Three Lions great Gazza was back in Gateshead to play in a legends game in honour of late Toon keeper Pavel Srnicek
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PAUL GASCOIGNE looks back to his cheeky self as he takes part in a Newcastle legends game in honour of late Toon keeper Pavel Srnicek.
Gazza, 50, returned to his old stomping ground in Dunston, Gateshead, to play in the charity match.
The England legend, who in May claimed he was winning his booze battle, was in good spirits on his old turf as he rolled back the years against a local team.
He was joined by former Newcastle heroes Peter Beardsley, Darren Peacock, Keith Gillespie, Steve Howey and Steve Harper.
Before the match, the ground held a minute's applause for Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland fan who tragically lost his battle with cancer aged six.
Managing 15 minutes of the first half, Gazza joked around and had an ear-to-ear grin on his face with the ball back at his feet.
And after the break, the Newcastle great marked the occasion with an emotional goal in front of his home village.
The Magpies legends ran out 7-1 winners, with Harper, Paul Robinson and Beardsley adding to Gillespie's hat-trick. Tony Clarke scored for Felling.
The run-out marks a tremendous turnaround for Gazza, who in May was reduced to tears on Good Morning Britain when opening up about the worst year of his life.
Alcohol addiction and depression has plagued the football legend, who won 57 England caps in his career.
But the encouraging pictures from today's action suggest he is on the mend.
The match was played in honour of late Newcastle keeper Srnicek, who died in December, 2015, of a cardiac arrest.
It was the second Pav Cup following the Czech's untimely passing.
