Eight

by Paul Gascoigne

Eight is Paul Gascoigne’s legacy - the book which will define Paul, the man the world knows as simply Gazza.

Once described as the most gifted English footballer of all time, Paul looks back on his meteoric journey to the pinnacle of the globe’s most popular sport, the struggles he has faced and his battle to rise up once again.

Now, 35 years on from the Italia 90 World Cup that saw ‘Gazza’ hit dizzying heights and become internationally famous - for his talent and those semi-final tears - Paul is still a household name and someone who transcends football.

As Paul moves forward with his life, he is now able to look back at it with a renewed sense of self, and a better grasp of what was really happening at the time. Honest, raw, moving and ultimately uplifting, Eight will show the world Paul Gascoigne as never before.

Genres: Football, Autobiography

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2025

About the author

Paul John Gascoigne

nicknamed Gazza, is a former England international footballer.

Playing as a midfielder, he began his professional career with local club Newcastle United in 1985. Three years later he was sold on to Tottenham Hotspur for a £2 million fee. He won the FA Cup with Spurs in 1991, before he was sold to Italian club Lazio for £5.5 million the following year. In July 1995, he was transferred to Rangers for £4.3 million, and helped the club to two league titles and two trophies. He returned to England in a £3.4 million move to Middlesbrough in March 1998. He made his debut in the Premier League in the 1998–99 season, having already featured in the 1998 Football League Cup Final. He switched to Everton in July 2000, and later had spells with Burnley, Gansu Tianma (China), and Boston United.

Though well known throughout Europe for his club career, his football career is particularly remembered for his 57 England caps. He also won 13 caps for the England under-21s and four caps for the England B team. He was part of the England squad that reached fourth place in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and was famously reduced to tears after receiving a yellow card in the semi-final with West Germany, which meant he would be suspended for the final itself had England won the game. He also helped the team to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1996, and again embedded himself in the national consciousness with a spectacular goal against Scotland that was coupled with a memorable goal celebration.

After retiring from professional football, his life became dominated by his mental and emotional problems, particularly his alcoholism. His problems have received regular coverage in the British press, especially during his various run-ins with the law in 2008-2010. He has attempted to live without alcohol on numerous occasions, though numerous rehabilitation programmes have provided only temporary relief. His problems ended his coaching career, and he has not worked since being fired as the manager of Kettering Town in 2005.

Reviews

[Elaine Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyable book. honest + well written

[Grant S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another autobiography from ex football legend Gazza, (he's on about his third or fourth?).
This isn't a bad read. Paul has enough stories about past escapades and obviously his playing career to keep things interesting.
He comes over as a troubled and vulnerable person, battling addiction and demons and you can't help but feel protective towards him. He's a national treasure after all.
I couldn't help feeling though that this is a book that's been knocked out quickly to earn a buck and is just rehashing his previous life stories.
If you haven't read any of his earlier books this would probably be very enjoyable. As I already have one, which was better, under my belt I found this only an average read.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and it was much better written than I’d expected - has all the classic stories but also is very open and honest.
The people who tapped his and others’ phones really should have been more heavily punished.
Hope this book heralds a recovery by Gazza as I’d love to see him live if I could be sure that he wasn’t drunk and being exploited.

He’s still a national treasure just a very damaged one.

[Megan Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gazza was my hero growing up, I loved watching Italia 90 and he was just an incredible footballer.

The book is raw and honest and tells the real story about every side of him.

The only downside to the book is that there are a few tales he tells where I thought it made him look really bad and that he acted selfishly a few times.

