Paul Gascoigne has sent a message of love and support to former England manager Kevin Keegan, revealing a humorous yet embarrassing story from his early days at Newcastle United. The football legend, now 59, recalled how he once lost one of Keegan's boots while working as an apprentice at the club.
Gazza's Boot Mishap
In an exclusive interview near his home in Dorset, Gascoigne said: 'I send him love and best wishes. It was back in the 80s, before I made my debut for Newcastle so I was just a teenager. You were given jobs to do at the training ground and I had to clean Kevin's boots. One day I took them home to show my dad because I was so excited to be doing it and I lost one of them along the way.'
Gascoigne's late father John accompanied him to St James' Park to apologise to Keegan and help search for the missing boot, but it was never found. Keegan, however, took the incident in good spirits. 'He pretended to be angry at first for a laugh but then said, "Don't worry, I've plenty of boots". You can imagine how embarrassing it was losing one of his boots. What a player he was, he gave everything, and what a man. Please send him my love,' Gazza added.
Keegan's Cancer Battle
Keegan, 75, revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. During an appearance at Newcastle's New Tyne Theatre and Opera House last month, he spoke about his treatment. 'They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got. Which is stage four cancer. He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn't be walking alone, if you know what I mean,' Keegan told the audience.
He joked about not being fit enough to form a dream strike partnership with Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, but expressed his desire to return to St James' Park next season for the first time since his managerial spell in 2008. 'I want to say goodbye. I didn't get the chance when I left the club last time,' he said, adding that he does not want a statue at the stadium. 'My statue is the way people receive me.'
Support from Terry Butcher
Former England captain Terry Butcher, who played alongside Gascoigne at Italia '90, also sent messages of support to Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool and Scotland legend who recently confirmed his own cancer diagnosis. Butcher faced both men during his playing career in the 1980s and 1990s.
Gazza's World Cup Message
Gascoigne, who became a global star during the 1990 World Cup in Italy, urged England's young players to 'enjoy every minute' of their World Cup campaign. 'I hope the young players can enjoy it. They are in with a chance, and can beat anyone on their day. After that, who knows?' he said.
He recalled his own experiences, likening his attitude to that of the film Gladiator. 'Entertain the fans and win them over. That reminds me of what I tried to do; the fans paid my wages and paid for the cars. And that is what I tried to do,' he added.
Gascoigne is in talks with Tyson Fury's management about a potential Netflix fly-on-the-wall documentary. However, he will not travel to the US for the World Cup due to his fear of flying.
