More damage than the FA Cup tackle? Yesterday
The biggest impact from an England star so far this week appears to have been made in a taxi rank on Tyneside. Paul Gascoigne has been involved in an accident on Newcastle Quayside, in which a taxi rank signpost was destroyed. Allegations of drink driving have been made against the female driver. Fortunately it appears no one was seriously hurt.
Poor old Gazza has been cursed through his life with sublime skills and joyful childishness in equal measure, making him the ideal party companion, which in turn makes him his own worst enemy. I fear he may get more headlines in the coming months for worse offences than wearing plastic tits or telling Norway to fuck off.
No sign of Paul Rogers, but this is bad company.
I’d heard, as I’m sure many of you have, rumors of him drinking around the North East in recent months. I’ve thought for a while that the only possible saviour of Gazza from himself would be a change in the company he keeps, but it seems he may be carrying on down the road the fans watched George Best go down. I don’t want to see Newcastle Airport renamed in similar circumstances, but there’s a feeling of inevitability about his journey that I wish wasn’t there.
I know he’s had mental health issues, I just hope someone comes to his rescue. I don’t think he’s strong enough to do it himself.
He’s given me not just some of the best football moments I’ve ever witnessed, but some of the best laughs. Here’s to the better times, raise a glass (of pop) to Gazza’s return to health, and keep your fingers crossed it’s not just wishful thinking.