Translator’s Note: I briefly observed a highly biased BBC documentary about the English football star – Paul Gascogne – and his brief stay in the North-West province of Gansu (a very beautiful place full of very kind people). As he was coming to end of his playing career – China had offered him an opportunity of a life-time. He could have assisted the development of English football in China to unbelievable levels – perhaps even coaching and teaching for the rest of his life – receiving very good money at the Chinese tax-payer’s expense. However, Gazza (we call him this in England) was well-known for his alcoholism and dramatic moods swings due to the mental health issues he experienced. This is a reality we can do nothing about – but honestly report. I have translated below a 2020 Chinese-language article looking back at Paul Gascogne’s time in China. I think it is important to see the other side of the issue. Within this Note, I am including a 2003 English-language news article that appeared in the Chinese Press:
‘Gascoigne Revives His Soccer Career in China
In January 2003, soccer players from various Chinese clubs gathered in Haikou City, Hainan Province, to train for the coming season of the Chinese League. Enthusiastic soccer fans surrounding the training ground were excited to find Paul Gascoigne, a former England midfielder, among the soccer players. The news that Gascoigne was to join the Chinese League made the front page of various sports newspapers. Chinese soccer fans expected Gascoigne, known at the moment as the most famous player among all the foreign soccer players in China, to show off his skills on the pitch.
In his country, people have varied opinions about his move to China. The Times said that it was lucky for Gascoigne to join the Chinese League, stating it was the right place for him. The Sunday Post, however, commented that he was taking a risk by joining a Chinese soccer club, and this move might be his road to perdition.
Regardless of these comments, Gascoigne signed a contract to play for the Gansu Tianma (Heavenly Horse) Football Club in the Chinese League B. The club made his dream of returning to the soccer field come true and appointed him its third coach. When interviewed, he spoke highly of his team and said, “This team has a nice name-Heavenly Horse, namely horse can fly in the sky.” He continued, “I like this name because it can be associated with flying. The team has many talented young players. Its head coach speaks good English, and so do some of its players. This gives me an opportunity to act as both player and coach, and lets me enjoy football from two absolutely different angles.”
Perhaps realizing this goal is his last chance to revive his soccer career. On the training ground, Gascoigne trains and plays hard. He is the one that runs the farthest, sweats the most, and plays the hardest. His diligent performance in training has been highly praised by the head coach and his teammates.
Although he has indulged in alcohol for some time, he has started to control his drinking habits. Since his arrival at the club, he has only drunk once, on his 7-year-old son’s birthday. On that day, after hearing his son’s voice on the phone, he was unable to keep himself from crying and went with several of his friends to a bar in search of comfort. After his return, he instantly submitted a report to the team explaining his behaviour. In order to abstain from drinking, he takes a bag loaded with shoes, shirts, and a book to training sessions. “It’s a book on how to stop drinking,” said Mai Guangliang, one of his teammates. “Gascoigne reads the book when he’s free. He’s quite different from what people say. Everyone can see that he’s trying to change. I believe he can succeed because he has courage and perseverance.”
You reap what you sow. As for Gascoigne, he has regained his strength on the soccer field. In his first three matches, he achieved two goals and gave helpful assistance to his teammates. He has undoubtedly become the soul of his team. Furthermore, he has won the hearts of Chinese soccer fans. Every time he appears on the field, countless fans hold photos of him taken at Euro ’96 and cheer for him.
In May 2003, Gascoigne received more good news: the Heavenly Horse Football Club wants to appoint him head coach. A new chapter in his soccer career has opened. Once the bad boy of European soccer, he may revive his career in China after all.
