Wolves legend Steve Bull today expressed his sympathy for the plight of former England team-mate Paul Gascoigne.
Gazza has been sectioned in hospital after falling ill, allegedly talking to toy parrots after going on a drink and drugs bender.
Bull played with the fallen idol with England and got to know him well on and off the field.
Since their retirement as players, they have become friends, with Gazza helping Bully promote his Promise Dreams charity.
Bully said today: “He was a top player and has become a good friend as well – any golf dos or charity dinner, all I’d have to do is pick up the phone and he would be there for me.
“It’s so sad what’s happened to him. But he will get better. Everyone needs to get behind him and do their best for him. He gave the nation pride and plenty of pleasure with his exploits for England and now it’s time for the nation to give something back to him.
“Everyone needs to rally around him to help him because he deserves it.”
Bully insists no one compared to Gazza on the field but the fallen player needs to somehow pull himself together.
“He set up goals for me for England against Czechoslovakia and was an absolutely superb player,” added the Molineux record scorer.
“As a footballer, he was one in 1,000, but he has to pick himself up, ‘get his head on’ and get the right people around him. He has to make something of himself – it’s not doom and gloom – he’s only 40 and he has to do something with himself, get focused and do managing or coaching.
“Anyone can sit around and drink all day – that’s the easy thing to do, but you have to have something to get out of bed for.”
Former Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce, who also hails from the North East, enjoyed a playing career that overlapped with Gascoigne.
Bruce, 47, said: “I know Paul quite well. I have had many a night out with him. Like everyone else, I am obviously saddened and shocked.”
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, a former England team-mate of Gascoigne’s, also voiced his support for him.
He said: “It is obviously a very sad situation, but I am sure he will come through it.”
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15 Comments
All the best gazza
Get well soon lad
get well lad
If the players in our current England side showed the commitment and pride shown by Bully and Gazza we’d be watching them in the Euros this summer. Oh well! Good luck with your new job Bully and get well soon Gazza.
A sad tale about a fallen great.
I was at the Czechoslovakia game & England would’ve beaten Brazil the way they played that night.And Bully’s goal? Incredible!
It’s footballs loss that Gazza has not tried his hand at coaching.It has’nt quit driven McCarthy to drink ….yet!
Get well soon Gazza, all the best!
Anyone can sit around and drink all day – that’s the easy thing to do, but you have to have something to get out of bed for.”
They cant you know!
I work 62 hours a week its OK for some who have never had a proper job,good luck to him any way,
Bully is a true friend and hero !!!
Mental illness is not funny doesn’t take any account of income and is often more difficult for those left trying to pick up the pieces!
Being sectioned may not be a bad thing in the long run, I know as I have had to deal with a family member this way.
Who knows how this chaps problems have developed, was it illness before drugs and alcohol or the other way round, it’s anybodies guess.
One thing is for sure it’s a long road to recovery and it isn’t going to be any easier for him to do it in public.
Before people start to damn him for excess and having more money than sense they should realize that this is the chap that pops into TOYS-R-US every Christmas to buy £thousands worth of toys and delivers them by hand to local children’s homes.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
gte well gazza, we will all never forget italia 90, you were player of the tournament and I know if we would have got to the final and you were not suspended we would have been world champions. you were the difference in the team and we will always remember that goal against the jocks in euro 96!!
get well soon gazza your a legand
I hope he comes out of this. But he has not helped himself after finishing playing. Merson is the same but without the character and personality.
Top bloke. But he needs a break.
In response to certain people who are judging Gazza’s currant mental health problems with negative comments need to wake up. I have a vast knowledge through family members and qualifications of mental health problems,i also care for people who’s mental health deteriorates every day. Its not a joke ,it can result from many problems and not simply having to much time on their hands. I hope he receives the care that everyone that experiences mental health problems deserves and makes a good strong recovery.
i`met gazza here in spain @ murcia airport what a great bloke he was,he stopped to sign autographs for anyone who wanted them and brought a round of beers for the lads before he went of to la manga for some golf,he`s a top bloke, just hope that he gets the help and surport from the medical team,i was at italia 90 when we should of won it,gazza showed the world what a player he was.
hope he gets well soon A TRUE FOOTBALLING HERO,AND A GENT.
steve get Gazza well and get him in at marston rd, fun times ahead
I was 10 in Italia 90 the man is a true legend, his goal against the jocks in 96 was amazing. All the best gazza, you were troubled but a genius at the same level. Wish you had more time at the top.
Get well soon Gazza.
Bully is true Black Country gold, all the best at Stafford.