David
Ginola

He signed for Newcastle in July 95 - a �2.5m capture from Paris St Germain - semi-finalists in the European Cup in 1994 but before moving to the north east he has some unfinished business at the Ritz in Paris.

It was there that Ginola strutted down the cat-walk modelling clothes designed by the Italian Nino Cerutti and by the time he arrived at St James' Park, he was nicknamed Nino by his new team-mates.

Yet while the 6ft Frenchman enjoys such distractions he is very serious about his football. "First and foremost I am a footballer with a duty to perform," he says.

"We are like artistes and people pay a lot of money to get into football grounds. They come wanting to witness a spectacle and I see it as my obligation to provide it."

Born in Gassin near St Tropez, the son of a shipyard worker, Ginola was rejected by Nice but taken on by third division Toulon. After three seasons there he mobed to Matra Racing Club Paris then to Brest where he won his first international caps and from there he went to Paris St Germain.

It was with the Paris club that Ginola really hit the big time and he became "France Football" Footballer of the Year and Player's Player of the Year in 1994 when he was club's top scorer with 13.

Yet for all the glory Ginola keeps in touch with reality.

"I know supporters want to know me, I understand that and I don't want to be an untouchable," he says.

"I am not so attracted by star status and I have been embarrassed when supporters treat me like a God."

Ginola, who boasts a ten-handicap at golf and once comtemplated taking up the law because he believes he has the conviction to do a good job.