(China Pictorial 18, 2003)’
The above article is full of hope and love for Paul Gascoigne and the “Gansu Divine-Sky Horses” (甘肃天马 – Gan Su Tian Ma) – the struggling Chinese football team Gazza was contracted to play for. Gazza’s playing career spanned 19-years between 1985-2004. Many English football stars – as they are so much more skilled than the average footballer – tend to play abroad for a time in their latter career before taking jobs as coaches, trainers, and media commentators, etc. Gazza avoided most of this and experienced very public battles with addiction and psychological issues. This is all a matter of public record. As Gazza suffered endless injuries as his body aged rapidly (compounded by the effects of alcohol) – his options for foreign playing were highly limited. In many ways, Gazza was lucky for the opportunity China gave him – and initially Gazza was very grateful to play in China (He had tried-out for another Chinese team prior to Gansu Tianma – but was turned-down). This is the way things are – and there is no reason to sugar-coat it. Watching the films of Gazza at his peak – there is no doubt he was one of the best players in the world. Even at the other end of his playing-career – the Chinese people were grateful he had chosen to play in their country. I think the BBC paid Gazza for an exclusive documentary about his time in China. It could be that he stayed long enough for the BBC cheque to clear before leaving – and never intended to stay in China – or help their football game develop. ACW (13.8.2026)
Due to his Four-Games with Gansu Divine-Sky Horses – Gascoigne Went from Happy to Leaving Without Saying Goodbye!
2020-03-28
Author – Binghe Tianyu watching the game
If we were to select the best midfielder in 20th-century British football, Paul Gascoigne would definitely be nominated. This player, hailed as the most imaginative genius in England, has had a legendary career throughout his playing-days.
Today, we want to talk about the connection between Paul Gascoigne and the Chinese Gansu Tianma (Divine-Sky Horses) football team.
Let’s go back to January 2003. A year earlier, Chinese football had just undergone the challenge of the World Cup, and everyone was looking forward to a bright future for Chinese football. At the start of 2003, a shocking piece of news came from Lanzhou: “World-class star Paul Gascoigne has joined Gansu Tianma Football Club.”
For a time, “Lanzhou”, “Gansu Tianma Football Team”, and “Paul Gascoigne” became the hottest buzzwords in Chinese football. The same shock also appeared in British football. Although his career was nearing the end, Gascoigne remained a hot topic in British football. This football prodigy who loved drinking and had a somewhat eccentric personality was a darling of media editors because he always had funny and wise-words to share.
It’s not just the British who were asking about Lanzhou – or what kind of team Tianma was. Chinese fans were also puzzled—when did a team capable of attracting world superstars come into play? Why haven’t they heard of it before?
Gansu Tianma was founded in 1999, with its home ground in Lanzhou, Gansu. It was the first football club in Lanzhou. After its formation, the team competed in the third-tier of Chinese football (known as “League Two) – but was determined to advance to the second-tier of Chinese football (known as “Jia-B” – or “League B”).
Although it is only a third-tier (called “Yi Ji” or “League Two”) venue, every weekend, Lanzhou Qilihe Stadium was filled with a sea of joy. Enthusiastic Gansu fans wholeheartedly supported this hard-earned home team, with an average attendance of 20,000 per game, surpassing many top-tier matches.
The list of players on the pitch may not be familiar to fans, but that doesn’t stop us from supporting them. The fans’ enthusiasm did not translate into promotion – as on the weathered turf of Qilihe Stadium – the team continuously tasted defeat.
For a newly formed team, it is extremely difficult to quickly break into a high-level league without bringing in star players. After two seasons of failed promotion, Gansu Tianma faced a serious problem – fans were leaving and the football market was losing its attraction.
Determined to achieve something, Gansu Tianma finally succeeded in promotion through a backdoor counter-listing in 2001. Backdoor retrieval means purchasing a top-tier league team and then moving its home to the location of the purchaser – effectively completing the promotion mission (a struggling – but higher positioned football side – can be brought-out in a financial deal that pays all its debts. The purchasing side then relocates its headquarters to their home stadium – and its name is changed (with the original players sacked). The purchasing team then assumes the higher position in the league thus achieving promotion. I believe this is also common in the US – but is not permitted within UK football as it is viewed as a form of “corruption” – with money taking precedence over merit. The Wimbledon – MK-Dons situation demonstrates why this practice is not permitted in the UK – Translator)
Whether it’s through a backdoor promotion or pushing through on their own, Lanzhou finally achieved a second-tier team. Although coming from a third-tier (Yi Ji) Chinese football strata, second-tier (Jia-B) games are much more exciting – and it is this situation Paul Gascoigne entered when he arrived in Gansu during 2003.
