November 27 – Paul Gascoigne (pictured) today claimed that the North-East should have two venues involved in staging matches if England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup is successful.
The former England and Tottenham Hotspur star was part of a star-studded delegation who travelled to Wembley Stadium yesterday to present a proposal from Newcastle-Gateshead to be part of the country’s bid.
But he also backed Sunderland, Newcastle’s greatest rivals, who have put forward their own proposal centered on the Stadium of Light.
Gascoigne said: ”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’.
“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 – [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.”
But it is just not the quality of the stadium at St James’ Park that Gascoigne believes means it must be part of England’s bid.
He said: ”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, capped 57 times by England in a career that last between 1988 and 1998, has struggled since he stopped playing due to problems with alcohol but is now working at Newcastle United’s Academy.
He said: ”I know I’ve had my ups and downs, but the North-East people have always cared.
“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.”