But former Toon skipper and manager Glenn Roeder says he loved the competition.
For those with poor memories, Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd got a call from UEFA to tell him they were going to present the club with the Intertoto Cup, and Shepherd thought it was a wind up.
Freddy Shepherd: "It was a strange competition that had THREE finals and no cup. Nobody had ever won it because they didn't have a trophy.
"Then they presented us with a wooden plaque and told us we were the champions.
"It was weird to say the least."
Glenn Roeder: “We got into Europe through the Intertoto Cup and I would do it all again if it was still around.
“In the last few weeks you have to just go for it, because the supporters love their trips to Europe.
“But hey, if you can get into the Champions League by finishing fourth, it’s nothing to be sniffed at either obviously.
“We’ve got be honest and say the Europa League is also a great chance for Newcastle, they’ve just got to go for it.
“Europe is important for the youngsters as it is part of their education.
“If you’re not a starter and getting bits and pieces from the bench, it all adds to being a better player.
“That’s what we had with Tim Krul and Andy Carroll. It was a great start for them.
“To have a top squad you have to bring a few through your Academy.
“It’s too expensive to buy a whole squad.
“The amount of money you have means you end up spreading yourself too thin and you end up buying players who aren’t at the top.
“Look at Sir Alex Ferguson, a lot of success has been through what he’s brought through his Academy.
“He can splash out on one Wayne Rooney and bring others through as they are good enough.
“He can buy one player at £30m rather than six at £5m or so each.”