Paul Gascoigne Biography

Paul Gascoigne was one of the most talented and naturally gifted players of his generation. At his best, he mesmorised spectators with his dazzling skills and audacity on the ball. He was often compared to the flawed genius of George Best, and like George Best he has also struggled with life off of the pitch - in particular he has struggled with a persistent drinking problem.

Paul Gascoigne enjoyed a meteroric rise to fame as one of the most promising English players of the 1980s. He soon found a place in the English football team and played a key role in guiding England to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup. His booking in this game created a memorable moment, as realising he would be banned from the final he struggled to hold back the tears. It was a highly charged game with England eventually losing on penalties to old rivals Germany. As it happened England didn't make the final but the image of Gary Linekar putting an arm round the shoulder of Paul Gascoigne at this fateful moment was a memorable image from the final.

Like many talented genius' he had many weaknesses and this often made newspaper headlines as well as his skills on the ball.

His playing career fizzled out due to problems with health, often related to drinking. For a brief time he flirted with managing but this didn't last and mutual consent he left management. Unfortunately, after retiring his drink and mental health problems deteriorated and at various times he has required hospital treatment.