1969...the swinging sixties was on the cusp of ending. The exploration of space was gathering pace, British music dominated the world stage, and Newcastle United were stunning Europe. Newcastle United: The 1968-69 Fairs Cup Story looks back on Newcastle United's remarkable entry into European competition. At each hurdle the glorious Magpies rose to the challenge, roared on by an enthralled support, until finally in mid June they captured the trophy in the heat of Budapest. All of the matches that Newcastle played are profiled here, from the first clash with Feyenoord to the frantic climax against Ujpest Dosza. The Battle of Britain with Rangers that brought havoc to the city of Newcastle is revisited and the stories behind a shameful night explored. The tussles with Real Zaragoza and Sporting Lisbon are giving comprehensive coverage and the thrashing of Vitoria Setubal is in here too. The book features in some depth each and every United player that took part in the glorious run and there is a generous section of key statistics along with a profile of victorious manager Joe Harvey. Interviews with Bobby Moncur and Jim Scott - heroes of the cup run - bring a telling first hand account of the triumph. Illustrated with memorabilia from the cup run and the late 1960s the book also unearths some wonderful snippets. Did you know for example that one of the linesman in the Rangers v Newcastle United semi-final had named his house 'Ibrox'? That Vitoria Setubal players wore spare socks on their hands to keep warm or that the Feynoord side thrashed by United would win the European Cup and contest the World Club Championship just months later? Whether you support Newcastle United, have a general interest in the British love-affair with European football or are fascinated by English football in the 1960s this is a book that captures a bygone era and stirs a host of memories. This book includes interviews with victorious captain Bobby Moncur and semi-final hero Jim Scott. It details each and every game in the victorious cup run, profiling every player to take part in what was Newcastle United's last major trophy success. It is fully illustrated throughout with Newcastle memorabilia.