CHAIRMAN Freddy Shepherd maintains he can't be sure how much Newcastle's latest Champions League windfall is worth - but the bank manager is smiling.

Most estimates suggest United's first appearance in the second group stage will earn them close to £10m on top of the £15m they have already banked from qualifying for Europe's premier club competition.

Sir Bobby Robson's side beat Feyenoord 3-2 to make the next phase, and a jubilant Shepherd said: "We have just won the biggest game in our history.

"It is probably worth between £6-7m, but I don't really know because we have never been here before.

"But the bank manager is with us and he has a big smile on his face.''

Despite United's disastrous start to their Champions League campaign, which featured 2-0 defeats away to Dynamo Kiev and Juventus and a 1-0 home setback against Feyenoord in between, Shepherd insisted: "I always had the belief we'd do it even after we had lost the first three games.

"I wish I'd had a bet now - they would have been amazing odds.

"To be in the last 16 of the best club competition in the world is very important and we have made a statement about Newcastle United by getting there. We have backed every manager with money here. No one could ever say we have not stepped up to the plate.

"This result has put us firmly on the map - on the world stage. It is a huge achievement for the club, the players and the fans. We have taken that extra step.

"I have had Liverpool on the phone to congratulate us, and I asked them: 'What competition are you in now?'

"I spoke to Ruud Gullit, who was at the game working for Dutch TV, and he was over the moon for us and wished us all the best. He was genuinely pleased.

"And Bobby was in top form. He needed a lift because he has been poorly with his broken ribs. A doctor couldn't have written him a better prescription!''

Shepherd added: "If you look at our side, we probably have the youngest team in the Champions League. We can only get better and everyone agrees that the best has yet to come from Newcastle. Those youngsters, what an experience this is for them. They can hold their heads high.

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