In Palacio Ibaigane, the regal building in Bilbao that serves as Athletic Club's headquarters, where the contracts were once signed, there hangs a pennant. It is in an office where Howard Kendall once entertained dignitaries over a drink.

The pennant commemorates the curious bond between the Basque club and Newcastle United, a friendship forged over 30 years ago and one that will be rekindled at Champions League level for the first time when the teams meet this week.

It all began in 1994, so the story goes, when an Athletic Club supporter missed their transport back to Bilbao and found themselves stuck in Newcastle following a UEFA Cup tie. "This is the story that is passed down," Adam Stoker tells Sky Sports.

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"They were put up by a family here and the story got back to Bilbao about the hospitality from our supporters. That is why there was so much warmth for the return leg." So started one of the more random but inspiring club connections in European football.

Back in Bilbao for the second leg, Athletic edged out Newcastle by the odd goal to progress on away goals, the home supporters invading the...