Why Newcastle’s last major trophy doesn’t actually count as Toon desperate to end 55-year wait for silverware
FOR most Newcastle fans, it was the greatest occasion in Geordie football history.
A night of European triumph, Bobby Moncur raising the trophy into the Budapest air.
More than 55 years on, that remains, according to the Toon Army and the record books, Newcastle’s last major trophy.
But not as far as the people who matter are concerned.
The black and white images of the men in black and white stripes have, basically, been airbrushed from European football’s memory bank.
Because, in Uefa’s eyes, that victory does NOT count.
Yes, Uefa admits that there was such a thing as the Inter Cities Fair Cup, which actually started in 1955.
Yet, as far as the men and women in Nyon are concerned, it was a competition that, effectively, did not exist – at least as far as their official recognition goes.
And it means Newcastle, despite the medals handed out and the fans who made the trip to Hungary to see Moncur and his team complete their aggregate win over Ujpest Dozsa, do not appear on Uefa’s list of former winners.
For Uefa, the third competition – after the European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup – only began in 1971-72, when Spurs beat Wolves 3-2 on aggregate to lift the inaugural Uefa Cup.
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Madness? Well, to a degree.
But the Fairs Cup was actually NEVER a Uefa competition – and the qualification process is one of the reasons the powers that be do not want to give it credence.
Initially set up, with a hearty push by future Fifa President Sir Stanley Rous, to promote international trade fairs, the early seasons only allowed clubs from cities that had put on such events.
That was partly because the Fairs Cup was actually run OUTSIDE Uefa’s jurisdiction – with competition organisers operating their own rules, refereeing appointments and disciplinary framework.
Even after that changed, the rule was “one city, one team” – which was how Newcastle came to be playing in it at all.
Under boss Joe Harvey, Newcastle had finished 10th behind champions Manchester City in 1967-68.
Manchester United’s Wembley win over Benfica in May, making them England’s first European Cup winners, meant Matt Busby’s side joined their neighbours in the senior competition, with eighth-placed West Brom in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Liverpool and Leeds, third and fourth, took the first two Fairs Cup slots.
But the one club per city rule meant Everton missed out, despite finishing fifth, while seventh-placed Spurs and Arsenal, ninth, were overlooked because of Chelsea landing sixth.
That meant 10th – two points ahead of Nottingham Forest – was enough for Newcastle to get the invitation.
Harvey’s side took advantage, beating Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Zaragoza, Vitoria Setubal and Rangers to take on the Hungarians, with the first leg at St James’ Park.
A 3-0 triumph saw Moncur score twice with winger Jim Scott adding the third, with the second leg on June 11 in the Hungarian capital.
By half-time, the lead was a single goal, after Ferenc Bene smashed home and Janos Gorocs dribbled through the Toon back line to squeeze past keeper Willie McFaul.
But within seconds of the restart, Moncur volleyed in – he had never scored for Newcastle before the first leg – before Dane Preben Arentoft latched onto a deflected Scott effort and youngster Alan Foggon netted at the second attempt after bulldozing through on goal.
The players celebrated long into the night at Budapest’s Grand Hotel, taking turns to sip bubbly from the trophy.
Little did they imagine that half a century later, their feat is not officially acknowledged.
By the time of the final, Uefa was making a power grab, demanding control of all the international club competitions being played in Europe – including “sporting merit” for entry.
For Uefa, it required a new competition, a new trophy – first winners Barcelona beat 1971 holders Leeds in the Camp Nou to retain the Trophee Noel Beard in perpetuity – and expunging the recent past.
So while English clubs – Leeds twice, Arsenal and Newcastle – were Fairs Cup winners, none of those triumphs count.
Don’t try and tell Toon fans, mind. Although a few would swap it for a Carabao Cup win in March.