2003–04 Hartlepool United F.C. season

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, League Cup and League Trophy. The season covered the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004.

Hartlepool United
2003–04 season
OwnerIOR
ChairmanKen Hodcroft
ManagerNeale Cooper
StadiumVictoria Park
Football League Second Division6th
FA CupThird round
(eliminated by Sunderland)
League CupSecond round
(eliminated by West Brom)
League TrophyFirst round
(eliminated by
Oldham Athletic)
Top goalscorerLeague:
Eifion Williams (13)

All:
Eifion Williams (14)
Highest home attendance7,448 (vs Sheffield Wednesday)
Lowest home attendance4,135 (vs Colchester United)
Average home league attendance5,419[1]

Players

As of End of Season.[2]

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Wales WAL Anthony Williams
2 DF England ENG Michael Barron
3 DF England ENG Mark Robinson
4 MF England ENG Mark Tinkler
5 DF England ENG Michael Nelson
6 DF England ENG Chris Westwood
7 MF England ENG Darrell Clarke
8 MF England ENG Ritchie Humphreys
9 FW Wales WAL Eifion Williams
12 MF Northern Ireland NIR Stephen Carson
14 MF Guyana GUY Neil Danns
15 FW England ENG Adam Boyd
16 DF Scotland SCO Hugh Robertson
17 FW Wales WAL Jermaine Easter
18 MF England ENG Antony Sweeney
19 GK England ENG Jim Provett
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 DF England ENG John Brackstone
21 MF England ENG Steven Istead
22 MF England ENG Matty Robson
23 FW England ENG Paul Robinson
24 DF Scotland SCO Andy Jordan
25 MF Scotland SCO Gavin Strachan
26 DF Australia AUS Adam van Dommele
27 FW England ENG David Foley
28 DF Scotland SCO Ryan McCann
29 DF England ENG Darren Craddock
30 GK Greece GRE Dimitrios Konstantopoulos
31 FW England ENG Jack Wilkinson
32 FW Australia AUS Joel Porter
33 DF Scotland SCO Scott Walker
34 FW England ENG Andrew Appleby

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Position Player From Fee Ref
30 July 2003DFAndy JordanCardiff CityFree[3]
30 July 2003FWPaul RobinsonBlackpoolFree[4]
8 August 2003MFGavin StrachanSouthend UnitedFree[5]
28 August 2003DFRyan McCannCelticFree[6]
17 October 2003GKDimitrios KonstantopoulosFarenseFree[7]
25 November 2003FWJoel PorterSydney OlympicFree[8]
15 January 2004DFScott WalkerDunfermlineFree[9]
29 January 2004DFHugh RobertsonRoss CountyUndisclosed[10]
19 February 2004MFStephen CarsonBarnsleyFree[11]

Loans in

Date Position Player From Loan Length Ref
25 November 2003FWDanny ByrneManchester UnitedOne month[12]
10 December 2003MFChris ShukerManchester CityThree months[13]
13 March 2004MFNeil DannsBlackburn RoversEnd of season[lower-alpha 1][15]
  1. The first loan was for one month but was extended on 15 April 2004 until the end of the season.[14]

Transfers out

Date Position Player From Fee Ref
31 October 2003FWKevin HendersonCarlisle UnitedFree[16]
12 January 2004FWMarcus RichardsonLincoln CityFree[17]
19 January 2004FWMarco GabbiadiniRetiredRetired[18]
2 February 2004MFPaul ArnisonCarlisle UnitedFree[19]
25 May 2004GKAnthony WilliamsGrimsby TownFree[20]
25 May 2004DFMark RobinsonHereford UnitedFree[21]
25 May 2004DFScott WalkerBrechin CityFree[22]
25 May 2004MFStephen CarsonColeraineFree[23]
25 May 2004FWJermaine EasterCambridge UnitedFree[24]

    Loans out

    Date Position Player From Loan Length Ref
    22 August 2003FWMarcus RichardsonLincoln CityOne month[lower-alpha 1][26]
    31 October 2003MFPaul ArnisonCarlisle UnitedEnd of season[27]
    1. The first loan was for one month but was extended on 25 September 2003 for an additional month.[25]

