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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2020 7:51:07 GMT
Bit late to the table, but I watched the Gazza documentary last night.
I have to admit, I hadn't realised the full extent of his story. I'd always (very lazily) assumed he was a player who let all the fame and fortune get to his head, which contributed to his downfall and subsequent falling off the rails.
The documentary is a brilliant (and quite sad) insight into his life.
By the time I was old enough to be properly into football, he was in the twilight of his career, so I didnt really fully appreciate how highly he was regarded within the game and how he good he actually was, in his heyday.
The injuries, and personal struggles, clearly cost him a more lucrative and successful career.
On a personal level, the story of his friend being hit by a car when he was just a kid, and dying in his arms - that was heartbreaking to see him retelling. Quite clearly still harbouring self blame, eating him up inside.
Then the story of his cousin dying of an asthma attack, after seeing Gazza's story in the paper about people with astham still being able to play sport, again, you could still see him carrying that pain and grief on his shoulders. Gut wrenching to see.
What must it be like to carry those demons around for all that time? Football really was his escape. Once that had gone, it wasn't a big leap to the bottle.
On a professional level (and much less important than the above), the injury and missing Spurs lift the FA Cup trophy was another cruel blow. Hearing him speak about it being his dream to lift the FA Cup, and even putting his move to Italy on ice to fulfil it, and then having to watch all his teammates lift the trophy from his hospital bed - yet another kick in the teeth.
And there were his tears in the 1990 World Cup Semi, another example of his emotional trauma and his passion for the game.
Perhaps the worst part of it all though, was the story of the phone hacking. He fell out with his Mum and Dad because he thought they were selling him out. The whole saga led to paranoia and even a sectioning. Can you imagine going through all that? Not knowing who to trust and believing your own Mum and Dad betraying your trust to make a few quid? It would be enough to drive most people to isolation, paranoia and depression.
Years later, it was eventually proven that the media were indeed hacking his phone, by which time the damage was done, and substance abuse as a coping mechanism had taken over.
I'm not suggesting he was an angel, but a young lad from a working class background, who worked incredibly hard to get a break, before slowly working his way to the top and becoming a national hero in the process. Only for the media who originally built him up, being the ones who played a massive part in bringing him to his knees. How are these people not held accountable?
The ones who play up and act the clown are sometimes the ones suffering the most inside.
Very sad indeed.
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Post by spitthedog on May 21, 2020 8:02:12 GMT
Nice appraisal that.
The phone hacking scandal is just shocking really and worst still that they spent millions on an enquiry where all those who engaged in it got completely let off the hook.
Those papers should have all been shut down and those journalists and newspaper owners should be behind bars.
The enquiry was a complete whitewash just because of the money and power those who control the media exert on our Government. Something we should all be aware of.
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 8:20:53 GMT
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Post by sheds1862 on May 21, 2020 8:20:53 GMT
A genius, watching a rerun of the 4-1 v Holland last night he did some outrageous stuff . There is no doubt that the death of his mate as a child fucked his head up . Wouldn't it all of us. Superb player who I had the privilege to see numerous times for England. Hate seeing him how he is now .
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 8:21:42 GMT
Post by elystokie on May 21, 2020 8:21:42 GMT
The phone hacking was an absolute disgrace and has basically robbed him of a large part of his life. It was gaslighting on a massive scale and it doesn't take much googling to see the damage that can do to someone's mentality. Didn't know this was on, I was watching Harry's Heroes, I had a mini mental when Hendrie's goal went in Very harshly judged by some folk but he's well loved by the fans of the teams he played for and by most England fans which I imagine is what matters to him.
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Post by JoeinOz on May 21, 2020 8:32:26 GMT
I writ this about Gascy when it was the 20th anniversary of Turin. www.stoketshirts.co.uk/wordpress/?p=659A point has to be made. The pivotal career moment was the FA Cup Final injury. That was self imposed. He carried out two moments of utter violence. The kick into Parkers chest was vile.
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Post by mrcoke on May 21, 2020 8:38:57 GMT
Brilliant player.
It was not just his ball skill that set him apart, but he also had an amazing vision for a pass, whether it was to make the pass or run into a position to receive a defence splitting pass.
His weakness was defending so he would not get into a lot of managers' team, and was often guilty of giving away free kicks in dangerous positions.
He carried a lot of weight, it that way he reminded me of Joe Baker, but he was still incredible nimble of his feet.
