NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd has warned Manchester United: "We want your title.''

It was the morning after the night before at Old Trafford yesterday - and Shepherd was quick with a rude awakening.

If Sir Alex Ferguson and his players were quietly nursing a hangover or two following Sunday's confirmation of their eighth Premiership title, Shepherd made sure the peace was shattered with a bold declaration.

Newcastle were celebrating themselves on Saturday night after securing a Champions League place and third spot in the top flight. Sir Bobby Robson led his men on a lap of honour after the 1-0 win over Birmingham at St. James' Park, and Shepherd said: "It was great to see, but next year there'll be a trophy to parade around the pitch. There are no guarantees, but we're getting closer to winning something.

"We're third this season. Just remember who was third 12 months ago - Manchester United. We've taken their place, if you like.

"Well, we're aiming to take their place again next season.

"When people ask me why I think we can win the title, I reply: 'Why not?' It's not why anymore, but why not? I'll certainly be putting a bet on it.

"But it's not all about looking ahead. Let's just savour what we've done this year. We've finished third ahead of fine teams like Chelsea and Liverpool. We've put them in their place and are now widely recognised as the third biggest club in the Premiership.

"That's not just in this country and in Europe, but worldwide. Sometimes I think we Geordies don't realise how big Newcastle United is.

"We're making rapid strides in the Far East, while on the Continent everyone now knows what Newcastle are about.''

The Magpies ultimately fell short of the standards set this season by Man. United and runners-up Arsenal. A crushing 6-2 home defeat by the eventual champions just over three weeks ago dealt a fatal blow to the Geordies' title ambitions.

But Shepherd, whose side reached the last 16 of the Champions League, stressed: "No-one can deny it's been a great season for us. I firmly believe that without our blip, we'd have gone very close to winning the title.

"I'm not saying we'd have won it, but there would have been three teams taking it to the wire. Unfortunately, the blip came in a six-pointer against Manchester United.

"But we cannot complain, and to be honest we'd all have settled for third place, which is an achievement in itself.

"Bearing in mind the start we had and our involvement in the Champions League, no praise is too high for Bobby and the players.

"The future is so bright. We have a young team which is gaining experience at the highest level - and they're fast learners.

"There's probably not a more excited chairman in football right now. Mind you, I'm almost the most relieved chairman because Champions League football next season was essential.

"To qualify once is fine, but to be seen as a truly big club, you need to do it year in, year out.

"I still pinch myself when recalling where we were three or four years ago. Now we're finally back to near where we want to be.

"Everything is in place this time - the stadium, the training facilities and, of course, the players.

"There's been huge investment in this squad, a lot of money has been spent to give the manager what he wants.''

And with the prospect of a £15m windfall if they qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, Shepherd promised more transfer funds for 70-year-old Robson. "I won't mention figures, but we are probably one of only a handful of clubs with the resources to go out and strengthen our squad,'' said Shepherd.

"We will spend if it is needed - that's always been the policy of this board.

"No manager has ever left this club complaining that the board had deprived him of funds. We've always come up with the funds when they're required.''

Shepherd, however, finally nailed suggestions that Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate is a summer target. And the Magpies' chief hinted at differences with Robson over transfer policy.

"We've already sat down with Bobby and identified possible targets and we'll be sitting down again soon to discuss them further,'' said Shepherd.

"Make no mistake, next year is a massive season for us. There will be ins and outs at Newcastle.

"The whole structure at this club is to bring in quality young players. I heard Bobby talking about recruiting older ones for the short-term and, while we'd never close that avenue, we're building for the long-term.

"Why bring in short-termers? To save a season maybe, but not to win anything. Ideally, we want quality youngsters, who are ready now but who are also going to get even better.

"The pattern won't change. We've been linked with Christophe Dugarry at Birmingham and Southgate, but that's nonsense. It's just agents' talk. Neither will be joining Newcastle.

"We've signed Hugo Viana, Jonathan Woodgate and Laurent Robert in the last two years, and there will be more top-class players coming here.

"Any player worth his salt would want to join Newcastle - and I'm not just talking about players here, but across Europe.

"Ever since Bobby came, this club has improved year-on-year and I believe it will carry on improving.

"Yes, we all want to win the title next year, but I'd settle for second place and first the year after that.

"Bobby will be here until that happens. It would be a foolish man who'd bet against it.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm the luckiest man in football. It's an honour and a privilege to be chairman of such a wonderful, vibrant club.

"The most satisfying thing is that for years everyone has said that if Newcastle were as good as their supporters, they'd be a hell of a team. "Well I think that we're there now. We have quality on the pitch, off the pitch and in the stands.''

* Newcastle have dropped their appeal against striker Craig Bellamy's one-match ban for improper conduct.

It means the Welshman now misses Sunday's game at West Brom. With skipper Alan Shearer having been sidelined through injury for the rest of the season, Newcastle planned to appeal against Bellamy's suspension, freeing him to play at The Hawthorns.

But with a Champions League place guaranteed, the Magpies are happy to go with a strikers Shola Ameobi and Lomana LuaLua in the final game of the season.

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