North East clubs 169 matches in European football – Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United breakdown | OneFootball

I thought that I would do a celebration of European football, the involvement of North East clubs down the years.

The return of Newcastle United to the Champions League for a second time in the space of three years has of course prompted countless headlines.

However, both Middlesbrough and Sunderland have also contributed in the past to this history of European football when it comes to the North East.

So what has been the experience of our region when it comes to European football throughout the history of the big three North East clubs?

Well, I have gone back through the seasons and produced the findings below.

Including all matches played in the Champions League (previously known as the European Cup), Europa League (previously the Fairs Cup and then UEFA Cup), Cup Winners Cup, Europa Conference League and Intertoto.

I did though draw the line at including the likes of the Anglo-Italian…

European football history of the North East (up to 25 September 2025):

Total number of matches played

Newcastle United – 140

Middlesbrough – 25

Sunderland – 4

Trophies won

Newcastle United – 1

Middlesbrough – 0

Sunderland – 0

Number of seasons playing in European football

Newcastle United – 17

Middlesbrough – 2

Sunderland – 1

Breakdown of 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

Middlesbrough

2004/05

2005/06

Sunderland

1973/74

Interesting!

As somebody who been lucky enough to go on a canny few European away trips, I think one of the best things about the above, is that pretty much all NUFC fans have had the chance (if having the time / cash) to go abroad watching Newcastle United.

From the pioneers of the Fairs Cup days in the 1960s, then also the 1970s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and the 2020s, Newcastle United fans experiencing the magic of European football away days.

Yes, I know a number of other English clubs have seen their fans have more opportunities but not that many other fanbases have had that luck.

The biggest gap of course was the 17 years between the 1977/78 (relegation!) season and then Kevin Keegan marching us back into Europe in 1994.

For Middlesbrough fans it is 19 years and counting, whilst for Sunderland supporters it is 52 years and counting.

Indeed, our Mackem mates have had more seasons in the third tier (five) than they have had games in European football (four).

THE MAG/David Jonson

Moving on, the total for North East clubs of matches in European football is guaranteed to rise to at least 177 this season, as Newcastle United will move on to a minimum of 148 European football games played, with eight more Champions League guaranteed games this season as a minimum.

What follows on from that, who knows?

What I do know is that I am going to enjoy every single minute of this latest Champions League / European football, because as you can see from the above, not everybody gets the opportunity…

I have been amused to see in the run up to this Barcelona match, some Mackems bizarrely trying to belittle Newcastle United when it comes to their Champions League participation and indeed overall European experiences down the years.

That is a bit like me taunting Fabian Schar when it comes to comparisons in terms of our respective looks, in the handsome department.

Indeed, after Thursday night, Newcastle United will have played Barcelona more times (five) in Champions League matches than Sunderland will have played European games (four) against all opposition, in their entire history.