Paul Gascoigne was one of the greatest British football players of his own - or any other - generation. His ability was extraordinary and in full flow he was a joy to behold. Defenders of the highest calibre found themselves powerless to stop him, other than by fouling him - and even then, they had to get to him first!

Paul Gascoigne began his rollercoaster career as a young man playing for his home town team, Newcastle United. Even at this early stage, however, he was no stranger to controversy, his unconventional sportsman's physique and his professed love of Newcastle Brown Ale and Mars Bars leading to top TV pundit Jimmy Greaves labelling him - albeit good naturedly - and regularly referring to him as, "Fat Boy Bamber," in reference to the British quiz show presenter, Bamber Gascoigne.

In 1988, Paul Gascoigne was persuaded to leave his home behind and head south to play for Tottenham Hotspur. Gazza's first two seasons at Spurs were very successful and at the World Cup in Italy in 1990, his tears when England were eliminated on penalty-kicks are still remembered today. In the 1991 FA Cup Final, however, a reckless challenge on Nottingham Forest's Garry Charles saw him severely damage the cruciate ligaments in his right knee and miss the biggest part of the subsequent season.

Gazza moved on again in 1992, this time to try his luck in Italy's Serie A with Rome's Lazio. Britain's Channel 4 began covering Italian football on Sunday afternoons at this time, actually branding the programme, "Gazza's Football Italia." It was a period of mixed fortunes for Paul Gascoigne, however, wirth injury once again blighting his time spent in Italy and just three years later, it was time to once again seek pastures new...

In 1995, Paul Gascoigne shocked many in the footballing world - particularly in England - when he agreed to sign for Rangers in Scotland. It had been anticipated when it became clear that he was to leave Italy that it would be for a high profile Premiership club he would make the move. As he states himself, however, in the video interview to the right, when he heard that Walter Smith (the manager) and Rangers were in for him, there was only one move he was prepared to make.

Gazza received a hero's welcome at Ibrox and although yet again he only remained at the club for three years, he helped them complete the last two legs of the historic "Nine in a Row" to equal that of arch-rivals Celtic two decades previously.

Gazza left Rangers in 1998 for Middlesbrough and subsequently Everton, where he once again teamed up with former Rangers manager, Walter Smith. It was clear, however, that the best years of his career were now behind him and the alcohol problems that had stalked him for more than a decade were becoming ever more profound. As his career flagged, so did his health, and concern grew in footballing circles for the welfare of one of the greatest talents in the game.

Since his final retirement from the game, tragically, Gazza has embarked on an ever downward spiral of booze binges and visits to various clinics in an attempt to dry himself out and sort out his life. He of course remains hounded by the media and his tortuous trials and tribulations appear as front page news with disturbing regularity. It can only be hoped that he can find - first of all - the inner strength to seek the help he needs in the longer term and sort out his problems before it becomes too late...

The cry remains regardless, from his legions of fans everywhere, "There's only one Paul Gascoigne!"