Sadly, Paul Gascoigne has turned down an invitation to attend tonight's Europa League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio, two of his former clubs, at White Hart Lane.
Gazza's troubled career could be encapsulated with that memorable FA Cup run Spurs had in 1991. The highs against Arsenal and Oxford United, with some mesmerising goals, were offset by the low in the final where he ruptured his knee ligaments against Nottingham Forest due to an overly exuberant tackle on Gary Charles. He was never the same player again.
Nevertheless, during his time at Lazio there were some celebratory moments, not least scoring a late equalizer in the Rome derby, which endeared him to the Lazio fans forevermore.
Talking of which, even the Roma fans were fascinated by 'Gazzamania'. James Richardson, who presented Channel 4's Football Italia throughout the 90s, spent some time with the troubled midfielder during his time in Rome and recalled a story where Roma fans were chanting his name as he drove his car through the busy streets of Rome.
"Gazza was seen as a phenomenon during his time in Italy. The viewing public saw him as something from a different planet, not just in footballing terms, but in his behaviour. The fact that Roma fans were singing his name and banging the windows of his car, joyously, shows this. For Roma fans to be so positive about a Lazio player is quite unique."
The England midfielder's talent was certainly unique and he was undoubtedly the greatest footballer England has produced for a generation or more. The fact that this talent was never truly realised is one of great disappointment. For the watching public and for Gazza himself.
Gazza's troubled career could be encapsulated with that memorable FA Cup run Spurs had in 1991. The highs against Arsenal and Oxford United, with some mesmerising goals, were offset by the low in the final where he ruptured his knee ligaments against Nottingham Forest due to an overly exuberant tackle on Gary Charles. He was never the same player again.
Nevertheless, during his time at Lazio there were some celebratory moments, not least scoring a late equalizer in the Rome derby, which endeared him to the Lazio fans forevermore.
Talking of which, even the Roma fans were fascinated by 'Gazzamania'. James Richardson, who presented Channel 4's Football Italia throughout the 90s, spent some time with the troubled midfielder during his time in Rome and recalled a story where Roma fans were chanting his name as he drove his car through the busy streets of Rome.
"Gazza was seen as a phenomenon during his time in Italy. The viewing public saw him as something from a different planet, not just in footballing terms, but in his behaviour. The fact that Roma fans were singing his name and banging the windows of his car, joyously, shows this. For Roma fans to be so positive about a Lazio player is quite unique."
The England midfielder's talent was certainly unique and he was undoubtedly the greatest footballer England has produced for a generation or more. The fact that this talent was never truly realised is one of great disappointment. For the watching public and for Gazza himself.
