Missing out on the UEFA Conference League was a blessing | OneFootball

Looking at this season’s UEFA Conference League, I think it was probably better that we were pipped at the post last season and missed out.

I have heard lots of mackems etc down the years, take the proverbial out of Newcastle United’s 1970’s Anglo-Italian and Texaco Cup wins. We still won them though, but didn’t give us any lasting memories or bragging rights.

I congratulated West Ham United on The Mag when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League (as it was then called) in 2023. It was the Hammers’ first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1980.

I think if we had been in this competition this season, it would have been an arduous slog.

We could have also kissed farewell to any possibility of winning one of the two domestic cups on offer this 2024/25 season.

The UEFA Conference League is just another extra competition that UEFA have recently introduced, to try and expand their (tainted) reputation and increase their revenues.

If Newcastle United win the Carabao Cup this season then we would automatically qualify for next year’s UEFA Conference League.

In my eyes, it would be then a must to either finish in the top five or six in the EPL, or win the FA Cup, to avoid us playing in the UEFA Conference League.

In my eyes, we haven’t won anything significant since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Back in those days, the likes of Revie’s Leeds and Mee’s Arsenal, as well as Harvey’s Toon, were proud winners of that particular competition.

I don’t think United competing in or even winning the UEFA Conference League anytime soon, would ever be met with the same affection.