Newcastle United qualified for the Intertoto Cup after a stunning 1-0 win over champions Chelsea yesterday.
Glenn Roeder saw his side ride their luck to clinch a place in the Intertoto Cup and a chance of UEFA Cup qualification courtesy of Titus Bramble's 73rd-minute strike despite Stephen Carr's dismissal two minutes later.
It was a personal triumph for Roeder, who took his points tally to 32 from a possible 45 since replacing Graeme Souness as caretaker.
The fact that the Magpies two years ago had been heavily criticised for finishing fifth and missing out on the Champions League under Sir Bobby Robson was long forgotten during a warmly-received lap of honour at St James' Park.
"I feel exactly the same as I've always done when I come up here after we have won a game, very satisfied," said Roeder.
"It's a shame the season is finishing, isn't it? We have come from nowhere.
"They normally say there's a team that goes down that comes from nowhere in the middle of the table.
"But this time around, it's gone the other way, we have come from nowhere to get a stab at the UEFA Cup next year via the Intertoto.
"It's immensely important. There's a financial issue, which is always very important, and there's an issue that our fans - and rightly so - expect it.
"You can say it is only the Intertoto Cup, but nevertheless, it is an entry into the UEFA Cup and the fact that we have got a chance of playing in the UEFA Cup gives us a little bit more of an edge in attracting other players to come to the club in the summer."
Newcastle will face a team from either Northern Ireland, Norway or Iceland in a two-legged Intertoto clash on July 15 and 22 with the winners going straight into the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Glenn Roeder saw his side ride their luck to clinch a place in the Intertoto Cup and a chance of UEFA Cup qualification courtesy of Titus Bramble's 73rd-minute strike despite Stephen Carr's dismissal two minutes later.
It was a personal triumph for Roeder, who took his points tally to 32 from a possible 45 since replacing Graeme Souness as caretaker.
The fact that the Magpies two years ago had been heavily criticised for finishing fifth and missing out on the Champions League under Sir Bobby Robson was long forgotten during a warmly-received lap of honour at St James' Park.
"I feel exactly the same as I've always done when I come up here after we have won a game, very satisfied," said Roeder.
"It's a shame the season is finishing, isn't it? We have come from nowhere.
"They normally say there's a team that goes down that comes from nowhere in the middle of the table.
"But this time around, it's gone the other way, we have come from nowhere to get a stab at the UEFA Cup next year via the Intertoto.
"It's immensely important. There's a financial issue, which is always very important, and there's an issue that our fans - and rightly so - expect it.
"You can say it is only the Intertoto Cup, but nevertheless, it is an entry into the UEFA Cup and the fact that we have got a chance of playing in the UEFA Cup gives us a little bit more of an edge in attracting other players to come to the club in the summer."
Newcastle will face a team from either Northern Ireland, Norway or Iceland in a two-legged Intertoto clash on July 15 and 22 with the winners going straight into the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
