PAUL Gascoigne's arrival at Turf Moor has thrilled one man in his native Newcastle - the man who discovered him Peter Kirkley.

For 13 years Kirkley worked for the Clarets as their scout in the North East and he admitted: "I am absolutely delighted Gazza has gone to Burnley.

"Now I just hope he can help them go up and we can meet up at St James' Park next season."

The trappings of fame and football have often been accused of damaging Gascoigne but Kirkley believes the game has actually been the saving of him.

"All he wanted to be was a footballer," he said.

"As a young lad he could easily have gone wrong as he came from an area where a lot of kids got into glue sniffing and drugs but football was his life."

Kirkley is currently Newcastle United's Academy Recruitment Officer and he still remembers the first time he saw Gascoigne play, a performance that left an indelible impression on him.

"I just remember seeing this portly little lad when I went to watch Gateshead Boys Under-19s," he said. "He was not on from the start and so he was on the touchline showing off his phenomenal ball skills, juggling the ball. He was fantastic, just waiting for the opportunity to get on.

"When he did get on I just thought he was different class. His shape was similar to how it always has been, the problem he has battled with throughout his career. He did not have great definition in his legs and he was plumpish but I followed him from then on.

"He had already been on trial at Middlesbrough and twice at Ipswich with Bobby Robson where he ended up being on a video called something like 'Bobby's Boys'.

"But at that time you could sign schoolboy forms at 13 and he joined Newcastle before he going on to make his debut at 17. He was immediately fantastic and was a hero here before he left for Tottenham at the age of 19

"I still think that he never really fulfilled his potential because of injuries but he is a special person. He was always very, very popular with the lads, full of fun.

Kirkley's links with Turf Moor go back to the Bob Lord era and when he succeeded the legendary Jack Hixon as the scout in an area that has provided so many of the great names from Burnley's history.

He himself identified a number of players who went on to shine at Turf Moor. He recalled: "The last signing I was responsible for was Trevor Steven.

"Before that there was Brian Laws, Ray Hankin, Derrick Parker, Peter Robinson and Derek Scott.

"It was a great job to have because it had such strong links with this region. The managers were Jimmy Adamson and the legendary Harry Potts and I had some great times."

Kirkley hopes that the good times are just around the corner for Burnley again, inspired by Gascoigne. "I think it is a great move for Paul and a great move for the club," he said.

"He will do anything for you and if he was down to his last penny he would give it to someone with a hard luck story.

"People have no idea what he is like, he has raised millions for charity in the North East but he always does it on the understanding there will be no publicity. He just wants all that kept quiet as he does not want people to think he is doing it so it will reflect back against some of the bad publicity.

"I really wish him and Burnley all the best for the rest of the season."