I WANT TO BE HOME AGAIN
Gazza would love a move back to Tyneside
PAUL Gascoigne has revealed he might be ready to return to the North East to live.
The England and Newcastle United legend was given a standing ovation at Dunston’s UTS stadium and looked the part in black and white as he teamed up again with Peter Beardsley and a host of other Toon icons.
A near 500-strong crowd watched a Toon legends team raise money for charity.
Gazza’s latest visit to Tyneside was a well-kept secret and supporters only found out he would be involved 90 minutes before kick-off.
But that was enough time for many fans to get down to the former Tottenham star’s home town to see him in action in the 2017 Pav Cup, played in memory of former United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek.
Gascoigne told the Chronicle: “Every time I come back home, it puts a smile on my face. I’m thinking about moving back home. I think I’ve had enough of Bournemouth now!
“It’s lovely to come back. I just love coming back and hearing Geordie accent again.
“Even when I got the train back, the guy who was serving the tea went ‘Areet wor Gazza!.’”
Gazza will be back in Newcastle next month for a talk-in at St James’ Park in front of another packed house eager to see the player regarded one of the best in the world in the 90s.
The former United star said: “St James’ Park is a great place for me because it’s where I started my career.
“I’ll be giving a talk-in – I’ve done a few before but to do it at the stadium is nice.
“It’s a chance to have bit of banter with the fans.”
Gazza certainly had supporters smiling again during Newcastle legends’ 7-1 win over Felling at Dunston.
He said: “I’ve always had a special affinity with the people up here. At Dunston, they named a stand the ‘Gazza stand’ in 1990.
“I was delighted to see it was packed and then able to have a lit-
It’s lovely to come back. I just love coming back and hearing Geordie accent again Gazza
tle run around to see if I still had it!”
Gazza played around 40 minutes of the 80-minute exhibition game and still showed he had the skills and that knack of pleasing the crowd.
He even weighed in with a goal late in the second half before leaving the field to rich applause.
Gazza reflected: “I miss football badly, even at my age.
“It’s a nice turnout and I enjoyed it. That is always the main thing.
“It was for Pavel really and to raise money for charity.
“It’s good to see a few old teammates. I’m feeling good and enjoying life.
“I heard about the game so I rang Peter Beardsley up and told him I’d come along and enjoy it and see the lads.”
Gazza’s nephew Cameron was also in action for Newcastle and impressed during a big win for the United XI.
Gascoigne senior showed some neat touches and set up a goal for Steve Harper to open the score.
Gazza said: “He’s still a young kid and he enjoys that.
“He’s at Wallsend and he’s enjoying it, I went to watch him train.
“I don’t think he was born when I was playing but it’s good to have the chance to play together.”
The game between Newcastle legends was played in aid of St Oswald’s Hospice and the match was sponsored by UTS Engineering and hairdressing salon Pavel’s.