Gazza wants a double World Cup success (From The Northern Echo)

Gazza wants a double World Cup success

9:51am Friday 27th November 2009

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PAUL Gascoigne last night urged the Football Association to select Newcastle-Gateshead and Sunderland as two of the host venues for the 2018 World Cup, and thanked the people of the North-East for helping him get his life back on track.

Gascoigne was part of a star-studded delegation that descended on Wembley Stadium yesterday to promote NewcastleGateshead’s attempts to be included in the official 2018 bid document that the FA will submit to FIFA next May.

Fifteen cities are competing for the right to host World Cup matches in nine years time, with the FA expected to select around ten when they make their final decision on Wednesday, December 16.

Interviews with Paul Gascoigne and Niall Quinn

Gascoigne knows all about playing in a World Cup, having helped England reach the semi-finals of Italia 90 before his tears preceded a penalty shoot-out defeat to West Germany.

And the former England and Newcastle United midfielder claims it would be a travesty if an English World Cup was not to feature matches at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

“It’s about everyone getting together now and saying, ‘Let’s get the World Cup in England, and let’s get matches at Newcastle and Sunderland,”

said Gascoigne, who won 57 international caps in a career that spanned a decade between 1988 and 98.

“Everyone in the Gateshead and Newcastle area wants this bid to succeed.

“You just have to look at the number of great players who have turned up to support it today – (Alan) Shearer, (David) Ginola, (Peter) Beardsley...

and myself obviously!

“The fans are fanatical about anything to do with football, and Newcastle is a great city to be in.

“You ask anyone from anywhere in the world, and they all want to come and have a night out in Newcastle.

“It’s great for nightlife now, so just imagine what it will be like if you have people from all over the world there.

“The Brazilian fans are supposed to bring the samba – but it’s samba night every night in Newcastle.

“If you had a World Cup in Newcastle and Gateshead, you wouldn’t be able to beat that. It’s about time we all got together and started making our case.”

Gascoigne’s presence at Wembley was a major coup for the NewcastleGateshead bid team, and the troubled midfielder charmed supporters and FA officials alike with his trademark wit and banter.

The 42-year-old has suffered a string of problems relating to his former alcoholism, including his sectioning under the Mental Health Act in February 2008.

But having accepted a job as part of the coaching staff at Newcastle United’s Academy, he claims to have turned his life around, and insists the transformation would not have been possible without the support of the North-East public.

“I know I’ve had my ups and downs, but the North-East people have always cared,” he said. “When I see them walking down the street, I love the chance to talk them. If I’m feeling down, I talk to people and it always picks me back up.

“I’m enjoying life at the minute and doing well. I train with the kids at Newcastle’s Academy every day, and really enjoy it.

“I’m happy every day I wake up, and being part of something like this bid team is brilliant for me.”

Gascoigne remains a Newcastle United supporter, but his role with the club’s Academy means he rarely gets the chance to watch the current crop of senior players in action.

“I haven’t seen too many games recently because I’m involved with the Academy, so I’m watching them play most Saturday mornings,” he said.

“I also enjoying watching my little nephew, Cameron, play.

“He’s an Academy player and I love watching him. He’s already a great little player and he says he’s going to be better than me, so I’m a bit worried.”

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