    Competitions

    Pre-season friendlies

    16 July 2003 (2003-07-16) TOP Oss 0–6 Hartlepool United Frans Heesen Stadion, Oss
    19:00 Williams
    Clarke
    Richardson
    Henderson
    30 July 2003 (2003-07-30) Billingham Town 1–4 Hartlepool United Bedford Terrace, Billingham
    19:00 Moore 3', 41'
    Henderson 30'
    Robson 78'
    1 August 2003 (2003-08-01) Hartlepool United 0–6 Newcastle United Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:00 Bellamy 9'
    Shearer 17', 28', 35'
    Solano 47'
    Speed 52'
    Attendance: 4,712
    2 August 2003 (2003-08-02) Whitby Town 0–1 Hartlepool United Turnbull Ground, Whitby
    15:00 Henderson 44'

    League table

    Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
    4 Brighton & Hove Albion (O, P) 46 22 11 13 64 43 +21 77 Participated in play-offs
    5 Swindon Town 46 20 13 13 76 58 +18 73
    6 Hartlepool United 46 20 13 13 76 61 +15 73
    7 Port Vale 46 21 10 15 73 63 +10 73
    8 Tranmere Rovers 46 17 16 13 59 56 +3 67
    Source: [28]
    Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
    (O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted

    Results summary

    OverallHomeAway
    PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
    46 20 13 13 76 61  +15 73 10 8 5 39 24  +15 10 5 8 37 37  0

    Results by matchday

    Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
    GroundAHAHAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA
    ResultWDDWLDWWLDWDDLWDLWLWLDLWWDLWDLDWWWLDWLLWWWWWLD
    Position661259124267455977868510811106898910101185786997666566
    Source:
    A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

