Our reporter Ewan Wishart will be uniting Tyne Valley Toon supporters with his weekly column, The Toon Crier.
With Newcastle jetting off to play Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) on Wednesday (October 1), in their first UEFA Champions League away day of the season, this week, we're looking back at how Newcastle have previously fared against Belgian opposition.
Firstly, who are Royale Union Saint-Gilloise?
The Belgian outfit poses a unique and juxtaposing challenge to that of Newcastle's week one Champions League opponents: FC Barcelona.
Not to be sniggered at, 12-time Belgian league champions USG won the title last season for the first time since the 1934-35 season.
USG has gone from strength to strength since Brighton owner Tony Bloom, who bought the club in 2018, appointed former West Brom and Seagulls player Sébastien Pocognoli as head coach in July 2024.
The 38-year-old typically adopts a 3-5-2 formation, which has helped his side maintain their good form from the 24/25 season into this campaign.
Despite selling three of their best players - Mohamed Amoura (Centre-Forward, VfL Wolfsburg), Franjo Ivanović (Centre-Forward, SL Benfica), and Noah Sadiki (Central Midfield, Sunderland AFC) - USG is unbeaten this season.
They currently sit atop the Belgian Pro League, with seven wins and two losses from nine games, including not dropping any points when playing at home.
Les Unionistes have three strikers on form this season: new signing Raul Florucz has four goals and two assists, Kevin Rodríguez, who might miss Wednesday's game through a minor knock, is also on four with one assist, and Promise David who scored in USG's 3-1 Champions League win over PSV in week one, has five goals this season; averaging a goal every 83 minutes.
What works in Newcastle's favour is that USG play second-placed Pro League team, Club Brugge, away from home this Sunday (October 5), so they will undoubtedly rest players for the game against the Toon.
The Brussels outfit's stadium capacity is a mere 9,512, a size that is dwarfed by most clubs competing in the Champions League. When Liverpool lost 2-1 to USG in 2023, they received an away ticket allocation of 1,500 - a similar number of Newcastle fans are expected to be in the crowd for Wednesday evening's showdown.
How have Newcastle done in the past against Belgian sides?
USG will be the fifth Belgian side that Newcastle have played, following RSC Anderlecht, Royal Antwerp FC, Zulte Waregem, and Club Brugge.
The only time Newcastle has lost to a Belgian club was against RSC Anderlecht in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in the 69/70 season - the year after Newcastle won their first and last European trophy, the abolished Inter Cities Fairs Cup - when they lost 2-0 away from home.
- 1969/70 Inter Cities Fairs Cup 1/4 Final RSC Anderlecht - Newcastle United 2:0
- 1969/70 Inter Cities Fairs Cup 1/4 Final Newcastle United - RSC Anderlecht 3:1
- 1994/95 UEFA Cup 1/32 Final Royal Antwerp FC - Newcastle United 0:5
- 1994/95 UEFA Cup 1/32 Final Newcastle United - Royal Antwerp FC 5:2
- 2006/07 UEFA Cup 1/16 Final Zulte Waregem - Newcastle United 1:3
- 2006/07 UEFA Cup 1/16 Final Newcastle United - Zulte Waregem 1:0
- 2012/13 Europa League Group stage Newcastle United - Club Brugge 1:0
- 2012/13 Europa League Group stage Club Brugge - Newcastle United 2:2
Newcastle's last game against a Belgian team was in Alan Pardew's maiden campaign in European competition. The Magpies drew 2-2 against Club Brugge, with a sweet volley from Vurnon Anita and a tidy finish from Newcastle stalwart Shola Ameobi rescuing a point from two goals down away from home.
The Magpies have come a long way since fielding a starting side which featured Sammy Ameobi, Mike Williamson, Gaël Bigirimana, and Gabriel Obertan. Whilst USG shouldn't be underestimated, if Newcastle are to progress to the round of 16, they have to pick up some points against Pocognoli's team.
Tyne Valley Toon fans, we want to hear from you! We're asking fans from the Hexham area travelling to any of Newcastle's Champions League away games to get in touch. Whether you're going with or without a ticket, we want to hear about your experiences whilst following the Magpies abroad.
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