A cosmic kite! What planet did you come from? ibid. commentary post-second goal against England, Mexico World Cup 1986
In Naples drugs were everywhere. And from there I took more and more. ibid. Maradona
He suffered from sciatic and lower back pain. He would get five injections in different places so he could play the next day. ibid. wife
As a mad-man, no-one can beat me. ibid. Maradona
The anti-doping analysis supposedly revealed traces of banned substances. ibid. TV commentator
Shadwell Town fans call their ground The Kennel. Their nickname’s The Dogs. I.D. 1995 starring Reece Dinsdale & Richard Graham & Perry Fenwick & Philip Glenister & Warren Clarke & Claire Skinner & Saskia Reeves & Sean Pertwee & Charles De’Ath & Lee Ross & Terry Cole et al, director Phil Davis, chief rozzer
Try looking at yourself in the mirror. You’re a fucking hooligan, John. ibid. Trevor
Ooo, you’re not like all the rest. ibid. barmaid Linda to John
Paul Gascoigne is the special one. Gascoigne, Mourinho, 2015
Part of his genius, part of his magnificence, is the fact that he is so vulnerable. ibid. Lineker
I stopped developing twitches and making stupid noises … I started the psychiatrist early. ibid.
On his 16th birthday Gascoigne signed as an apprentice for Newcastle United. ibid. caption
On 20th February 1988 Gascoigne played his first match against Wimbledon. ibid.
Gascoigne signed for Tottenham Hotspur in June 1988 for a record-breaking British transfer fee of £2.2m. ibid.
I loved it at Spurs. My time there was fantastic. ibid. Gascoigne
Gary Lineker’s got a woman’s body. It’s so smooth. ibid.
He’s a kind fellow and he’s got a lot of heart and warmth. ibid. Terry Venables
Manager Bobby Robson led the England team into the Italia FIFA World Cup. ibid. caption
England v West Germany, World Cup semi-final 4th July 1990: ‘He’s [Lineker] stolen it! … Wonderful comeback.’ ibid. commentary
Penalty Shootout: England 3 - 4 West Germany. ibid. caption
During the 1990-91 season Spurs was in financial crisis with debts of over £18m. The only way to save the club was to sell its most valuable asset. ibid.
As Gascoigne was admitted to hospital, Spurs secured an FA Cup victory beating Nottingham Forest 2-1. ibid.
After eight months of intensive physical rehabilitation Gascoigne was fit to play again. ibid.
In July 1995 Gascoigne signed for Rangers on a record transfer fee of £4.3m. ibid.