So, as we saw, on January 26, 2003, Gansu Tianma from the second-tier “Jia-B” officially signed British superstar Gascoigne. The previously quiet Lanzhou football market erupted like a cola explosion, instantly turning into a frenzy.
Whether it’s the Gansu Provincial Football Association, Lanzhou Football Association, club executives, local media, or the vast number of fans, everyone was happy and proud of this signing. Gansu Tianma was the first to allow a world-class superstar to play in China’s second-tier! (In fact – Gazza had tried-out for the Jia-A [top-tier] “Liaoning Bodao” [辽宁波导] football team situated in the North-East – but he failed the assessment – they said his legs were gone).
But everyone forgot that Gascoigne was already 36 years old, and his physique had changed dramatically – as was seen in the star’s first appearance in Jia-B — something that should have been expected but was not.
While everyone was celebrating, some were clear-headed—namely the players of Gansu Tianma and other coaches in Chinese football.
Regarding this signing, the senior management of Tianma Club stated: “Although we had some concerns at first, after careful consideration, we decided to bring him in. I believe Gascoigne’s arrival will not only strengthen Gansu Tianma’s reputation but also provide a huge boost to the lack of interest in football in the northwest!” ”
Moreover, people are were inclined to believe that Gascoigne’s signing was an advertisement that Gansu Tianma had spent 3 million yuan on themselves.
Through training with Gascoigne, the Tianma team members shifted from initial expectations to subtle concerns. Gascoigne’s skills and awareness were indeed superior to everyone present, but before coming to Lanzhou to play, Gascoigne hadn’t played for nearly a year, so his physical condition was very poor. After running on the training ground for a short while, he was already out of breath.
There were also many coaches of top-tier teams who refused to consider Gascoigne; they did not believe a star at the end of his career could lead a new team – or create miracles.
At that time, the head coach was Gong Lei. Concerning Gascoigne, Gong Lei praised Gascoigne’s professionalism and believed he could help the team.
After signing, the team headed to Guangzhou for pre-season training. At this time, Gascoigne was full of motivation. At 36 years old, he was eager to prove he was more than just the team’s mascot. Every training session without any special measures, Gascoigne solidly completed his preseason preparations.
Finally, in mid-March, Gansu Tianma finished training camp and returned to Lanzhou to prepare for the start of the Jia-B season.
Gascoigne preferred to dedicate his first match in China to the home fans. Tickets for this match quickly already sold out, and the fans who got tickets were thrilled. Over 30,000 fans poured into Qilihe Stadium for this game.
Their first home match came against Qingdao Aokema (青岛澳柯玛) on the 29.3.2003 – a team also referred to as “Qingdao Hainiu” and other similar names. This is a team that had been in the top-tier for years. Judging from the results (Gansu Tianma won 2:0) – it’s clear that this opponent was intimidated by Gascoigne’s reputation.
Gascoigne won a corner kick just five minutes in, and at the 14th minute, he had a chance to win through a tackle and scored with a beautiful shot.
Scoring in his first match, Gascoigne celebrated wildly in the corner area, savouring the moment and proving he wasn’t past it.
The fans’ cheers soared to the sky. Having witnessed the team’s weak performances in previous seasons, winning now with Gascoigne was truly satisfying. Post-match praise poured in, with various celebrations and events following one after another. Gascoigne was not just a player, but viewed as a distinguished guest on all sides.
But unexpectedly, Gascoigne’s trip to China peaked far too early. In subsequent matches, Gascoigne played three more times and only scored a penalty.
After playing four matches for Gansu Tianma, Gascoigne returned to the UK under the pretext of visiting family and never returned. After several negotiations, the team reluctantly accepted this reality.
Back in the UK, Gascoigne told the media that his experience playing football in China was both surprising and unbearable. He enjoyed the joy the matches brought him, but couldn’t stand being there. “The club wanted to maximize the use of me to boost their fame, making me endlessly accept media interviews—radio, television, newspapers, weeklies—all of which I had hardly ever been exposed to before. They keep making me deal with these things, which is so shameful. ”
Without Gascoigne, the Gansu Tianma team quickly fell and eventually left Lanzhou, Gansu. This northwest lost its only professional football team, just as it lost its world-class superstar.
