The 2003–04 season was Hartlepool United's 95th year in existence and their first season in Football League Second Division since 1993–94. Along with competing in the Football League Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, Football League Cup and Football League Trophy. The season covered the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004.
Background and pre-season
Having participated in the Third Division since 1994–95, the 2003–04 season saw Hartlepool competing back in the third tier once again having earned promotion in the previous season. Hartlepool had started the 2002–03 campaign in fine form, but suffered the departure of manager Chris Turner to Sheffield Wednesday in early November 2002. Turner had turned around the club's fortunes since his appointment in February 1999. After ensuring survival for Hartlepool in the Third Division in his first season, Turner oversaw three consecutive play-off finishes. Turner's successor was Mike Newell who inherited a side four points clear at the top of the league. Hartlepool managed to build a 12-point lead at the top of the division by early 2003 ahead of Rushden & Diamonds. Nevertheless, Hartlepool would suffer a poor run of form in the Spring, eventually missing out on the title on the final day of the season. Despite winning promotion in second place, Newell's contract was not renewed.
In June 2003, former Ross County manager Neale Cooper was appointed as Newell's successor in a surprise decision. Early in his tenure, Cooper lost key defender Graeme Lee on a free transfer. Lee was replaced by Bury's Michael Nelson.
Review and events Hartlepool's 2003–04 campaign began with an away fixture at Peterborough United which Hartlepool won. This solid start to the season continued, including a notable 8–1 home victory against Grimsby Town. By Christmas, Hartlepool were just outside the play-off positions.
In the FA Cup, Hartlepool defeated Whitby Town and Burton Albion, the latter of which was televised. This earned them an away tie at local team Sunderland in the third round. The Sunderland match saw an attendance of over 40,000 supporters; breaking the attendance record for any Hartlepool match. The First Division side narrowly won 1–0 courtesy of an impressive goal by Julio Arca.
In April, Hartlepool won five consecutive matches to maintain their play-off hunt. This play-off finish was ultimately secured late in the season. In the play-off semi-final first leg, Hartlepool faced Bristol City at Victoria Park in front of a near sell out crowd. The away side took the lead in the first half before Joel Porter found a late equaliser for Hartlepool. In the away tie at Ashton Gate, Antony Sweeney gave Hartlepool the lead after an hour. Hartlepool conceded with two minutes to go before Bristol City found a winner in injury time. This was Hartlepool's fourth play-off semi-final defeat in five years.
Players
First-team squad
Transfers Transfers in Date Position Player From Fee Ref 26 June 2003 DF Michael Nelson Bury £70,000 11 July 2003 FW Marco Gabbiadini Northampton Town Free 30 July 2003 DF Andy Jordan Cardiff City Free 30 July 2003 FW Paul Robinson Blackpool Free 8 August 2003 MF Gavin Strachan Southend United Free 28 August 2003 DF Ryan McCann Celtic Free 17 October 2003 GK Dimitrios Konstantopoulos Farense Free 25 November 2003 FW Joel Porter Sydney Olympic Free 15 January 2004 DF Scott Walker Dunfermline Free 29 January 2004 DF Hugh Robertson Ross County Undisclosed 20 February 2004 MF Stephen Carson Barnsley Free
Loans in Date Position Player From Loan Length Ref 25 November 2003 FW Danny Byrne Manchester United 23 December 2003 10 December 2003 MF Chris Shuker Manchester City 10 March 2004 13 March 2004 MF Neil Danns Blackburn Rovers 30 June 2004
Transfers out Date Position Player From Fee Ref 19 June 2003 DF Graeme Lee Sheffield Wednesday Free 19 June 2003 MF Paul Smith Sheffield Wednesday Free 1 July 2003 FW Gordon Watson Retired 19 August 2003 MF Tommy Widdrington Macclesfield Town Free 21 August 2003 DF Gordon Simms Derry City Free 31 October 2003 FW Kevin Henderson Carlisle United Free 12 January 2004 FW Marcus Richardson Lincoln City Free 19 January 2004 FW Marco Gabbiadini Retired 2 February 2004 MF Paul Arnison Carlisle United Free 3 February 2004 DF Jon Bass Released
Loans out Date Position Player From Loan Length Ref 22 August 2003 FW Marcus Richardson Lincoln City 20 October 2003 11 September 2003 FW Kevin Henderson Carlisle United 31 October 2003 31 October 2003 MF Paul Arnison Carlisle United 2 February 2004 14 November 2003 FW Adam Boyd Boston United 20 January 2004 21 November 2003 GK Anthony Williams Swansea City 21 December 2003 8 December 2003 FW Marcus Richardson Lincoln City 12 January 2004 11 December 2003 DF Mark Robinson Spennymoor United 11 January 2004 23 January 2004 GK Anthony Williams Stockport County 30 June 2004 2 February 2004 FW Adam Boyd Boston United 2 March 2004 6 February 2004 FW Jermaine Easter Cambridge United 12 May 2004 20 February 2004 DF Mark Robinson Scarborough 20 March 2004
Competitions Pre-season friendlies
Football League Second Division League table
Results summary
Results by matchday
Results
Play-offs
FA Cup
League Cup
League Trophy
Squad statistics Appearances and goals
Goalscorers Rank Name Division TwoFA Cup League Cup OtherTotal1Eifion Williams13001142Adam Boyd 12000 123Paul Robinson700294Darrell Clarke 50027Marco Gabbiadini 520075Mark Tinkler500056Ritchie Humphreys31004Hugh Robertson400047Michael Nelson300038Steven Istead10102Antony Sweeney10012Jack Wilkinson 200029Michael Barron 10001John Brackstone 01001Neil Danns 10001Matty Robson 10001Chris Shuker 10001
Clean Sheets Rank Name Division TwoFA Cup League Cup OtherTotal1 Jim Provett 14 2 0 0 16
Penalties Date Name Opposition Scored?13 August 2003Paul RobinsonSheffield Wednesday25 August 2003Marco GabbiadiniPort Vale30 August 2003Paul RobinsonLuton Town12 September 2003Paul RobinsonGrimsby Town23 September 2003Paul RobinsonWest Bromwich Albion15 November 2003Gavin StrachanRushden & Diamonds29 November 2003Gavin StrachanSwindon Town20 February 2004Chris ShukerBlackpool28 February 2004Mark TinklerWycombe Wanderers3 April 2004Gavin StrachanBrighton & Hove Albion6 April 2004Adam BoydLuton Town
References