The presence of three former European opponents on Newcastle United’s pre-season fixture list got us a bit nostalgic.
Memories of Champions League nights under Sir Bobby Robson, black and white images of Bob Moncur lifting the Fairs Cup and Rob Lee’s hat-trick against Royal Antwerp came rushing back.
Of course, Eddie Howe and his side will not be competing in European competition during the upcoming season but the Magpies will hope to progress towards earning a top seven place during the campaign and earning a crack against opposition from the continent in the near future.
For now, pre-season fixtures against the likes of 1860 Munich, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao may lack the glitz and glamour of European nights under the lights at a packed out St James Park - but they do give us a chance to look back at some of the greatest nights in the history of the club.
NewcastleWorld selects our top ten European nights in the history of Newcastle United.
5. 1968/69: UEFA Fairs Cup semi-final - Newcastle United 2-0 Rangers (agg)
A performance full of bravery and fight earned a goalless draw at Ibrox before Jimmy Sinclair and Jimmy Scott netted in the home leg to give Joe Harvey’s men a 2-0 aggregate win and send the Magpies into the Fairs Cup Final. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
6. 2002/03: Champions League - Newcastle United 1-0 Juventus
Andy Griffin’s finest moment! The defender scored the only goal of the game as the Magpies kept alive their hopes of progressing into the second group stage of the Champions League with a win against the Serie A giants. | Getty Images Photo: Stu Forster
7. 1997/98: Champions League - Croatia Zagreb 2-2 Newcastle United
Temuri Ketsbaia wrote his name into Magpies folklore as his late goal claimed an aggregate win and sent Kenny Dalglish’s side into the Champions League group stages for the first time. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
8. 2002/03: Champions League - Feyenoord 2-3 Newcastle United
BELLLLAMMMMMYYY! The Welsh striker fired a late winner as Sir Bobby’s boys saw off the Dutch side to make Champions League history and secure a place in the second group stage of the competition despite losing their first three games. | Getty Images Photo: Stu Forster