In January 2003, soccer players from various Chinese clubs gathered in Haikou City, Hainan Province, to train for the coming season of the Chinese League. Enthusiastic soccer fans surrounding the training ground were excited to find Paul Gascoigne, a former England midfielder, among the soccer players. The news that Gascoigne was to join the Chinese League made the front page of various sports newspapers. Chinese soccer fans expected Gascoigne, known at the moment as the most famous player among all the foreign soccer players in China, to show off his skills on the pitch.
In his country, people have varied opinions about his move to China. The Times said that it was lucky for Gascoigne to join the Chinese League, stating it was the right place for him. The Sunday Post, however, commented that he was taking a risk by joining a Chinese soccer club, and this move might be his road to perdition.
Regardless of these comments, Gascoigne signed a contract to play for the Gansu Tianma (Heavenly Horse) Football Club in the Chinese League B. The club made his dream of returning to the soccer field come true and appointed him its third coach. When interviewed, he spoke highly of his team and said, "This team has a nice name-Heavenly Horse, namely horse can fly in the sky." He continued, "I like this name because it can be associated with flying. The team has many talented young players. Its head coach speaks good English, and so do some of its players. This gives me an opportunity to act as both player and coach, and lets me enjoy football from two absolutely different angles."
Perhaps realizing this goal is his last chance to revive his soccer career. On the training ground, Gascoigne trains and plays hard. He is the one that runs the farthest, sweats the most, and plays the hardest. His diligent performance in training has been highly praised by the head coach and his teammates.
Although he has indulged in alcohol for some time, he has started to control his drinking habits. Since his arrival at the club, he has only drunk once, on his 7-year-old son's birthday. On that day, after hearing his son's voice on the phone, he was unable to keep himself from crying and went with several of his friends to a bar in search of comfort. After his return, he instantly submitted a report to the team explaining his behavior. In order to abstain from drinking, he takes a bag loaded with shoes, shirts, and a book to training sessions. "It's a book on how to stop drinking," said Mai Guangliang, one of his teammates. "Gascoigne reads the book when he's free. He's quite different from what people say. Everyone can see that he's trying to change. I believe he can succeed because he has courage and perseverance."
You reap what you sow. As for Gascoigne, he has regained his strength on the soccer field. In his first three matches, he achieved two goals and gave helpful assistance to his teammates. He has undoubtedly become the soul of his team. Furthermore, he has won the hearts of Chinese soccer fans. Every time he appears on the field, countless fans hold photos of him taken at Euro '96 and cheer for him.
In May 2003, Gascoigne received more good news: the Heavenly Horse Football Club wants to appoint him head coach. A new chapter in his soccer career has opened. Once the bad boy of European soccer, he may revive his career in China after all.
(China Pictorial 18, 2003)
