Paul Gascoigne wasn't in the Merlin 1997 Premier League sticker album, but his spirit is ingrained in 1990s British football and his style and character epitomises everything we love about this incredible decade.

We've 'found' more than a dozen players from our beloved childhood stickerbooks and interviewed each one at great length. Every time we've made a point of asking players for Gazza stories. Nine times out of ten, they have one.

We've loved hearing each one and deliberately saved them for a 'Gazza Special' that we're proud to bring you.

Special thanks to all Searching For Shineys guests to contribute to this episode: Craig Hignett, Julian Watts, Steve Chettle, Neil Maddison, Neil Sullivan, Steve Watson, Darryl Powell, Michael Bridges, Keith Gillespie and Lee Dixon.

We hope you enjoy the episode as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Ketch & Richie

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We finally get round to talking about the 1996/97 season with Steve Watson! A lot happened: Shearer arrived, Keegan left and Kenny Dalglish replaced him.

Watto didn't last much longer either, a shock move to Villa happened in 1998 but John Gregory's reluctance to select Geordies saw Steve snub Middlesbrough in favour of a move to Everton.

Here he encountered Paul Gascoigne, Duncan Ferguson and a young Wayne Rooney. Ketch and Richie didn't need a second invitation to mine him for stories on these subjects and Watto obliged with some incredible tales.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod, and don't forget to #KeepItShiney

Oh, and give our website a click if you get five, yeah? Searchingforshineys.com

P.s. We'd love a 5 star review on iTunes if you've enjoyed the episode x

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We found Steve Watson! More brave work by Ketch in the field (pub) led him to one of his childhood heros.

It's another deep dive into Keegan's Entertainers era, but Jim Smith and Ossie Ardiles content precedes all that chat.

Steve talks us through the development of his famous somersault throw-in, his ability across all areas of the pitch (including in goal) and his incredible records of being Newcastle's youngest ever player AND the only player to start Keegan's first and last games as Newcastle manager.

There's drinking tales from Ayia Napa, a naked John Burridge and Tino Asprilla playing killer in a Wallsend pub. And this is just part one!

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Oh, and give our website a click if you get five, yeah? Searchingforshineys.com

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We found Ruel Fox! We were delighted with this find, particularly Ketch who got to take a deep dive into Entertainers era Newcastle United.

Ruel approaches the podcast much like he played the game: front foot, rapid pace and with a beaming smile on his face. We cover everything from Norwich City's game show-style bonus system of the early 90s, to club cars, sessions in Newcastle's Bigg Market and opting for the quiet serene of Colchester over the bright lights of London when he signed for Spurs.

We were connected with Ruel by the good people at Play With a Legend for whom Ruel is 'legend' and available to play football with as part of their amazing packages. Visit playwithalegend.com for more details. In the episode we discuss a 10-10 Play With a Legend thriller Ruel took part in at Carrow Road, highlights of that epic are available to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjEcaeGTy4A

Ketch also mentions in the episode a story he wrote about Newcastle United's 'Lost Youth Team' of 1994, you can read that here: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/incredible-story-newcastle-uniteds-lost-20252419

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Oh, and we have a website too: searchingforshineys.com

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We found Jon Newsome! Giant full-back turned centre-half for Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds, Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday again.

Jon furnished Ketch and Richie with endless tales of a string of huge 90s names he crossed paths with including: Big Ron, Eric Cantona, Benito Carbone, Paolo Di Canio, Gary Speed, Pavel Srnicek, Kevin Pressman and 'Tommy' Dorigo to name a few.

An incredible chain of events saw Jon consider non league football, before transferring to Leeds and winning the old Division One within 12 months. Jon also spoke poignantly about his experience of being a ball boy during the Hillsborough disaster and the conclusion of his career - an 8-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James' Park, a game where Ketch was in attendance.

We're delighted to once again bring you this episode in association with Classic Football Shirts. Enter THESHINEYPOD at checkout for 10% off all your purchases at classicfootballshirts.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod, and don't forget to #KeepItShiney

Oh, and we have a website too: searchingforshineys.com

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We are back with more Darryl Powell. In part two Darryl discusses going to World Cup '98 with Jamaica to take on Argentina, Croatia and Japan in France. He also walks us through the demise of Derby's famous 90s team, his brushes with Steve Bruce, Mick Harford, Gary Megson, a spell in America with Colorado Rapids and Eric Cantona dressed as a cowboy.

Powelly finishes off his spell on the show by talking us through his segue from car salesman to football agent.

We're delighted to once again be bringing you this episode in association with Classic Football Shirts. Enter THESHINEYPOD at checkout for 10% off on us at classicfootballshirts.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod, and don't forget to #KeepItShiney

Oh, and we have a website too: searchingforshineys.com

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Have we found the most passionate player in the 1997 Premier League sticker book? Darryl Powell's enthusiasm oozes out of the speaker as he delivers stunning impressions of Alan Ball and Jim Smith.

He explains (and at times demonstrates) how his brilliant career unfolded to Ketch and Richie. From running Steve Bruce ragged at Old Trafford to scoring at Highbury and having his nose broken by his own team-mate, will all the 90s goodness in between.

We didn't even get on to the 1998 World Cup with the Reggae Boyz - we've saved that for a part 2 next week!

We're delighted to link up with a new sponsor, Classic Football Shirts, who are sponsoring the rest of Season Two. Enter THESHINEYPOD at checkout for 10% off on us at classicfootballshirts.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod, and don't forget to #KeepItShiney

Oh, and we have a website too: searchingforshineys.com

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We've found a Leicester player! Julian Watts, remember him (Ketch doesn't). The Sheffield-born defender enjoyed spells at Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury (on loan), Leicester of course and many, many more.

A contender for the nicest footballer we've found in the shiney search so far Julian's stories cover all the key Shiney Pod touch points: drinking, gambling and beating Middlesbrough.

This episode is brought you by Top Drawer Fitted Furniture, the premier bespoke fitted furniture specialists serving the North East, Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham. Visit their website topdrawerfurniture.co.uk follow them on Twitter @TopDrawer_furn and like them at facebook.com/TopDFurniture.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod, and don't forget to #KeepItShiney

Oh, and we have a website too: searchingforshineys.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.