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It is all a far cry from the Gascoigne that arrived at Turf Moor in March of last year proclaiming that he already had offers to return to the Premiership for the 2002/03 season. He was very much in demand but it was only him saying it.
He last played in this country for the Clarets as a substitute against Coventry and then we had the embarrassing period when England’s finest player in years touted himself around looking for a job.
The only English sides that appeared more than keen to sign him were Darlington, Exeter and Morpeth and things became desperate when teams in both America and New Zealand turned him down.
In the end though he joined Giansu Tiamna although things haven’t gone too well. The season was suspended because of the Sars virus and in any case Gazza had gone to America apparently suffering from depression.
He is, we are led to believe, all ready to go back to China but the Unprofessionals’ manager Carlton Palmer (rated by Palmer as one of the top managers in the game) is all ready to offer him a chance to play his football under the flight path from Manchester airport.
"I would have no worries signing Gazza and I know he wouldn't let anyone down," Palmer said.
"He has a great presence and would murder the Second Division. Having him at the club would also have a positive effect on the other players. Paul still has a tremendous ability and I wouldn't have any problems getting him fit."
After over a year without any serious competitive football and at the age of 36 Palmer must be the only person who thinks that Gazza can be fit enough to play in the Second Division of the Football League.
My wish would be that he retires and we can just remember that great player from the 1990 World Cup.