GAZZA: MY STORY. By Paul Gascoigne

Quite haunting really, to read here how Glenn Hoddle, then England Manager, excluded Paul Gascoigne from the 1998 World Cup finals. Gazza goes into a destructive frenzy, rage and Hoddle says: "The thing is, Gazza, your head is not right". Yet Hoddle and Gazza were birds of the same feather as far as football is concerned; both of them (from slightly different eras) were superb on the pitch with their pin-point passing and devastating free kicks. Alas both of them hardly fulfilled their potential, but due to different reasons. As we see from this book, Gazza was always his own worst enemy. Whilst one might appreciate the "English sense of humour" to a certain extent, Gazza always went too far. And that is an humongous understatement! What type of zany antics are this? one wonders. Unequivocally and disastrously, Gazza often indulges in such bizarre, outrageous antics "jokes" that would certainly not be tolerated in any way in most other climes. Yes, the football talent is always there, but the baggage that goes with it is uncanny; Gazza's irreverence can hardly be excused even from a toddler, and the eerie stunts and jokes...! Yet, it is clear that this is the very essence of Gazza; he is the patent antithesis of a thoroughly professional, disciplined, rational, sensible footballer. In this work he succeeds in portraying himself on a personal level as a monster (including an ‘abuser’).Yet he has his very good side, his extraordinary generosity for one. ‘One of the things that has given me greatest pleasure in my life is having been able to provide nice homes for everyone in my family.’ However he is always glimpsing the precipice! Apparently, a honest, often shocking work...

- O Bolaji