The spark that had just been ignited fell silent again. Nowadays, Lanzhou locals have forgotten about Gansu Tianma, and forgotten that there was once a world-class superstar playing football at Qilihe Stadium……
Gascoigne found it difficult to continue his career after returning to England. After a brief attempt at Boston United in England’s Second Division, Gascoigne ended his professional career.
After retiring, Gascoigne continued to indulge in alcohol. Years of drinking had made this agile midfield prodigy old and sluggish. Hopefully, during one afternoon, Gascoigne would remember a beautiful goal he scored in the distant East.
Chinese Language Text:
加斯科因与甘肃天马队的缘分，从高兴而来到不辞而别，只用了4场球
2020-03-28
如果要评选20世纪英国足坛最佳中场球员，保罗·加斯科因一定会被提名的，这名被誉为英国最具想象力的天才球员，整个职业生涯都充满着传奇。
我们今天要来讲一讲保罗·加斯科因和中国甘肃天马队的缘分。
时间回到2003年的1月，一年前中国足球刚刚经历过世界杯的锤炼，所有人都在憧憬着中国足球的美好未来，就在2003年开年之时，从兰州传出了一则震撼的消息，“世界级球星保罗·加斯科因加盟甘肃天马足球队。”
一时间，“兰州”、“甘肃天马足球队”、“保罗·加斯科因”成为了中国足坛最热的词汇，同样的震惊也出现在英国足坛，虽然已经在职业生涯的末期，但是加斯科因依旧是英国足坛的话题人物，这个喜爱喝酒，性格有点奇怪的足球天才，是媒体编辑的宠儿，因为他的身上总会有可以发挥的话题。
不止是英国人在打听兰州在哪里，天马是什么球队，中国球迷同样纳闷，什么时候出了一支可以吸引世界巨星加盟的球队，为什么之前都没有听过呢？
甘肃天马队成立于1999年，主场设在甘肃兰州，这是兰州第一家足球俱乐部，球队组建后参加中国足球乙级联赛，立志要冲上甲级联赛。
甘肃兰州七里河体育场（已拆除重建）
虽然只是低级别的乙级联赛，但是每个周末，兰州市七里河体育场都会是一片欢乐的海洋，热情的甘肃球迷全心全意支持着这支来之不易的主队，场均20000人的上座率，超过了很多甲A比赛。
拿在手里的出场名单，球迷可能并不认识这些球员，但不妨碍我们支持他们，球迷的热情并没有换来球队的晋级，在七里河体育场斑驳的草皮上，球队尝到了冲甲失利的滋味。
对于一支新组建的球队，在没有引进大牌球员的情况下，想要快速冲击高水平联赛，难度是非常大的，经历了两个赛季的冲甲失败，甘肃天马队面临着一个严峻的问题，球迷在流失，球市在降温。
立志做出一番成绩的甘肃天马队，终于在2001年借壳冲甲成功，所谓借壳冲甲，就是购买一支甲级联赛球队，然后将球队的主场迁到购买地，完成变相的冲甲任务。
不管是借壳冲甲，还是自己打拼晋级，兰州终于有了一支甲B球队，虽然只是中国足球次级联赛，但是比赛的精彩程度要比乙级联赛有了太大的进步，这也为加斯科因的加盟提供了可能。
于是一切就像我们看到的一样，2003年1月26日，甲B的甘肃天马队正式和英国巨星加斯科因签约。原本已经沉寂的兰州球市，就像是可乐喷发一般，顿时陷入了狂欢。
