THE secretary of a top boys' football club said Paul Gascoigne was "absolutely fantastic" after the World Cup star chatted to the players and passed on tips.

The ex-England star looked "brilliant" when he was back in his native Tyneside to watch youngsters at Wallsend Boys Club playing at the weekend.

The 47-year-old was happy to chat to the young hopefuls at the club where Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick once played.

And he spoke to parents and coaches too while watching his nephew playing in an under 13 game.

He also kept an eye on an under 15s game and was so impressed with the standard he sought them out after the game and passed on some advice.

Paul Lockyear, club secretary, said: "He was absolutely fantastic with everybody.

"He was talking to everyone, even the little uns in the under 8s.

"He looked absolutely brilliant too.

"It meant a lot to the players and they came away with smiles on their faces and they were all talking about it afterwards.

"He had given them some words of advice."

Dressed like a traditional football manager in a sheepskin coat, Gazza posed for a team photo with the under 15s.

Earlier this week, the former Newcastle player said he had felt "victimised" after he was sectioned following a drinking binge, adding "the only person who can save me is me. I just had a little blip. I messed up".