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

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

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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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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

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 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

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Searching for Shineys is back with a bang for Season Two! Ketch and Richie resume their search for footballers who appeared in the 1997 Merlin Premier League sticker book with a far away find - Michael Bridges joins the show all the way from Australia to chat Sunderland, Leeds, Newcastle and more.

Bridgey immediately embraces the spirit of the show with tales of searching for Steve Agnew's teeth, sleeping on Peter Reid's couch after a session at Tall Trees and Ketch gets to explain the story behind his special Michael Bridges pen to the man himself.

This is the first of a fresh batch of episodes coming your way every Friday. If you can connect us to a player from the 1997 Premier League stickerbook please get in touch via our website searchingforshineys.com.

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

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Oh what a feelin’, we’ve found Terry Phelan! Terry ticks A LOT of 1990s boxes having played for The Crazy Gang, Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland plus loads of big Premier League clubs like Chelsea, Man. City, Everton and Leeds to name a few. He also played at the 1994 World Cup and transferred teams during the 1996/97 season and talks about both of those experiences on this podcast. This is our last show of ’Season One’ as we take a pre-season break, re-group and continue the search ahead of ’Season Two’ coming out later in the year. In the meantime, we have a fantastic 1990s game to keep you all busy with: Richie reveals all at the end. Thanks for listening and remember to #KeepItShiney

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us with a player from the 1997 book, please contact us via our website searchingforshineys.com.

Thanks to our sponsor uk.Topps.com

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Keith has been afforded the ultimate honour: a 'part two’ episode on Searching For Shineys. The ultimate recognition that he was a legendary player and an extremely likeable interviewee. In this second 45 minute (plus added time) podcast we discuss the 1996-97 season at Newcastle specifically, including the arrival of Alan Shearer for a then World Record fee. Keith then talks us through the trauma of almost signing for Middlesbrough and relegations suffered at Blackburn and Sheffield United. He also touches upon his time playing for Northern Ireland and discusses the issue of gambling in football.

Remember to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us with a player from the 1997 book, please contact us via our website searchingforshineys.com.

Thanks to our sponsor uk.Topps.com

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Christmas has come early for Ketch as we’ve managed to find a member of The Entertainers! Keith Gillespie was a major part of the iconic Newcastle United side of the 1990s. He was handed his debut for Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, came to the North East as part of the incredible Andy Cole deal and thrived under the attacking setup of Kevin Keegan. Naturally, Keith has been given the honour of a two-part episode, in part one we discuss Alex Ferguson acting as his agent, a sip-by-sip account of a typical night out on the Newcastle Quayside, and THAT 1995/96 season where Newcastle ran out of steam and blew a 12 point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Remember to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us with a player from the 1997 book, please contact us via our website searchingforshineys.com.

Thanks to our sponsor uk.Topps.com

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The search switches from Yorkshire to deepest East London where we’ve found one of the books hidden gems. Steve Jones was a non league striker with Billericay when West Ham took a punt on him in 1992. Within a week he’d gone from working part-time in a soap factory to being on the bench in the Premier League. He made 40 top-flight appearances, scoring three goals in those games, in a career that reads like the script of When Saturday Comes. We battled with technical issues during this episode, but have managed to salvage Steve’s best stories, and have added some bonus 1990s content in at the end. Keep it shiney, and enjoy the episode.

Remember to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us with a player from the 1997 book, please contact us via our website searchingforshineys.com.

Thanks to our sponsor uk.Topps.com

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The man with quite possibly the best left foot in the entire 1997 Merlin Premier League sticker book, Ian Harte talks us through his rollercoaster of a career that reads like a script from 90s football drama Dreamteam. He broke into the Leeds team and played alongside his uncle Gary and was a key member of the team rampaged through Europe to the semi final of the Champions League. The team also survived plane crashes, had supporters brutally attacked in Turkey and practically went out of business at the end of the decade. Harte went to Spain and played for Levante, then had to work his way back up to the top flight via Sunderland, Carlisle, Reading and finally Bournemouth. Now a football agent it was a pleasure to hear him reminisce about his days as Premier League footballer with a gold McDonalds card.

