Gazza targets League spot for Kettering

PAUL GASCOIGNE has taken his first managerial role in football after being named as boss of Kettering Town.

The 38-year-old part of a consortium that has taken over the club will work with former Arsenal midfielder Paul Davis, named as a coach.

"It feels good, I'm excited. I know it's Kettering and it isn't Premiership football," Gascoigne said.

"But the plans we have worked on with (consortium leader) Imraan Ladak for the past six weeks have been exciting."

The Midlands club, founded in 1872, is currently fifth in the Conference North two divisions below the Football League.

They've been drawing crowds of about 1,000 to games this season, and Gascoigne said the aim was to become a league club.

"They haven't been in the Football League in 133 years, so that will be one of the main objectives to get this team up there. That will be something for the supporters to look forward to," he said.

Gascoigne won 57 England caps and was widely regarded as the most talented British player of his generation. He was part of the Tottenham team that won the FA Cup in 1991 although he seriously damaged his knee in a wild tackle early in the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

This was the first in a series of injury problems, especially during his three years at Lazio.

He returned to find success at Glasgow Rangers where he won the league title, before moving to Middlesbrough and Everton.

He played briefly for China's Gansu Tianma and England's Boston United as player-coach before retiring as a player in 2004.

Consortium leader Ladak said he'd make money available for Gascoigne to spend, but stressed the club would not have unlimited funds.