Paul Gascoigne has handed his cash-strapped hometown club Gateshead a �10,000 lifeline.

The Unibond League outfit need �60,000 to survive until the end of the season after Cameron Hall pulled out of a sponsorship deal in mid-season.

Everton star Gascoigne told The Sun: "I want to do all I can to help them. It would be a big shame to lose Gateshead.

"How much do they need - �60,000? I think I could probably come up with �10,000 of it.

"I'm a Gateshead lad. I remember playing many times at their home ground in junior finals."

Overwhelmed

Gateshead chairman John Gibson said: "We are overwhelmed by Gazza's generosity.

"He was brought up in Gateshead and some of his family still live in the town.

"While he might have got some stick throughout his career, I know people in football respect him. But to go as far as this for his hometown club, it is staggering."

Gateshead believe they can find a new backer come the summer, and Gibson added: "The future isn't secure but this gives us a chance."