不管是甘肃省足协，兰州市足协，俱乐部高层，还是当地媒体，广大球迷，所有人都在为这笔签约高兴和骄傲，能让一个世界巨星在中国低级联赛踢球，甘肃天马是第一家。
但是所有人都忘了，此时的加斯科因已经36岁了，明显已经走样的身材，也暗示着这名球星出现在甲B联赛，不合理中又带着合理。
当所有人都狂欢时，有一部分人是清醒的，那就是甘肃天马队的球员和中国足坛的其他教练。
对于这笔签约，天马俱乐部高层表示：“尽管我们当初有所顾虑，但经深思熟虑后还是决定引进他，我认为加斯科因的加盟不仅能壮大甘肃天马的声威，更是对西北足球落后省份的一次巨大促动！”
而且对于加斯科因的加盟，大家更愿意相信，这是甘肃天马队花了300万元为自己打的一个广告。
通过与加斯科因的合练，天马队的队员从最初的期待变为了隐隐的担忧，加斯科因的技术和意识的确是高于在场的每一个人，但是，在来兰州踢球之前，加斯科因已经快一年没有球踢了，所以他的体能非常的不好，在训练场上跑了一小会，就已经是气喘吁吁。
同样不看到加斯科因的还有很多甲级联赛球队的教练，他们不相信一个职业生涯末期的球星，可以带领一支新球队创造奇迹。
此时的球队主教练是宫磊，这是宫磊退役后执教的第一支球队，面对加斯科因，宫磊却夸赞了加斯科因的职业性，相信加斯科因可以为球队带来帮助。
签约后，球队就开赴广州进行赛季前的训练准备，此时的加斯科因也充满了动力，已经36岁的他也很想证明自己不只是球队的吉祥物。每次训练加斯科因都没有搞特殊，扎实的完成了赛季前的储备。
终于在3月中旬，甘肃天马队结束集训回到了兰州，准备开始的甲B联赛。
加斯科因没有在足协杯和联赛首轮出场，加斯科因更愿意将自己在中国的第一场比赛奉献给主场的球迷。本场比赛的球票早已经卖光了，拿到球票的球迷兴奋万分，这一场比赛，七里河体育场涌进了3万多球迷。
首个主场比赛的对手是青岛澳柯玛队，这是一支常年在甲级联赛的球队，从比赛的结果来看，显然对方也被加斯科因的名头吓住了。
加斯科因进球庆祝
加斯科因开场5分钟就制造了一个角球，14分钟通过抢断获得机会推射破门，漂亮的进球。
首场比赛就进球，在角球区疯狂庆祝的加斯科因享受着这一刻，他在证明他没有老。
球迷的欢呼也冲向云霄，看惯了前几个赛季球队孱弱的表现，现在因为加斯科因的加盟，赢球真是太爽了。赛后的赞美铺天盖地，各种庆祝，各种活动接踵而至，加斯科因不止是一个球员，更是各方的座上宾。
但是让人没想到的是，加斯科因的中国之行演绎成了出道即巅峰，在随后的比赛中，加斯科因又出场了3次，打入了一个点球。
在为甘肃天马队踢了4场比赛后，加斯科因以回家探亲的理由回到英国，这一去就再也没有回来，甘肃天马队在经过几次交涉后，最终无奈的接受了这个现实。
常年酗酒让49岁的加斯科因显得衰老（照片拍摄于2016年）
回到英国的加斯科因接受媒体采访时表示，自己去中国踢球的经历是惊奇的，同时也有难以忍受的，他享受比赛带给自己的快乐，但是忍受不了“俱乐部为了最大程度地利用我来提高他们的知名度，让我没完没了地接受媒体的采访，电台、电视台、报纸、周刊，这些我从前几乎都不曾接触过。他们不停地让我应付这些，太可耻了。”
没有了加斯科因的甘肃天马队迅速坠落，最终也离开了甘肃兰州。这片西北足球土地在失去世界巨星的同时，也失去了自己唯一的职业球队。
刚刚燃起的火种，重归沉寂。现在的兰州人已经忘了甘肃天马，忘了曾经在七里河体育场还有一位世界巨星在这里踢过球……
轻轻地我走了，不带走一片云彩
回到英国的加斯科因也很难再继续自己的职业生涯，在英格兰乙级联赛（第四级联赛）的波士顿联队进行了短暂的尝试后，加斯科因结束了自己的职业生涯。
退役后的加斯科因继续沉迷于酒精，多年的酗酒已经让这位灵动中场天才变的苍老迟钝，希望在某个午后的时分，加斯科因可以想起自己在遥远的东方进过一个漂亮的进球
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 