Paul Gascoigne has wished his social media followers 'Merry Christmas' in the most Gascoigne-esque fashion by posting a photo of him trying to evade a streaker during his Middlesbrough days
10:00, 25 Dec 2024
Paul Gascoigne
Gazza was once confronted on the pitch at the Riverside by two streakers(Image: Daily Mirror)
England legend Paul Gascoigne once told his fans he wishes "it could be Christmas everyday" in arguably the most 'Gazza-esque fashion'.
Known for his antics both on and off the pitch, Gascoigne took to social media last year to post a photo of himself and streaker who approached him during a game back during his playing days.
Back in 1998, Gazza, who was then playing for Middlesbrough, was facing off against his former side Newcastle United at the Riverside. The two teams played out a frantic 2-2 draw, but the result of the derby clash was not the biggest talking point of the game.
No, the biggest talking point from the game happened midway through the match, when Gazza was met by Vanessa Richards and her friend Rachel Sadler. The pair ran onto the Riverside pitch wearning a Christmas skirt outfit, a hat and nothing to cover up their chests.
Of course, the incident drew some cheers from the crowd, with Gascoigne grinning from ear to ear, only to attempt to evade the pair who claimed afterwards to have "made his [Gascoigne's] day."
Paul Gascoigne
Gazza certainly enjoyed the incident(Image: Daily Mirror)
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And last Christmas, the ex-England star has reminded his fans on social media of the fateful encounter that day at the Riverside. Taking to X, Gascoigne posted a photo of himself with Richards, cheekily captioning it: "I wish it could be Christmas everyday , Merry Christmas xxxxxxxxxx."
And it's safe to say his followers were keen to chime in with their response to his Christmas message. One fan wrote in response: "Gazza you were always the centre of attention and a true entertainer."
A second added: "Brilliant player full of personality. Have a great Xmas Gazza." A third said: "Merry Christmas Gazza, all the best you legend." A fourth commented: "Football fell off."
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Paul Gascoigne with two streakers back in December 1998
Gazza was enjoying himself during the interaction(Image: Daily Mirror)
And a fifth said: "The one the only." After the game, the two streaker's spent six hours in a Boro jail cell. And for their rather raunchy pitch invasion, Richards and Sadler were handed a date in court, where they received a conditional discharge for a year, as well as being banned from Middlesbrough matches for a year too.