    Results

    9 August 2003 (2003-08-09) 1 Peterborough United 3–4 Hartlepool United London Road, Peterborough
    15:00 Arber 18'
    Clarke 23', 51'
    Strachan 38'
    Robinson 55'
    Robson 70'
    Nelson 85'
    Attendance: 5,965 (990 away fans)
    Referee: Grant Hegley
    16 August 2003 (2003-08-16) 2 Hartlepool United 0–0 Tranmere Rovers Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Attendance: 5,357 (445 away fans)
    Referee: Lee Mason
    23 August 2003 (2003-08-23) 3 Bristol City 1–1 Hartlepool United Ashton Gate, Bristol
    15:00 Peacock 56' Gabbiadini 73' Attendance: 10,730 (250 away fans)
    Referee: Andy Hall
    25 August 2003 (2003-08-25) 4 Hartlepool United 2–0 Port Vale Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Robinson 2'
    Gabbiadini 88' (pen.)
    Attendance: 5,314 (478 away fans)
    Referee: Paul Robinson
    30 August 2003 (2003-08-30) 5 Luton Town 3–2 Hartlepool United Kenilworth Road, Luton
    15:00 Howard 6', 23'
    McSheffrey 14'
    Clarke 40'
    Robinson 71' (pen.)
    Attendance: 5,515 (573 away fans)
    Referee: Brian Curson
    6 September 2003 (2003-09-06) 6 Hartlepool United 0–0 Oldham Athletic Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Attendance: 5,728 (836 away fans)
    Referee: Andy Penn
    12 September 2003 (2003-09-12) 7 Hartlepool United 8–1 Grimsby Town Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:45 Rowan 19' (O.G.)
    Robinson 20' (pen.)
    Strachan 28'
    Humphreys 31'
    Gabbiadini 60'
    Williams 66'
    Rowan 48' Attendance: 5,528 (272 away fans)
    Referee: Scott Mathieson
    16 September 2003 (2003-09-16) 8 Stockport County 1–2 Hartlepool United Edgeley Park, Stockport
    19:45 Wilbraham 43' Williams 8'
    Gabbiadini 54'
    Attendance: 4,021
    Referee: Tony Leake
    20 September 2003 (2003-09-20) 9 Brentford 2–1 Hartlepool United Griffin Park, Brentford
    15:00 Sonko 13'
    Wright 48'
    Tinkler 42' Attendance: 4,501 (592 away fans)
    Referee: Tony Bates
    27 September 2003 (2003-09-27) 10 Hartlepool United 0–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Attendance: 5,443 (446 away fans)
    Referee: Alan Butler
    30 September 2003 (2003-09-30) 11 Hartlepool United 2–0 Wrexham Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:45 Clarke 23', 37' Attendance: 4,677 (104 away fans)
    Referee: Chris Foy
    4 October 2003 (2003-10-04) 12 AFC Bournemouth 2–2 Hartlepool United Dean Court, Bournemouth
    15:00 Holmes 79'
    Feeney 81'
    Tinkler 10'
    Strachan 90'
    Attendance: 6,342 (263 away fans)
    Referee: Steve Tomlin
    10 October 2003 (2003-10-10) 13 Hartlepool United 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:45 Gabbiadini 84' Owusu 47' Attendance: 7,448 (916 away fans)
    Referee: Graham Salisbury
    18 October 2003 (2003-10-18) 14 Blackpool 4–0 Hartlepool United Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
    15:00 Douglas 4'
    Taylor 20', 40', 72' (pen.)
    Attendance: 6,871 (1,691 away fans)
    Referee: Mike Pike
    21 October 2003 (2003-10-21) 15 Chesterfield 1–2 Hartlepool United Recreation Ground, Chesterfield
    19:45 Cade 53' Evatt 26' (O.G.)
    Robinson 76'
    Attendance: 3,411 (321 away fans)
    Referee: Lee Probert
    25 October 2003 (2003-10-25) 16 Hartlepool United 1–1 Wycombe Wanderers Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Barron 40' Currie 3' Attendance: 5,153 (183 away fans)
    Referee: Martin Atkinson
    1 November 2003 (2003-11-01) 17 Notts County 1–0 Hartlepool United Meadow Lane, Nottingham
    15:00 Baldry 63' Attendance: 5,011 (675 away fans)
    Referee: Paul Danson
    15 November 2003 (2003-11-15) 18 Hartlepool United 2–1 Rushden & Diamonds Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Strachan 41' (pen.)
    Wilkinson 75'
    Jack 57' Attendance: 4,944 (203 away fans)
    Referee: Chris Foy
    22 November 2003 (2003-11-22) 19 Plymouth Argyle 2–0 Hartlepool United Home Park, Plymouth
    15:00 Keith 45'
    Lowndes 48'
    Attendance: 9,000 (93 away fans)
    Referee: Iain Williamson
    29 November 2003 (2003-11-29) 20 Hartlepool United 2–0 Swindon Town Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Strachan 18' (pen.)
    Wilkinson 86'
    Attendance: 4,493 (358 away fans)
    Referee: Eddie Evans
    13 December 2003 (2003-12-13) 21 QPR 4–1 Hartlepool United Loftus Road, London
    15:00 Gallen 27', 38'
    Padula 34'
    Ainsworth 50'
    Williams 71' Attendance: 15,003 (615 away fans)
    Referee: Andre Marriner
    20 December 2003 (2003-12-20) 22 Hartlepool United 0–0 Colchester United Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Attendance: 4,135 (135 away fans)
    Referee: Tony Leake
    26 December 2003 (2003-12-26) 23 Hartlepool United 1–2 Barnsley Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Williams 22' Betsy 45', 69' Attendance: 6,520 (925 away fans)
    Referee: Mark Halsey
    28 December 2003 (2003-12-28) 24 Oldham Athletic 0–2 Hartlepool United Boundary Park, Oldham
    15:00 Williams 45'
    Porter 79'
    Attendance: 6,243 (541 away fans)
