15th March - Spurs in History

Paul Gascoigne - Superstar.

Lazio confirmed that they had made a world record bid of £8.5 million for Paul Gascoigne and were given first option on the player by Spurs.

It was against this background of major financial problems, the departure of the star player and the possible closing of the club that Gazza almost single handedly took Spurs to Wembley and FA Cup success against Nottingham Forest.

Paul Gascoigne had scored two goals in the 4th Round win over Oxford United. In the next round he scored both goals at Portsmouth in the 2-1 win and in Round 6 he scored once against Notts County. In the weeks leading up to the semi-final, he went into hopspital for surgery on an injury and such was his recovery he played part of the game at Norwich, four days before the Wembley game.

In the semi-final he was on fire from the off and put Spurs on track for an unexpected victory by scoring with a wonder free kick that left David Seamen floundering. Gary Lineker scored twice to ensure victory but it was Gazza who inspired the team.

In the opening minutes in the Final, Gascoigne was again fired up but his over exuberance got the better of him and after one missed timed tackle which could have seen him sent off, he committed another on which lead to him being injured and carried off the pitch on a stretcher. He never played for Spurs again. It was a sad way for a great player to end his career at the club.

The injury threatened the proposed transfer to Lazio which was seen as the only way to save the club. Dark and worrying days for Tottenham.

From the free kick he had conceded, Forest took the lead but in adversity the players came together and with great determination and inspite of Gary Lineker missing a penalty, they managed to equalize through Paul Stewart and in extra time an own goal gave them the trophy for the eighth time.

Paul Gascoigne eventually went to Lazio in 1992 for £4.8 million having recovered from the injury that had threatened his career and put his transfer to Lazio in considerable doubt.