The Newcastle United Champions League stat book that…

The Newcastle United Champions League stat book that was left frozen in time

Newcastle United's class of 2023 will get the chance to challenge some of the club's Champions League records.

Not since Aaron Hughes' unfortunate swing of a boot from the penalty spot back in summer 2003 against Partizan Belgrade have the Magpies kicked a ball in anger in the Champions League. But that will change in September when the competition returns for the Toon Army.

UEFA have not forgotten Newcastle's presence in the Champions League and as fans eagerly follow the account on Twitter for the first time, excitement is building already on Tyneside. Dusting down Newcastle's old UEFA Champions League record books makes for a nostalgic feel.

But the record book still reads that Alan Shearer is the club's top scorer in the competition with seven goals to his name. Shearer grabbed a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in 2003 and famously netted twice at the San Siro in the 2-2 draw against Inter Milan.

Big Al is followed by John Beresford who famously went on a goal rush in the 1997/98 season with two goals against Dinamo Zagreb in the play-offs then scored twice in a group game away to Dynamo Kiev in another 2-2 tie.

Beresford's goal live long in the memory for fans of a certain vintage and the popular left-back was in attendance in his role as corporate host as Newcastle went back to the Champions League against Leicester. Nobody forgets Tino Asprilla's hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Barcelona, but even in defeat Shola Ameobi's goal at the Nou Camp a few years later is still a real favourite for fans.

In terms of the most appearances, Shay Given leads the way after three campaigns in the Champions League and the long serving keeper is very much the club's veteran in this competition. Although, somewhat notably, he missed out on a big night against Juventus when Steve Harper kept a clean sheet as Sir Bobby Robson decided to rotate his stoppers.

Harper can go to dinner on the fact he kept Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved at bay for the rest of his life. But the Champions League holds many special memories for United stars.

The most famous is Asprilla's hat-trick against Barca. But you'd be hard pushed to find a more enthralling away trip than the Inter Milan game or the clash in Rotterdam that saw Craig Bellamy score a last gasp winner to take Newcastle into the second phase back in 2002 during a 3-2 win.

As Newcastle prepare for the Champions League 2023/24 there is a chance to chase down the existing records and like Shola Ameobi, Steve Harper and a host of others, the chance to claim a place in Geordie folklore.