There were more downs than ups in the rollercoaster career of Paul Gascoigne, as the most talented player of his generation largely failed to deliver upon his potential.

HIGHS

PFA RECOGNITION Named PFA Young Player of the Year after breaking through from Newcastle United's youth ranks and showing huge potential and ability which defied his fresh-faced immaturity.

ITALIA 90 Emerges as a global superstar with a sublime World Cup campaign for England, setting up David Platt's sublime volley in the quarter-final against Belgium. He also played well in the semi-final against West Germany, despite the infamous booking he incurred.

FA CUP SEMI-FINAL During Tottenham Hotspurs' run to the 1991 FA Cup final Gascoigne scored a stunning free-kick in the semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley in a 3-1 victory as they secured a place in the final against Nottingham Forest. He won a winner's medal despite being forced off with injury in the final.

SCOTTISH ACCOLADES Joins Rangers in 1995 and wins the league and cup double in his first season while picking up individual awards for his talismanic performances throughout the course of the campaign.

EURO 96 Bounces back superbly from the pre-tournament drinking controversy to star in midfield for Terry Venables' England side, the highlight of which was his magical volley against Scotland.

LOWS

WORLD CUP 1990 SEMI-FINAL After winning so many plaudits in Italy his tournament ends in anguish as he bursts into tears during World Cup semi-final with West Germany after receiving a yellow card which would have ruled him out of the final.

FA CUP FINAL, 1991 Lasts just 17 minutes of FA Cup final in what turns out to be his last major game for Tottenham. Makes lunging challenge on Nottingham Forest's Gary Charles, but is himself badly injured, tearing cruciate right knee ligaments. Out of the game for 16 months.

GREETINGS TO NORWAY Forced to apologise to people of Norway after telling them to "f... off" on television. On a similar note, while at Lazio, he provokes outrage by belching into a television microphone when asked how he feels about being dropped.

HIGH-FLUTING Plays an imaginary flute after scoring for Rangers, prompting huge controversy due to its connotations as a sectarian gesture. Later claims to have received death threats as a result.

WORLD CUP WOE Left out of World Cup squad by England coach Glenn Hoddle despite a resurgence in form during qualifiers.

KETTERING STINT Takes over as manager of non-league Kettering, lasting 39 days with a record of two wins, two defeats and two draws. Reign ends in acrimony with Imraan Ladak, the chairman, claiming the former England midfielder was "under the influence of alcohol before, during and after several first-team games and training sessions".

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