David Moyes allowed Gascoigne to leave

Gascoigne's farewell to Everton came in the shape of that shameful FA Cup performance at Middlesbrough.

He looked a tired shadow of his once exuberant self, every inch the man who had been consigned to the sidelines at Goodison Park after being consumed once more by problems which Moyes revealed were "not to do with Everton".

Gascoigne has reportedly cut a dejected figure around Everton recently - which makes Burnley's bold move an intriguing cross between gimmick and gamble.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent's wish will be for Gascoigne to reproduce the form he has shown for Everton in the FA Cup against lesser opponents.

But he must also combat the demons that have engulfed Gascoigne again in recent weeks, when even his great backer Smith would not even entrust him with a place on the bench.

Gascoigne is unlikely to extend his stint at Burnley beyond the end of the season, when offers from America and Dubai are waiting.

He is unlikely to grace the top flight again, a sadness when it is considered Gascoigne never graced the Premiership at his peak.

Smith was Gascoigne's football mentor

Gascoigne flourished in the old First Division at Spurs before that ill-fated tackle on Gary Charles in the 1991 FA Cup Final against Nottingham Forest.

Since then it has been fleeting moments of footballing brilliance, more injuries and personal torment at Lazio, Rangers and Middlesbrough before arriving at Everton at the start of last season.

Gascoigne remains a hugely popular figure in Rome, where he lit up Lazio on occasions despite more injury problems.

When Smith stepped in to bring him to Rangers in 1995 he was the shining star of Scottish Premier League as he helped Smith maintain the Ibrox domination.

Middlesbrough was little short on an unmitigated disaster and he made a personal plea to Smith to rescue him with a move to Everton at the start of last season.

Gascoigne remained a vital figure for England when fit. He had a brilliant Euro 96, when he inspired the victory against Holland at Wembley and scored that memorable goal in the victory against Scotland.

Ternent ready to take gamble on Gazza

He was instantly forgiven the shame of the Hong Kong "Dentist's Chair" in that moment when the nation fell in love again with the man who shed tears of despair in Italia 90.

And he played a key role in England qualifiying for France 98 under Glenn Hoddle before he was dramatically axed from the squad shortly before the World Cup.

Gascoigne never played for England again, despite keeping the dream alive after almost every game he played.

He is, in some respects, an unfulfilled talent for someone widely accepted as the finest footballing talent of his generation.

But he leaves the top flight with a collection of memories left behind for fans who all have a view on Gascoigne, whether it is love or hate.

It remains to be seen how Gazza adapts to the hurly-burly of the Nationwide League where he will be a target for every player hoping to make a quick reputation.

Burnley - having previously signed Ian Wright at the back end of his career - will hope it is a moment of divine inspiration as opposed to a misguided publicity stunt.