I thought I would host a celebration of European football, and the involvement of North East clubs over the years.
Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League for the second time in three years has obviously generated numerous headlines.
However, both Middlesbrough and Sunderland have also contributed to this history of European football in the past when it comes to the North East.
So what is our region’s experience when it comes to European football in the history of the three big clubs from the North East?
Well, I’ve gone back through the seasons and come up with the findings below.
Includes all matches played in the Champions League (formerly known as the European Cup), Europa League (formerly the Fairs Cup and then UEFA Cup), Cup Winners Cup, Europa Conference League and Intertoto.
I did draw the line at including people like the Anglo-Italian…
North East European Football History (until February 23, 2026):
Total number of matches played
Newcastle United – 149
Middlesbrough – 25
Sunderland-4
Trophies won
Newcastle United 1
Middlesbrough – 0
Sunderland-0
Number of seasons played in European football
Newcastle United – 18
Middlesbrough – 2
Sunderland-1
Distribution of the seasons when playing European football
Newcastle United
1968/69
1969/70
1970/71
1977/78
1994/95
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/2000
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2012/13
2023/24
2025/26
Middelsbrough
2004/05
2005/06
Sunderland
1973/74
Interesting!
On Tuesday evening, Newcastle United will play its 150th match in European competitions.
As someone who has been lucky enough to make a few smart European forays, I think one of the best things about the above is that virtually all NUFC fans have had the opportunity (if they have the time/money) to go abroad to watch Newcastle United.
From the pioneers of Fairs Cup days in the 1960s, through the 1970s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and into the 2020s, Newcastle United fans experience the magic of European football challenges.
Yes, I know some other English clubs have seen their fans get more opportunities, but not many other fanbases have been that lucky.
The biggest gap was of course the seventeen years between the 1977/78 season (relegation!) and the moment when Kevin Keegan marched us back into Europe in 1994.
For Middlesbrough fans it is 20 years, while for Sunderland supporters it is 52 years.
Indeed, our Mackem friends have played more seasons in the third tier (five) than matches in European football (four).
THE MAG/David Jonson
Newcastle United have now played Barcelona more times (five) in Champions League games than Sunderland have played European games (four) against all opponents in their entire history.
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