    Referee: Joe Ross
    10 January 2004 (2004-01-10) 25 Hartlepool United 1–0 Peterborough United Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Williams 37' Attendance: 4,855 (192 away fans)
    Referee: David Pugh
    17 January 2004 (2004-01-17) 26 Tranmere Rovers 0–0 Hartlepool United Prenton Park, Birkenhead
    15:00 Attendance: 7,418 (366 away fans)
    Referee: Mark Cowburn
    24 January 2004 (2004-01-24) 27 Hartlepool United 1–2 Bristol City Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Tinkler 70' Peacock 54'
    Tinnion 76'
    Attendance: 5,375 (660 away fans)
    Referee: Alan Kaye
    27 January 2004 (2004-01-27) 28 Port Vale 2–5 Hartlepool United Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent
    19:45 Brooker 8'
    Cummins 87'
    Shuker 6'
    Humphreys 31'
    Nelson 69'
    Williams 74'
    Clarke 83'
    Attendance: 4,845 (95 away fans)
    Referee: Scott Mathieson
    7 February 2004 (2004-02-07) 29 Barnsley 2–2 Hartlepool United Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley
    15:00 Nardiello 56'
    Hayward 80'
    Williams 27'
    Tinkler 67'
    Attendance: 9,220 (752 away fans)
    Referee: Paul Robinson
    14 February 2004 (2004-02-14) 30 Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 Hartlepool United Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield
    15:00 Ndumbu-Nsungu 80' (pen.) Attendance: 20,732 (2,144 away fans)
    Referee: Alan Butler
    20 February 2004 (2004-02-20) 31 Hartlepool United 1–1 Blackpool Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:45 Robertson 51' Sheron 74' Attendance: 5,497 (403 away fans)
    Referee: Mark Clattenburg
    28 February 2004 (2004-02-28) 32 Wycombe Wanderers 3–4 Hartlepool United The Causeway Stadium, High Wycombe
    15:00 Simpemba 8'
    McSporran 23'
    Tyson 64'
    Williams 4', 46'
    Robertson 10'
    Tinkler 39' (pen)
    Attendance: 4,731 (349 away fans)
    Referee: Mark Warren
    2 March 2004 (2004-03-02) 33 Hartlepool United 2–0 Chesterfield Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:45 Williams 52'
    Tinkler 71'
    Attendance: 4,736 (195 away fans)
    Referee: Carl Boyeson
    6 March 2004 (2004-03-06) 34 Colchester United 1–2 Hartlepool United Layer Road, Colchester
    15:00 Halford 35' Nelson 17'
    Istead 78'
    Attendance: 3,348 (320 away fans)
    Referee: Trevor Kettle
    13 March 2004 (2004-03-13) 35 Hartlepool United 1–4 QPR Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Porter 88' Furlong 48', 74'
    Gallen 52'
    Rowlands 76'
    Attendance: 6,519 (850 away fans)
    Referee: Ray Oliver
    20 March 2004 (2004-03-20) 36 Hartlepool United 2–2 Stockport County Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    17:45 Williams 10'
    Porter 58'
    Lambert 20' (pen.)
    Daly 21'
    Attendance: 4,674 (281 away fans)
    Referee: Phil Prosser
    20 March 2004 (2004-03-20) 37 Grimsby Town 0–2 Hartlepool United Blundell Park, Cleethorpes
    15:00 Boyd 29', 87' Attendance: 4,303 (506 away fans)
    Referee: Lee Mason
    27 March 2004 (2004-03-27) 38 Hartlepool United 1–2 Brentford Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Boyd 38' Tabb 2'
    Dobson 33'
    Attendance: 5,206 (235 away fans)
    Referee: Michael Ryan
    3 April 2004 (2004-04-03) 39 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Hartlepool United Withdean Stadium, Brighton
    15:00 Knight 68'
    Iwelumo 90'
    Attendance: 6,257 (203 away fans)
    Referee: Joe Ross
    6 April 2004 (2004-04-06) 40 Hartlepool United 4–3 Luton Town Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    19:45 Sweeney 14'
    Boyd 53', 90' (pen.)
    Robertson 55'
    Howard 3'
    Leary 31', 59'
    Attendance: 4,434 (284 away fans)
    Referee: Fraser Stretton
    10 April 2004 (2004-04-10) 41 Hartlepool United 2–1 AFC Bournemouth Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Boyd 38', 69' Hayter 31' Attendance: 5,544 (238 away fans)
    Referee: Phil Joslin
    12 April 2004 (2004-04-12) 42 Wrexham 1–2 Hartlepool United Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
    15:00 Barrett 71' Clarke 41'
    Danns 63'
    Attendance: 3,786 (425 away fans)
    Referee: Trevor Parkes
    17 April 2004 (2004-04-17) 43 Hartlepool United 4–0 Notts County Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Humphreys 42'
    Boyd 55', 56'
    Robertson 69'
    Attendance: 5,629 (325 away fans)
    Referee: Kevin Wright
    24 April 2004 (2004-04-24) 44 Rushden & Diamonds 0–2 Hartlepool United Nene Park, Irthlingborough
    15:00 Williams 56'
    Boyd 79'
    Attendance: 4,568 (1,103 away fans)
    Referee: Andre Marriner
    1 May 2004 (2004-05-01) 45 Hartlepool United 1–3 Plymouth Argyle Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Boyd 11' Hodges 12'
    Lowndes 42'
    Tinkler 48' (O.G.)
    Attendance: 7,437 (892 away fans)
    Referee: Tony Leake
    8 May 2004 (2004-05-08) 46 Swindon Town 1–1 Hartlepool United County Ground, Swindon
    15:00 Igoe 7' Boyd 71' Attendance: 11,627 (1,468 away fans)
    Referee: Mike Fletcher

