Driving revenue never more important if the Magpies are to catch up

NEWCASTLE United have disrupted the established order - but finding a way to 'drive additional revenues' has never been more important.

- By CIARAN KELLY

That is according to Deloitte's new annual review of football finance, which revealed that the displacement of some clubs from the European stage by Newcastle meant that average revenue growth among the group of teams formerly known as the 'big six' was lower (3%) than the rest of the league's consistent sides (11%) in 2023-24.

Newcastle competed in the Champions League that season, after finishing above Liverpool the previous year, while Chelsea and Spurs missed out on Europe full stop following poor campaigns in 2022-23.

It is worth noting that qualifying for the Champions League has since become even more lucrative and Newcastle stand to benefit after a fifth-placed finish last month.

In fact, taking a seat at Europe's top table is estimated to now be worth £80m by football finance expert Kieran Maguire.