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 8:41:20 GMT
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Post by Cast no shadow on May 21, 2020 8:41:20 GMT
Hoddle should've took him to France
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Post by JoeinOz on May 21, 2020 8:53:56 GMT
Hoddle should've took him to France No chance.
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Post by werrington on May 21, 2020 9:17:48 GMT
Gascogne was quite possibly the best player in the world prior to his ligaments injury in 1991
But for that injury I’m more than confident he’d now be talked about in the same breath as Zidane as like him he had the lot
But in typical British style the media and the jealous general public resented everything about a working class lad from a council house background having the fame, money and lifestyle he had and crucified him
Thank fuck they’ve all learned their lesson eh ....oh hang on
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Post by werrington on May 21, 2020 9:22:31 GMT
The Maradona film was another eye opener
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 9:23:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2020 9:23:10 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero.
We'll never see another Gazza.
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 10:26:13 GMT
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Post by GeneralFaye on May 21, 2020 10:26:13 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero. We'll never see another Gazza. Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far.
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Post by werrington on May 21, 2020 10:34:13 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero. We'll never see another Gazza. Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. How can you think it’s a bit far if you never saw him at his best? He had everything ...Rooney is/was a fantastic player but every now and again somebody that little bit special trundles into town and that was Paul Gascogne He was that good
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Post by fulagoals on May 21, 2020 10:34:42 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero. We'll never see another Gazza. Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. This is a serious answer. Both in their prime, Rooney couldn’t lace Gazza’s boots. Fact.
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Post by neckender78 on May 21, 2020 10:43:05 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero. We'll never see another Gazza. Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. No comparison Gazza is the best English footballer I have ever seen. Although not quick the way he could just glide past players with the ball was incredible, vision, touch, dribbling, range of passing, shooting he had the lot. Rooney nowhere near. Really enjoyed the old FA Cup and world cup classics that have been shown of late. Can now appreciate some fantastic players England produced Hoddle, Waddle, Barnes, Robson. Even watching Harry's heros imagining Le Tissier, Sheringham and Merson in the same team at their prime all fantastic skilfully top class players.
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Post by werrington on May 21, 2020 10:58:30 GMT
Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. No comparison Gazza is the best English footballer I have ever seen. Although not quick the way he could just glide past players with the ball was incredible, vision, touch, dribbling, range of passing, shooting he had the lot. Rooney nowhere near. Really enjoyed the old FA Cup and world cup classics that have been shown of late. Can now appreciate some fantastic players England produced Hoddle, Waddle, Barnes, Robson. Even watching Harry's heros imagining Le Tissier, Sheringham and Merson in the same team at their prime all fantastic skilfully top class players. They were indeed excellent players mate but that’s just what they were, excellent ....of which there’s hundreds Gascogne though was a different level and but for that injury and his mental health he’d now be spoken about with the likes of Zidane etc
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2020 11:02:04 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero. We'll never see another Gazza. Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. Not in the same post code mate. Gascoigne is the best English player of my generation. Fast forward to 2:30 on the video below. Gerrard's words say it all.
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Post by lordb on May 21, 2020 11:07:00 GMT
Hoddle should've took him to France No chance. He took Rob Lee instead who didn't play a single minute.
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Post by lordb on May 21, 2020 11:09:32 GMT
So sad to see how it turned out. Growing up in that era I always wanted to be like him on the pitch. He was and remains my true footballing hero. We'll never see another Gazza. Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. Miles better and I'm a Rooney fan. By Euro 96 although he was still ace injuries had affected him Pre 1991 cup final he was top. Best English player since Bobby Charlton. Had he been managed by Alex Ferguson perhaps his career and life would have been completely different?
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Post by dexta on May 21, 2020 11:16:33 GMT
Gazza was by far the best football player to come out England...
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 11:19:58 GMT
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Post by JoeinOz on May 21, 2020 11:19:58 GMT
Only really remember Gazza at the end of his career, World Cup 98 was the first tournament I have memories from so missed Euro 96. Anyway my question is, was he better than Rooney for example? Both players in their prime?.. never see another Gazza again in terms of the whole package on and off the pitch I agree with, on the pitch? Think it's a bit far. Miles better and I'm a Rooney fan. By Euro 96 although he was still ace injuries had affected him Pre 1991 cup final he was top. Best English player since Bobby Charlton. Had he been managed by Alex Ferguson perhaps his career and life would have been completely different? I don't think so. Ferguson was within the width of a gnats bollock of signing him in 1988. But Spurs promised buy his parents a house and that was that. Ferguson would've done all he could to contain the erratic side of Gazza but it wouldn't have lasted long. He didn't tolerate much tomfoolery.
