Paul Gascoigne made a surprise appearance in a charity game for St Oswald’s Hospice in Gateshead at the weekend.
The 50-year-old has been plagued with both mental and physical health issues since retiring from football.
However, lining out for a Newcastle Legends side, the England icon looked in decent shape, and even managed to score a cheeky goal.
The game, nicknamed the ‘Pav Cup’ in memory of Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek, who died away in December 2015, saw a number of former Toon stars take part.
Peter Beardsley, Keith Gillespie, Steve Howey and Steve Harper all lined out in the game which drew a 500-strong crowd. However, Gazza was undoubtedly the main attraction.
Playing 15 minutes of the first half , Gascoigne then played again after the break, rolling back the years with this impudent goal…
Paul Gascoigne and Steve Harper showing to how its done #pavelCup pic.twitter.com/5Amm5jdVTT
— NUFC Fans United (@NUFCFansUtd) July 9, 2017
The Toon legends would ultimately win the 80-minute game 7-1, with Gillespie bagging a hat-trick.
After the game, Gascoigne told the Chronicle:
I miss football badly, even at my age.
It’s a nice turnout and I enjoyed it. That is always the main thing.
It was for Pavel really and to raise money for charity.
It’s good to see a few old team-mates. I’m feeling good and enjoying life.
I heard about the game so I rang Peter Beardsley up and told him I’d come along and enjoy it and see the lads.
How lovely it is to see Gascoigne looking well and sounding positive, and doing what he did best, bringing joy to us all on the football pitch.
And what a nice way to remember Pavel Srnicek too.