Newcastle set for great days out

The city of Newcastle is famed for its vibrant nightlife culture, with clubs, pubs and bars open all hours as thousands flock into the city centre every night. As though Tynesiders were not blessed enough with the fun to have in their own city, they’ve been given three more excuses for a wild time as Newcastle United enter the group stage of the Europa League.

After defying pre-season football betting tips of relegation last summer, the Magpies stormed to a fifth place finish and a return to Europe after six years.

Luckily for Toon fans, the club has avoided desolate fixtures in Azerbaijan or Ukraine, and instead will fly out to three of Europe’s cultural and party capitals. Bordeaux, Bruges and Maritimo (in Madeira) are all booked in to accept thousands of Magpies fans over the coming weeks.

Seeded third in their group, Alan Pardew’s side were lucky to avoid Italian giants Inter and Lazio yet will experience the same hostile reception in southern France. Bordeaux have long been famed for their passion and the atmosphere inside the Stade Chaban-Delmas replicates that of rivals Marseille.

Maritimo’s Madeira home will no doubt attract fans using a football match as the perfect excuse for a few days in the sun, while Club Bruges is just a ferry ride away from Tyneside.

Pardew’s men can therefore expect a vocal following in Europe this season as the club aims to win their first international competition since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. After an impressive Premier League campaign last season, many betting previews believe they are good enough to finally end their trophy drought this season.

For although there may be teams across the groups that have more European experience than Newcastle, the Magpies will still fancy their chances of making the final in Amsterdam this May.

This season’s European adventure is just reward for a magnificent campaign last season and the players will want to make sure they make as much of these continental trips as their fans will.