World Cup 1990 and the rise of Gazza
IT was a year which saw the resignation of Margaret Thatcher, the re-unification of East and West Germany, and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.
But, for many, 1990 remains vivid in the memory for that year’s dramatic World Cup finals in Italy.
It proved to be England’s best showing in the tournament since 1966 to date.
It also foreshadowed the imminent arrival of the all-powerful Premier League and Sky TV.
Here on Tyneside, the summer of 1990 saw fans of Newcastle United wallowing in despair.
The Magpies’ promotion push that season under the management of the “Bald Eagle” Jim Smith had ended in disaster as a 2-0 home defeat by Sunderland in the play-offs saw the Wearsiders leapfrog the Magpies back into the top flight.
And, as the drama of Italia ‘90 unfolded, downhearted United fans were forced to further ask themselves ‘what if?’
Because, as the England team progressed in thrilling fashion, the Three Lions were driven by a nucleus of three brilliant players who’d all departed St James’ Park in recent seasons.
Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and Paul Gascoigne had all left a club mired in mediocrity in search of success elsewhere.
In the event, with Bobby Robson in the manager’s chair, England battled to the semi-finals, going out on penalties to eventual winners West Germany on an emotion-packed night in Turin. (The Germans would go on to lift the trophy).
Waddle missed a spot-kick, while Gazza famously dissolved into tears and became a national treasure - for the next few years at least.
As for other United players, only recent signing and club captain, Roy Aitken, got the World Cup nod as Scotland bowed out in the group stage after beating Sweden, but losing to Costa Rica and Brazil.
Italia ‘90 will forever be remembered as the defining moment of Paul Gascoigne’s rollercoaster ride with fame and fortune.
For the next few years he was everpresent on the front - and back - pages of Britain’s tabloid newspapers.
Away from football, 1990 was the year when the National Garden Festival was staged in Gateshead.
The festival site was created on 200 acres of derelict land in Dunston and, between May and October that year, three million people visited 200 gardens and 50 exhibitions, in an event which saw the regeneration of former industrial wasteland.
In other news there was trouble brewing for Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her government.
As divisions in her party raged over Europe, and demonstrations over the unpopular poll tax exploded in violence, Thatcher was forced to resign after eleven years in Downing Street.
Elsewhere, following Iraq’s invasion
of Kuwait in August, USA and UK forces were deployed to counter Saddam Hussein’s forces.
As the Cold War threat receded, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to lessen tensions and reform his nation.
1990 also witnessed the Strangeways Prison riots, the shock defeat of world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson by unknown Buster Douglas, and the first showing of the satirical cartoon The Simpsons on television.
If this was the year of Italia ‘90 and Gazza’s tears, a huge but low-key breakthrough was also made - the first ever page on the worldwide web was created. Little did we know how much the internet would impact on us all.