The Wholesome Moment When Paul Gascoigne Gave Wayne Rooney £40 When They Met In 2018

Paul Gascoigne once gave Wayne Rooney £40 for a "couple of pints" in 2000 – and 18 years later, they recreated the moment when he visited Everton's training ground. You can see that clip below.

At the start of the new millennium, a 14-year-old Rooney was playing for Everton's youth team when Gascoigne, who was playing for the Toffees at the time after joining from Middlesbrough, decided to go and watch.

After coming on as a substitute at 1-0 down, a teenage Rooney soon made a huge impact on 'Gazza'.

In an episode of Soccer AM a few years ago, Gascoigne told the story. "When I was at Everton I used to go and watch the youth team play, the Under 19s, before we played," he said.

"I think it was Colin Harvey (in charge) at the time and he said to watch this young kid, he's 14 and playing for the Under 19s. 

"I thought I'd stay and watch for a little bit and he came on when they were getting beat 1-0 with 20 minutes to go. 

"He banged in two goals. I think you can watch them on TV - they're incredible. What a player. I thought he's going to be good."

After the full-time whistle that day, Gascoigne walked into the dressing room to have a chat with Everton's youth team – and this is when he bumped into a confident Rooney for the very first time.

"After the game I went in and said 'well done lads, I've got £40 spare, is anyone going out tonight?'

"Wayne Rooney said 'I am', so I went there's £40 quid, go and get yourself a couple of pints tonight. That's when I knew he was going to be brilliant. He's got potential, that lad. 

"He's never given the £40 back so the interest is about £1.2million now!"

Image credit: Alamy

'Gazza' would soon join the world in watching Rooney flourish into one of England's greatest players.

And 18 years after their first meeting, Gascoigne and Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer bumped into each other again during Rooney's second spell at Everton during the 2017/18 campaign.

Speaking to ‘Back of the Net’ on Amazon Prime in 2019, Rooney remembers when Gascoigne visited Everton U19's after a game in 2000.

“I remember Gazza coming to see us in the changing room and asking ‘Is anyone going out tonight? I’ll give you a bit of money’.

“Me being confident I say ‘yes’, and Gazza came up to me and gave me £40.

"It was only a few years ago when I saw him again, he asked for his £40 back!”

Image credit: Kong Events/Twitter