He’ll always be Gazza though and I’m pleased I read this book. A must read for fans of him and football in general.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you'd expect, Paul Gascoigne's memoir is filled with anecdotes, pranks, juvenile behaviour and sadness as he recounts his last few signings in China and Boston.
I particularly enjoyed the story about how he signed for Spurs after having agreed to go to Man United. While Alex Ferguson was on holiday Spurs contacted Gazza and his dad shouted out what the signing offer should be. The next day Gazza's sister had added a sunbed to the order. Spurs agreed, and Man U lost out.
Gazza doesn't really divulge his true feelings about anything. His mentions of ex- wife Sheryl are puzzling. He seemed ambivalent about marrying her, and his behaviour when she had their son was immature, leading to rows. There are hardly any mentions of any previous or subsequent girlfriends. He's no longer in contact with his legendary pal Jimmy "Five Bellies".
He describes his problem with alcohol in a factual way, saying he's now able to control it. There's no doubt the press aggravated some of his problems, particularly the phone hacking scandal which made him distrustful of everyone, including his iwn family.
The book, which is ghost written, is quite repetitive. It uses the device of a header for each chapter, each one capturing an emotion. The fact that he likes to secretly donate money and food to the homeless at night appears three times. There's no doubt he was a generous fella, but equally his tantrums and behaviour at times were very selfish.
A good read but slightly disappointing in not getting through to the real man - if that's even possible.

[Steve Bewley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight by Paul Gascoigne

Rating : 5 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 304
Duration : 3 days 

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Paul Gascoigne is a national treasure and we must protect him.

Ok this will be the most biased review you will ever read, I make no bones about it I love Gazza, he is the reason I picked up a football, he gave mey first great memory as a Tottenham fan, he is the reason I made my football debut wearing the number 8 shirt. To me he is simply my hero, warts and all.

I met him once at an after dinner speaking tour and I am not ashamed to say that I was lost for words and he was the perfect gentleman. If I can attach a photo here I will. 

Gazza was a magical player but he is a tortured soul, let down by friends, the press, the public and mainly by his own stupidity at times and this book is him baring his soul and telling his story with all the joys and sadnesses that he has lived through.

Entertaining, tragic, funny and devastating 

Thank you for the memories Gazza, may you find peace and everlasting happiness 

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Thank you to Netgalley & The Publisher for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own

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You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/


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[Nicola Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Newcastle United fan, I was brought up watching Gazza play and seeing how very talented he was. I also live very close to his family, so this book was definitely of interest to me. It was an interesting idea to try to categorise memories and experiences using the 8 emotions, but that did lead to some repetition throughout. Some of Paul's early experiences are heart-breaking, with one in particular making me cry. I felt that the book just scratched over lots of things and didn't really focus on anything in depth which was frustrating as some were definitely worth saying more about. The book reads like a conversation between Gazza and the audience, and is obviously written to entertain, which Paul says his aim is. It does give some insight in to Paul's character, but I would have loved more depth and self awareness. Overall, I found the book disappointing as both a sports book and a biographical book.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as finally after nearly 60 years Gazza appears to have grown up and been able to demonstrate introspection and an element of emotional intelligence in order to reflect on his incredible life and the phenomenon he became.

It’s tragic that he’s been hobbled by bouts of alcoholism, OCD, drug taking and general stupidity but thankfully he’s got his life somewhat back on track and found some element of peace.

The book is cleverly laid out in order of the eight primary emotions that have featured heavily throughout his life and each is illustrated by examples and stories from his upbringing and career.

Thankfully the book is far more than a rehash of old tropes and stories and was an entertaining and salutary read.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gazza!
This book made me sad and angry in equal parts.
Gazza is an absolute legend, probably the most naturally gifted England player I've seen play. Yet his alcoholism and the way people around him have let him down is so sad to read about.
It's not the best written book I've ever read, but I still enjoyed it. Some new stories, though lots of things which are not fully explained ...like why did he and Jimmy really fall out?
A must read for Gazza fans

[Angela Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know much about Paul Gascoigne before reading this book but I was learn a lot and was suprised by how honest he was.

A really enjoyable read with plenty of entertaining stories.

Thanks to NetGalley, Paul Gascoigne and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great footballer but....

[Andrew Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very honest, funny sad and interesting at the same time. Hope he defeats his demons.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Dominic Garvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book by not your average human.

[Gary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about Gazza’s life starting with his playing career and ending up with his battles against various addictions. Worth a read even for non football fans.

[Andrew Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was far better and different than the standard sports biography, cleverly put together you got to get to hear the stories and to understand Paul a little bit more