Remember to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us with a player from the 1997 book, please contact us via our website searchingforshineys.com.

Thanks to our sponsor uk.Topps.com

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Another week, another Neil! This time Sullivan of Wimbledon Crazy Gang fame. Sully’s incredible career saw him play 665 times over a 25-year career. From picking up dog poo before sessions on Wimbledon Common, to spells at Tottenham, Chelsea, and even World Cup adventures with the Scottish national team. The 1996-97 started in interesting fashion for Sully after Beckham caught him out from the half-way line on the opening day. Then David Batty beat him from long range the next game, and Alan Shearer scored his first ever Newcastle goal in the same match. Hear about all that, plus his Scotland career, playing against Zidane, and the incredible fashion in which his playing career ended.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us to a player from the 1997 Merlin Premier League sticker book, please contact us via our website: searchingforshineys.com

Thanks to our sponsor: uk.topps.com

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The search has swung from the North East to the South Coast where we’ve chanced upon Southmapton’s Neil Maddison. Maddo made 349 career appearances for five different clubs, played in the 1998 League Cup final and alongside some of the greatest players to grace the Premier League during the 1990s. The Darlington-born player did enjoy a lengthy spell at Middlesbrough too, so naturally Richie steers the chat back to Teesside at times, but Ketch takes it further North to Newcastle for some Alan Shearer chat after discovering Maddo was Big Al’s best man at his wedding! Enjoy the episode and remember, keep it shiney! 

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us to a player from the 1997 Merlin Premier League sticker book, please contact us via our website: searchingforshineys.com 

Thanks to our sponsor: uk.topps.com

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We’re back with Craig Hignett for an incredible part two. In this episode Higgy talks about leaving Boro following an incredible phone conversation with Bryan Robson! He talks us through the highs and lows of the 12 club journey he embarked upon after Middlesbrough, from Aberdeen to Apollon Limassol, with a League Cup winners’ medal in the middle. The episode finishes with Higgy lifting the lid on his tempestuous relationship with Aitor Karanka during a seven month spell on the emotional Spaniard’s backroom staff that ended in a fight!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @TheShineyPod. If you can connect us to a player from the 1997 Merlin Premier League sticker book, please contact us via our website: searchingforshineys.com

Lastly, thanks to our sponsor: uk.topps.com

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Former Arsenal and England full-back Lee Dixon made 458 appearances in the top flight and played 22 times for England. He appeared on page 4 of the book, sticker number 9, and across a 20-year career won four league titles. three FA Cups and a European Cup Winner's Cup medal.

In this episode we discuss, among other things:

• Martin Keown being the ‘fifth’ wheel in Arsenal’s back four

• Anfield ’89 (Lee produces the shirt he wore that night!)

• Being knocked out by David Ginola

• How to sneak a pint in when your captain is sober and your boss is Arsene Wenger

• The phenomenon of ‘pundit shoes’

ª The gruelling process of recording his voice FIFA

+ loads more!

Lee is now a respected pundit, voice of the EA Sports’ FIFA video game series and a keen golfer looking to get his game down to scratch

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Steve Chettle made 174 Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest across five seasons in the top flight. He played under the likes of Brian Clough, Frank Clark, Ron Atkinson and Dave Bassett, and was capped at England U-21 level 12 times. He has a League Cup winners' medal, an FA Cup runners' up medal and TWO FULL MEMBERS' Cup winners’ medals. He also scored a header against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup at the same end Trevor Francis’ header won the European Cup for Forest in 1979.

Steve is currently raising funds for local community initiatives hosted by Basford CFC who are looking to raise £2,000 to fund crucial activities in the area. If you enjoyed the episode, please visit 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/basfordcommunityfootballclubcic and donate.

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