There’s nothing really that can be said about the legendary Paul Gascoigne that hasn’t already been said, he is the local boy done good and so much more.

Born in Dunston, Gateshead, fifty years ago, Gazza, as he became more affectionately known is the epitome of the phrase ‘cult hero,’ and not just for one club. He became such an icon that Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and even England, hold him in such high esteem.

Brilliant on the field his talent knew no bounds.

Described as being ‘the best naturally gifted English midfielder of his generation’ Gazza wooed the nation at the World Cup in Italy in 1990, then again six years later, on home soil, at Euro 96. At his peak he was brilliant, not at his peak and he could still turn a game in an instant – blink and he’ll have done something.

For Gazza, and for his hometown club, Newcastle United, it all began back in the mid-eighties, when, following a goalless draw in the first leg of the final against Watford, Gazza, and Joe Allon, lit up the second to such aplomb that the Magpies ran out 4-1 winners and Gazza scoring a spectacular 30 yarder setting the benchmark for a brilliant career.

Making his Newcastle debut against Queens Park Rangers as a substitute for George Reilly in 1985 the cheeky Geordie stayed for three seasons before London, and Tottenham Hotspur, came calling with a £2.2 million pound deal. Whilst at the Lane he won the FA Cup in 1991 against Nottingham Forest before a big money move to Italy.

Although he never fully settled in the Italian whilst in the blue of Lazio he did enjoy a fifth place finish in Serie A in his first full season under the legendary Dino Zoff. It was in Scotland, with Rangers, or pulling on the three lions for England that he was most successful though and Walter Smith took him to Ibrox for a then Gers record £4.3 million in the summer of 1995 making himself an instant hero in just his fifth game scoring at Celtic Park in the Old Firm derby.

Whilst in the blue half of Glasgow Gazza would claim two Scottish league titles, a Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup as he again stayed for three, relatively enjoyable and successful season before moving back to the north-east under Bryan Robson and Middlesbrough then a brief spell on Merseyside at Everton.

Earning nearly 60 caps for England Gazza picked up numerous individual accolades during a playing career that would span twenty years including being inducted into English Football’s Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rangers Hall of Fame in 2006; Gazza, alongside that of Bobby Moore, Michael Owen and David Beckham, is one of only four England internationals to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year, the Geordie legend claiming the honour after THAT World Cup in 1990

Now, for One Night Only, Gazza will be returning home to St James Park for a very special evening in the Nine Bar courtesy of Newcastle Legends and Pavel’s Hairdressers on Thursday August 17. Tickets are available now from the Legends EVENT PAGE starting at £50 for entry only.