BLEARY eyed Burnley fans could be forgiven for looking out of their windows for snow, checking for decorations in the hallway, listening for carol singers at the door.

Quite simply, as soon as Paul Gascoigne arrived at Turf Moor they felt like all their Christmases had come at once.

That is THE Paul Gascoigne by the way. The undisputed star of Italia 90, the man who has mesmerised defences for more than a decade, a name that has filled more column inches than any other in recent times.

It had to be a big story for me to have TalkSport ringing me on my mobile and asking me to go on their breakfast show.

"Is it a last gasp gamble on an unfit 34-year-old, way past his best by a club in danger of missing out on the play-offs?" I was asked.

I knew that my four-year-old nephew Alex was among the early morning audience so bit my tongue to stop my immediate response.

Of course Gazza is not as good a player as he was when he was in his prime. I'm not as good as I was ten years ago, not that that is saying very much!

But anyone who was at Turf Moor on Sunday evening would not be asking if the move was a good one, Gazza has already contributed three points to the Clarets cause.

It has been well documented in recent weeks that the atmosphere at matches has been lacking of late - not so on Sunday.

Early evening is "Songs of Praise" time and the Turf Moor choir was in full voice as they belted out "Gazza is a Dingle".

Those who know the practical joker best would not be surprised if he came out for his debut tonight wearing a flat cap and false beard.

Needless to say, Gazza's arrival has kept me busy and I do plan to reintroduce myself to my wife at some point in the next few days. But after ringing countless people who have played with and against the Geordie throughout his career one thing is crystal clear, I have never come across one player so universally loved by his peers.

Twelve years ago I was about to start my journalism career having been appointed to my first job. But I was forced to ask for a delay in the start date as I was booked to travel to Italy for the World Cup having got tickets for two games in Naples.

The first was the quarter-final between England and Cameroon when Gazza and Gary Lineker combined to dig us out of a massive hole.

The second was Argentina versus Italy, a mere appetizer for myself and three mates as we awaited England against Germany the next night.

We watched the match in a bar in Sorrento, having got our seats at the front three hours before kick off.

No England fan will forget that night and how many of us shared in Gazza's tears. That was the day fans knew he was one of us, someone who cares like we do.

That is why he could prove to be Stan Ternent's greatest ever signing!