AS Paul Gascoigne walked into his press conference at Turf Moor last night a roar went up from the fans crammed up against the window of the press room.

"One Paul Gascoigne" was the cry followed by "Gazza, Gazza give us a wave" and as the newest Turf Moor recruit duly obliged it was clear that Gazzamania is here for the rest of the season.

The 34-year-old, who will wear the number 34 shirt, now has 35 days to make his mark for the Clarets and ensure that the club reaches the first division play-offs for the first time in its history.

And he made the perfect start as he watched with his family as Burnley roared to victory in a red hot Red Rose derby to lift themselves to fourth in the table.

He did not kick a ball, he did not break sweat, he did not take off his suit but make no mistake, he played his part in the victory.

Before the game the buzz was all about Gazza with a couple of fans telling how they had seen the player at Blackpool Pleasure Beach earlier in the day.

Apparently they shook his hand and thanked him for joining the push for promotion.

Well if any current footballer can claim to have had a rollercoaster career it is the likeable Geordie who has kept reporters busy at the front and the back of the papers.

He has had highs and lows in almost equal measure but as he addressed the press he was so upbeat and positive there is no doubt he believes he can taste more success before he finally hangs up his boots - and he can taste it at Burnley.

"People forget that I know what the first division is like because I have been there before with Middlesbrough," he said.

"I know all about it and we got promotion when I was there and this is a really good challenge for me.

"Burnley is desperate to get into the Premier League and they have done well so far.

"You can see that the team spirit is definitely there and they are definitely up for the challenge.

"They have got players that can play and they have got hard workers with great determination.

"People like Bally and Mitchell Thomas were class out there and they are even older than me!"

The move to Burnley was not one that Gazza made lightly, seeking advice from a quartet of stars before completing the switch but it was one that he had no hesitation in making after hearing about the club, the town and the manager.

"I spoke to Glen Roeder, Ian Wright, Chris Waddle and Andy Townsend, they are four internationals," he said. "They all regard Stan very highly and I already agree with everything they said.

"He is mad, he is a Geordie so I know that he is passionate about the game and the lads here have already said so much about him.

"We have had some laughs in the last couple of days and I think it will be close to see who has a heart attack first."

Ternent teams have always been known for being close knit with a kick one hurt all approach to the game and Gazza is clearly ready to become part of that.

Everyone who has ever played with him at either club or international level has always claimed that he is an inspirational figure to have in the dressing room, a man who lifts morale just by his presence.

Morale and team spirit has always been high among the Clarets but the arrival of the greatest joker in the pack can only increase it.

Ternent has played this game before and he knows what a positive affect the arrival of Ian Wright two years ago had on both his team and the town, helping with the push for promotion to the first division.

No one at Turf Moor last night was left in any doubt that Gascoigne can do the same thing and more.

At 34 he may be past his prime but Ternent has never been one to let a birth certificate dictate his selections and signings.

There is no doubting his pulling power and his place in English football folklore is already assured.

Is it really 12 years ago that his tears in Turin not only captured the hearts of everyone England but made him a world superstar?

Italia 90 remains the pinnacle of his career, displaying his extravagant talents on the greatest stage of all, but there have been other great days along the way.

Who will forget the magical goal that he scored against Scotland at Wembley in Euro 96?

He has been called "daft as a brush", criticised for his "refuelling" habits, been checked into clinics, had well documented domestic problems and a series of injury setbacks.

But one thing that has never been in doubt is his love for the game and desire to do well. Ironically that drive and desire led to one of the low points in his career, the dozen or so mad minutes in the 1991 FA Cup Final when his quest for glory for Spurs ended in the challenge on Gary Charles that left him with a cruciate injury that kept him out of the game for a year.

He has had countless adventures since that May day and now he is ready to embark on another one with Burnley.

He has played with giants of the modern day in England, Italy and Scotland and now he wants to help the Clarets return to the big time.

He has played all over the world in the great theatres of the game but one place he has yet to play is Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

If this was "Gazza - The Movie" the screenplay would be written. The midfielder will sparkle for the Clarets over the next seven games, he will help them into the play-offs, lead them to Cardiff and then score the winner that ends a quarter of a century exile from the top flight.

That sounds alright then so lights, camera, action - this is a take!