The above article is full of hope and love for Paul Gascoigne and the “Gansu Divine-Sky Horses” – 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 to this day he has never uttered a word of gratitude. This is the way things are – and there is 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.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 