When did Newcastle United last win a trophy? Magpies’ timeline of near misses

March 13, 2025
2:08 pm

Newcastle United are potentially just 90 minutes from ending their long trophy drought as they take on Liverpool in this weekend’s Carabao Cup final.

Many of the loyal United fans at Wembley on Sunday will have never seen the club lift a trophy, but all that could change with a positive result against Arne Slot’s side. Eddie Howe will be without Anthony Gordon through suspension, while Lewis Hall and Sven Botman have been ruled out through injury, but the Magpies still boast stars such as Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali as they look to get the job done at the famous stadium.

Much has been said about Newcastle’s long wait for silverware, which now stretches back many generations. There have been some close calls – most recently in the 2023 Carabao Cup final which they lost to Manchester United. The Magpies also saw chances for FA Cup glory come and go in the 1998 and 1998 finals against Arsenal and Man United respectively.

When did Newcastle United last win a trophy?

The last major competition Newcastle won, outside of the second division championship title, was the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. United beat Ujpest Dozsa 6-2 over two legs to win the competition which would become the UEFA Cup.

When did Newcastle United last win a domestic trophy?

You have to go back to 1955 for the last time the Magpies picked up domestic silverware, beating Manchester City 3-1 in the FA Cup final. Will the 70-year drought end this weekend?

Time Line

Newcastle United’s trophy drought

1955 – FA Cup Final

The last time United won domestic silverware is now 70 years ago, with a 3-1 victory over Manchester City at Wembley. Goals from Jackie Milburn, Bobby Mitchell and George Hannah earned United their third FA Cup of the decade – and it remains the last time they have lifted the famous trophy
1969 – Fairs Cup glory

Newcastle did experience European glory in 1969, beating Ujpest Dosza over two legs to lift the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Captain Bob Moncur was the hero over two legs, scoring a double in a 3-0 first-leg win at St James’ Park, before scoring the goal then ended the Hungarians resistance in the second leg, after United had gone 2-0 behind. Joe Harvey’s side went on to win 3-2 on the night and 6-2 on aggregrate
1974 – FA Cup Final

And so the tale of woe starts. United were always second favourites against a Liverpool side who were becoming one of the best around, but they were blown away at Wembley. Kevin Keegan scored a brace and Steve Heighway also got on the scoresheet after a goalless first half
1995-96 Premier League

Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers had been honed into a side capable of beating the very best around, and as 1996 dawned they looked ready to win their first Premier League title – and their first top-flight title since 1927.

Manchester United had other ideas. While Newcastle dropped points, famously at Liverpool and Blackburn, the Red Devils put in a stunning run of form to reel in Newcastle’s 12-point lead and snatch the title from under their noses. Yes, it still hurts.
1998 – FA Cup Final

Newcastle returned to Wembley for the first time in a final for 24 years, but the outcome was the same. This time was Arsenal who stood in their way, and again the Magpies failed to deliver.

The Gunners completed a league and cup double after goals from Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka condemned Kenny Dalglish’s side to defeat. Alan Shearer hit the crossbar with a header, but that was as close as United came.
1999 – FA Cup Final

Newcastle reached back-to-back FA Cup finals, but again came up against the best team in the country, with Manchester United en route to winning a famous treble. An early injury to Roy Keane raised Newcastle hopes, but in truth they were always second best, and goals from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes earned Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the win.
2000 – FA Cup semi-final

The following year, it was the turn of Sir Bobby Robson to take United to Wembley, this time for the semi-final of the FA Cup against Chelsea. With Bolton or Aston Villa awaiting the winners, it was widely considered that whoever emerged victorious would be firm favourites for the final.

Newcastle fell behind to Gus Poyet’s first-half goal, but United finally gave their fans a goal to celebrate at Wembley when Rob Lee met Alan Shearer’s cross to head his side level. Unfortunately, Poyet snatched a winner at the other end and another trophy dream was over.
2004 UEFA Cup semi-final

United had more European glory in their sights under Sir Bobby Robson, but would have to get past a Didier Drogba-led Marseille in a two-legged semi-final. The Ivory Coast striker and Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate battled it out in a goalless first leg on Tyneside, but with Woodgate injured for the second leg, the French side ran out 2-0 winners . . . Drogba scoring both.
2005 FA Cup semi-final

Just days after crashing out of the UEFA Cup against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, Graeme Souness’ Newcastle flew into Cardiff for an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

This one was over as a contest almost before it began, with a Ruud van Nistelrooy brace and a goal from Paul Scholes putting Man U 3-0 ahead before Shola Ameobi pulled one back. Cristiano Ronaldo added a fourth to make the final score 4-1.
2023 League Cup Final

After a 23-year absence from the national stadium (bar two Premier League games with Tottenham), United returned to Wembley under Eddie Howe in the 2023 Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.

Regular goalkeeper Nick Pope was suspended while Martin Dubravka was cup tied, meaning Loris Karius made his debut in goal. The game failed to live up to the huge excitement, with Casemiro putting Erik ten Hag’s side ahead, and Marcus Rashford quickly adding a second.