watching him at the time, myself included. will always hold a very special and unique place in tottenham's and england's history, and also within the foundations of my love for this game. long live Paul Gascoigne. get well soon.
Gazza - Irritating, Irrestistible, Irrepressible, Magical, Magnificent, Ballsey, Brilliant, Brave, Cantankerous, Champion, Destructive, Uncompromising, Uncanny, Unbelievable, Unfogettable, Unsurpassed...and the last one GLORIOUS. Probably left a few out.
The Pride and Sorrow of White Hart Lane.
One of the most memorable days of my life FA cup semi final at wemblry against them Gazzas free kick.... his run over to the bench after that wonder strike and what he said to Terry " He only tried to save it^ God bless Paul Gascoingne so many good memories but that one the best of all
Gazza, the son God doesn't talk about!
What a player. The pace, the control, the running off the ball, the wizadry and that irrepressible sense of mischief. A true world class player and what wouldn't we give to have him back at his best. Messi, eat your heart out.
Happy Birthday Gazza...please get well soon.
Don't quite make them like that any more.
Best player in a spurs shirt since Hoddle and one of the best players ever to play central midfield; in the same class as Hoddle, Platini, Maradona, etc. Seeing him pay again made me realise that as talented as Modric is he's not a patch on Gazza. If he was playing now he'd be giving Messi a run for his money thats for sure. I only hope he can sort himself out...
I could watch this video forever and not get bored. Tina Turner summed it up perfectly!
When pundits are raving about the quite magnificent Barcelona team in the Champions League final this evening, they'll surely note their most devastating quality - they make it impossible for the opposition to win the ball back. Gazza posed the same problem - single handedly. Spurs, and England, will never see a hero who represents/defines them quite like him again
Wow, that brings back so many good memories from when I went week in/out! The guy was simply a legend on the pitch and no-one could get near him.
I hope he gets himself sorted! COYS
As good as Messi is, watching that vid Gazza makes him look ordinary. A truly great player who would be pricless in todays game. Ledgend COYS
What a player. What a privilege to see him, from the first game against Reading in a pre season friendly. So many memories. In that film were 2 of the free kicks he scored in a hat trick against Derby at home. He even told Shilton where he was going to put the last one and then put it right there with Shilton just groping fresh air.
I love what he said after the semi against Arse. Chatting to Venables, he says 'hey Tel did you see Seaman, did you see him... he only tried to save it!!' Gazza then just laughs and walks off - brilliant. Pure class, a real player for the fans
im not one for believing in conspiracy theory but the way that he got "injured" in that game for the same tackle on the same player after completely missing gary charles the 1st time,still has has wiff of Irving scholar about it.then for the chairman to come out and say " ive got a good deal for the club,he may never play again!".11m for the best player in the world at that time??
Totally agree with positive comments above. Gazza took a game by the scruff of the neck. He wanted to destroy the opposition - but with a smile on his face. How many PL players currently display that talent and intent when they are in possession ? Rooney - at his best - does a pale imitation of what Gazza could do with ease. Wish him all the best.
Impossible to add anything to the tributes already posted - just want to be associated with all of them.
What did the Lazio president call him? A warrior with the face of a baby?
Harry should show that video to all the Spurs teams before their training sessions and matches, just to show them the standard that we the fans expect, but sadly don't get anymore.
Messi. The best SINCE GAZZA
I'm looking forward to meeting him on my birthday in July.
Top class player for whom the world was sadly shattered following one silly challenge......