Call me 'G8', says new Gazza

2004-10-21 11:46

London - Call him "the soccer player formerly known as Gazza".

Paul Gascoigne, known affectionately by fans as "Gazza,", says he wants to be called G8 - a combination of the first letter of his last name and his old England shirt number.

"G8 is right for us now," Gascoigne said. "It sounds a bit like great, or at least it does with my Geordie accent."

Gascoigne said the name change would help put his troubled past behind him.

He earned 57 caps with the England team and starred in the 1990 World Cup. However, a bout with alcoholism derailed a promising career. His wife, Sheryl, divorced him in 1998 after allegations that he hit her.

Gascoigne says he has been free of alcohol for 22 months.

"It's a lot better than it was two years ago when I was drinking," he said. "I just want to be the guy that enjoyed his football and entertained the fans."

Gascoigne quit as player-manager of Boston United on October 5 after just two months at the helm.

- AP