Gazza joins Sunday League side

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Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne is set to make a shock return to football for a Sunday League team in Bournemouth.

Paul Gascoigne could return to football at the age of 47 in the less than auspicious surroundings of Sunday League Division Four in Bournemouth.

According to the latest reports in the Daily Echo, the former England legend has agreed to play for Abbey FC and could make his debut against Rentech Repairs or ARC Cleaning.

The move is plausible because Gascoigne has recently moved into an apartment in Sandbanks, the affluent area near Bournemouth that is also home to Harry Redknapp.

Bournemouth FA secretary Daron Hills has confirmed that Gascoigne’s registration has been received by the league after he was persuaded to play by Abbey FC boss Chris Foster.

Foster is quoted as saying: “I have offered to pick him up whenever he is willing to come.”

It remains to be seen whether the story is genuine, but Gascoigne has struggled to let the game go since leaving his last professional contract at Boston United in 2004.

Since then, Gazza has made attempts at coaching with Algarve United, Kettering Town and nearly Garforth Town, but he has also had well publicised problems with alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

The latest reports could be another false start for Gascoigne, but he would be assured of a hero’s welcome should he take his place in the Abbey FC dressing room.

Gascoigne was the most expensive player in England when he moved from Newcastle United to Tottenham for £2.3 million in 1988 and he starred at World Cup 1990 and Euro 1996.