Sport / Gazza event cancelled days after tickets go on sale
AN EVENT due to held in Lerwick later this year featuring former footballer Paul Gascoigne has been cancelled.
An Audience with Paul Gascoigne was due to take place at the Clickimin Leisure Complex in early August, with tickets already on sale.
Promoter Stephen Stewart of Events 105 said on Tuesday that the event had been cancelled by the Clickimin as the venue did not “wish to be associated” with Gascoigne.
The former footballer said at the weekend that he was “safe and well” after a video was shared online which appeared to show him under the influence and asking for drugs.
The manager of the Clickimin Leisure Complex Robert Geddes, however, said the event was cancelled because the venue did not receive the deposit payment required from the promoter.
In response, Stewart said his company never received an invoice for the deposit in the post.
It is understood the management of the Clickimin, however, held concerns over the negative publicity of recent footage of Gascoigne, while it is thought they were also worried the ex-footballer may not have been in a fit state to undertake the event.
The news was referred to by Gascoigne on Twitter, who wrote to his 350,000 followers “thanks 4 the support @ClickiminLC”.
Geddes said: “A deposit payment due as per our event terms and conditions had not been received from Paul Gascoigne’s promoter, therefore we were left with no choice but to cancel the event.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience, and I can assure all those who have paid for tickets will be refunded in full via Shetland Box Office.”
Stewart said earlier on Tuesday: “Following a conversation with the venue’s management we have been told in no uncertain terms that the venue wish not to be associated with Paul Gascoigne and as such they have decided to cancel the event at their venue.
“Events 105 have done everything we can to turn this decision around but to no avail. It is particularly bad timing as we realise that tickets have already gone on sale and numerous people have managed to buy them.
“We apologise wholeheartedly for this but once the venue decided to pull out of the event we have been left with no other options. Again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will ensure that every single ticket holder receives a full refund for their ticket purchase.
“This will be organised very shortly and we will post up more information soon. Your understanding is greatly appreciated and we are left feeling very sad that we have been stopped from providing fans of Paul Gascoigne in Shetland the opportunity to meet one of their idols.”
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