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Post by Seymour Beaver on May 21, 2020 11:26:49 GMT
Gazza was by far the best football player to come out England... 'Best' is always subjective. However in his prime he was one of the few players I would I would have wanted to go and watch play whoever they were playing for.
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 11:29:19 GMT
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Post by lordb on May 21, 2020 11:29:19 GMT
Miles better and I'm a Rooney fan. By Euro 96 although he was still ace injuries had affected him Pre 1991 cup final he was top. Best English player since Bobby Charlton. Had he been managed by Alex Ferguson perhaps his career and life would have been completely different? I don't think so. Ferguson was within the width of a gnats bollock of signing him in 1988. But Spurs promised buy his parents a house and that was that. Ferguson would've done all he could to contain the erratic side of Gazza but it wouldn't have lasted long. He didn't tolerate much tomfoolery. Maybe He would have been far more hands on than Venables (who managed him very well footballing wise).
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Post by logdog on May 21, 2020 11:36:17 GMT
Gascoigne was the best English player I have seen. Could do the lot - pass, tackle, shoot, take set pieces, head a ball that rare commodity for an English player, go past an opponent. Got to see him in his prime for Spurs at the old Baseball Ground against Derby and he absolutely ran the show. It was like he was having a kick about in the park and he was on a different level. The thing that stood out most to me was his strength though, he was an absolute beast & players were just bouncing off him as they tried to get to the ball. World class. Rooney looked like he might have been in those first few years, but just ended up being pretty good...
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 11:50:49 GMT
Post by JoeinOz on May 21, 2020 11:50:49 GMT
I don't think so. Ferguson was within the width of a gnats bollock of signing him in 1988. But Spurs promised buy his parents a house and that was that. Ferguson would've done all he could to contain the erratic side of Gazza but it wouldn't have lasted long. He didn't tolerate much tomfoolery. Maybe He would have been far more hands on than Venables (who managed him very well footballing wise). Footballingly Venables was great with him. The mistake he made was after the World Cup he encouraged the extra curricular activities when he should have done all he could to get him to keep away from the public eye and conserve energy. But he’d have been hard to handle.
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Post by outspaced on May 21, 2020 12:03:10 GMT
There's plenty of highlights on YouTube of Gascoigne, he was at his best picking the ball up deep and then off he goes, great close control to go past players. You could see them panicking. Good example is against Belgium in 90 where he does exactly that starts to look dangerous and then he's brought down. Gets up and delivers the ball to Platt for the winner. He ran the show against the Dutch in the group game. Still waiting for another talent like him. Was he just a one off?
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 12:07:31 GMT
Post by JoeinOz on May 21, 2020 12:07:31 GMT
He took Rob Lee instead who didn't play a single minute. But Lee was capable of playing. Gazza wasn’t.
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Post by werrington on May 21, 2020 12:07:36 GMT
There's plenty of highlights on YouTube of Gascoigne, he was at his best picking the ball up deep and then off he goes, great close control to go past players. You could see them panicking. Good example is against Belgium in 90 where he does exactly that starts to look dangerous and then he's brought down. Gets up and delivers the ball to Platt for the winner. He ran the show against the Dutch in the group game. Still waiting for another talent like him. Was he just a one off? That performance v Holland was one of the best midfielder performance ever at a World Cup ....they couldn’t handle him
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 12:12:58 GMT
Post by JoeinOz on May 21, 2020 12:12:58 GMT
There's plenty of highlights on YouTube of Gascoigne, he was at his best picking the ball up deep and then off he goes, great close control to go past players. You could see them panicking. Good example is against Belgium in 90 where he does exactly that starts to look dangerous and then he's brought down. Gets up and delivers the ball to Platt for the winner. He ran the show against the Dutch in the group game. Still waiting for another talent like him. Was he just a one off? That performance v Holland was one of the best midfielder performance ever at a World Cup ....they couldn’t handle him It’s like he was introducing himself to the world. Against Ireland he played poorly, like everyone else. But v Netherlands he influenced the game well and showed rare control. A lack of control is something that’s dogged his entire life.
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Gazza
May 21, 2020 14:09:17 GMT
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Post by numpty40 on May 21, 2020 14:09:17 GMT
The Maradona film was another eye opener Really enjoyed the Maradona series. I genuinely didn't know how it worked out for him in Mexico so just binged the last 3 episodes in one night.
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