Newcastle continue resurgence

uefa.com looks back at the achievements of Newcastle United FC as part of our series of histories of the 18 clubs directly involved in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

Colour change
Founded in 1881 by the Stanley Cricket Club of South Byker, East End FC moved to Saint James' Park in 1892 when local rivals West End FC folded. The club then changed their name to Newcastle United FC and abandoned their red-and-white kit in favour of black-and-white stripes.

First promotion
Promotion to the first division was finally achieved in 1898 and Newcastle won their first title in 1904/05 and almost did the double, losing in the FA Cup final to Aston Villa FC. They dominated for the next five years, winning two further championships and an FA Cup.

Gallacher strikes
Scottish striker Hughie Gallacher arrived in 1924 and led the team to another first division title three years later. There were FA Cup wins in 1923/24 and 1931/32, but by the outbreak of the second world war, Newcastle were in the doldrums before United legends 'Wor' Jackie Milburn and Len Shackleton stepped in to help the club to three FA Cup triumphs between 1951 and 1955.

European success
Relegated in 1961, Newcastle returned to the top flight four years later. They won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968/69 with a two-legged final victory over Újpesti TE in their first-ever season in Europe but trophies proved hard to come by after this. They were beaten finalists in the 1974 FA Cup and the English League Cup in 1976 but two years later were relegated. In 1982, Kevin Keegan signed and hauled the club back into the top flight before retiring from playing.

Revival under Keegan
Again top-flight status was hard to maintain, however, and financial problems led to the sale of a succession of promising talents - including Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and Paul Gascoigne - and a bitter boardroom struggle for control. When local businessman Sir John Hall did take over, Newcastle's fortunes improved, the return of Keegan as manager seeing the side claim Premiership status and finish second to Manchester United FC - a finish that was repeated under Keegan's successor Kenny Dalglish. Off the pitch, St James' Park was transformed into an impressive arena, invariably filled to capacity.

Final defeats
FA Cup final appearances in 1998 and 1999 under Dalglish and Ruud Gullit ended in defeats. But with Sir Bobby Robson in charge and with €21.5m striker Alan Shearer up front - both local boys - Newcastle qualified for the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League, and became the first team to come back from losing their opening three first group stage games to make the last 16. They subsequently booked a place in the 2003/04 competition via a third-place finish in the Premiership.