But despite being top-trumped in terrible behaviour by practically every footballer to kick a ball since that famous yellow card incident, Gazza has remained a popular figure - perhaps because of his heart-on-sleeve mentality.
Hunter Davies, ghostwriter of the autobiography Gazza: My Story (Headline) has written on a rather bewildering variety of subjects including children's fiction, the Lake District, adoption and Dwight Yorke, though he is best known for being the only authorised biographer of The Beatles.
It seems Davies was initially reluctant to take on another footballer autobiography because he feared it might be difficult to get to the real emotions behind the fa'ade.
In fact, Davies later reported, it was a tricky job getting Gazza to stem the flow; a fact which fans of Gazza's legendary World Cup emotional display won't find hard to believe and one which gives this book a warts-and-all appeal.
Gazza will be signing copies at this event which, may we point out, is positioned cannily close to Father's Day.
If reviews are to be believed it's a story of two halves - laugh out loud hilarious and totally tragic. Much like the great man himself.
Paul Gascoigne will be at Waterstone's at the Trafford Centre on Thursday, June 16 at 6pm. Entry is free.
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