#Gazza - 30 Years of Memories
The greatest footballer our regions ever produced?
The biggest waste of talent.....who self-destructs?
Those tears at Italia 90. That celebration during Euro 96. Whatever you think about him, Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne has been a part of all our lives. Today marks exactly 30 years since he made his debut Newcastle United. Back then, 13th April 1985, a fresh faced 17-year-old came on as a second-half substitute against Queens Park Rangers.
Bet he wishes he had a different hair style back then though...
It was clear to all who watched that Gazza was something different, the world was literally at his feet.
In 1988 he was named PFA Young Player of the Year and after playing 99 games for Newcastle, scoring 25 goals, he moved to Tottenham for just over £2M.
Just 2 years later "Gazzamania" swept through the UK - in Bobby Robson's England side Gazza was pivotal - he helped England to the Italia 90 World Cup semi-final, a booking in that match against Germany, who eventually won on penalties, meant he would have missed the Final, the tears that were felt around the world came.
In 1991 Italy was calling again, this time Lazio picked up the midfielder for £5.5M, but due to injuries he didn't make his debut till a year later.
After 2 more injury plagued seasons the now 28 year old heads to Scotland for a new challenge, Rangers picked him up for £4.3M in 1995.
If we skip forward to the year BritPop ruled the airwaves we all remember that sweltering summer of 1996.
An alcohol-related "dentist-chair" stunt in a Hong Kong bar during England's Euro 96 preparations puts Gazza on the front pages of the newspapers back in Britain.
But we'll remember more that amazing goal against Scotland at Wembley. England, under Terry Venables and with Gazza prominent, reached the semi-finals but go out to Germany on penalties once more.
After 3 eventful years in Scotland Paul moved back to the North East - The Boro paid over £3M for his services in 1998.
With a World Cup in France looming England's new boss Glenn Hoddle decides not to take Gazza citing fitness concerns, it's widely believed though his off-field antics were the real reason behind the drop.
After 2 more eventful years and stints battling drink and mental health issues Gazza joins his former Rangers manager Walter Smith at Everton in 2000 on a free transfer.
That was the last time he played in the Premier League - the following years saw various battles off the field with documented problems, various lower league teams joined and quickly left.
Between then and now in 2015 Gazza has been in and out of the press for various reasons.
We want to remember Gazza the player, the Geordie who took on the world in 90' and 96' and almost won.
If you've got memories of Paul share them on our twitter - we're @MetroRadioNews