    Play-offs

    15 May 2004 (2004-05-15) First Leg Hartlepool United 1–1 Bristol City Victoria Park, Hartlepool
    15:00 Porter 74' Rougier 5' Attendance: 7,211 (668 away fans)
    Referee: Paul Taylor
    19 May 2004 (2004-05-19) Second Leg Bristol City 2–1 Hartlepool United Ashton Gate, Bristol
    19:45 Goodfellow 88'
    Roberts 90'
    Sweeney 63' Attendance: 18,434 (1,168 away fans)
    Referee: Graham Poll

    FA Cup

    8 November 2003 First Round Hartlepool United 4–0 Whitby Town Hartlepool
    15:00 Gabbiadini 25', 30'
    Humphreys 51'
    Brackstone 68'
    Report Stadium: Victoria Park
    Attendance: 5,294 (688 away fans)
    Referee: Michael Ryan
    7 December 2003 Second Round Burton Albion 0–1 Hartlepool United Burton
    15:00 Report Porter 70' Stadium: Eton Park
    Attendance: 3,132 (468 away fans)
    Referee: Phil Crossley
    3 January 2004 Third Round Sunderland 1–0 Hartlepool United Sunderland
    15:00 Arca 53' Report Stadium: Stadium of Light
    Attendance: 40,816 (9,109 away fans)
    Referee: Graham Barber

    League Cup

    23 September 2003 Second Round Hartlepool United 1–2 West Brom Hartlepool
    19:45 Robinson 45' (pen.) Report Clement 62'
    Hulse 81'
    Stadium: Victoria Park
    Attendance: 5,265 (566 away fans)
    Referee: Phil Prosser

    League Trophy

    14 October 2003 First Round Oldham Athletic 3–3
    (5–3 p)
    Hartlepool United Oldham
    19:45 Zola 6'
    Vernon 22'
    Boshell 71'
    Report Williams 12'
    Clarke 59', 90'
    Stadium: Boundary Park
    Attendance: 3,575 (103 away fans)
    Referee: Fraser Stretton
    Penalties
    Vernon soccer ball with check mark
    Boshell soccer ball with check mark
    Holden soccer ball with check mark
    Hudson soccer ball with check mark
    Clegg soccer ball with check mark
    Robinson soccer ball with red X
    Robinson soccer ball with check mark
    Tinkler soccer ball with check mark
    Boyd soccer ball with check mark

    References

    1. "Average League Attendances 2003-2004". East Midlands Football. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
    2. "First team squad". FootballSquads. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
    3. "Andy Jordan". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    4. "Paul Robinson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    5. "Gavin Strachan". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    6. "Ryan McCann". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    7. "Dimi Konstantopoulos". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    8. "Joel Porter". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    9. "Scott Walker". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    10. "Hugh Robertson - Player Profile". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    11. "Carson ponders Ports move". BBC Sport. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
    12. "Danny Byrne". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    13. "Pool extend Shuker stay". BBC Sport. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    14. "Neil Danns". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
    15. "Pool keep Danns". Teesside Live. 19 June 2003.
    16. "Transfers - October 2003". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    17. "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    18. "Gabbiadini quites football". BBC Sport. 19 January 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    19. "Paul Arnison". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    20. "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    21. "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    22. "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    23. "Paul Arnison". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    24. "Cambridge seal Easter deal". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    25. "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    26. "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    27. "Transfers - October 2003". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
    28. "England 2003–04". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.