GAZZA WAS TERRIFIED!

THE terrified look on a young Paul Gascoigne’s face after being spotted with a mountain of Mars bars and crisps revealed how he feared getting caught by Jack Charlton.

Big Jack was the Newcastle United manager and Gazza (below) was the chubby rising star of the youth team.

Charlton was aware of the precocious skills of the teenage midfielder but also knew about his excessive eating.

Poking at an expanding stomach one day he had warned a tearful Gascoigne if he didn’t improve his diet and shape up he would be shown the door.

So no wonder Gazza pleaded with me after I spotted him coming out a shop near the training ground with his forbidden goodies: “Don’t tell the gaffer – he’ll go mad.”

It cost him a couple of Mars bars but I agreed the fear in his face proved how much it mattered.

World Cup-winner

Charlton had been persuaded to take the Newcastle job in 1984 by Toon legend Jackie Milburn, following Arthur Cox’s departure.

It was a short-lived stay, although under his watch a Gascoigne-inspired side won the FA Youth Cup.

The trophy was secured against Watford although Big Jack didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when Vicarage Road chairman Elton John entered the victorious dressing room to congratulate the Toon youngsters.

From the bath Gazza led the chorus of “Elton, Elton, give us a song!”.

Charlton had promised the youngsters a slap-up steak meal on the way home to Newcastle if they won the trophy. Noted for being a bit tight with the cash he opted for burgers all round at Burger King.

As a reporter covering the Toon, I found famous angler Big Jack could be hard to catch – but good copy, and fantastic craic.