2003–04 Hibernian F.C. season
Season 2003–04 was a disappointment for Hibernian, as the team again finished in the bottom half of the Scottish Premier League, and was knocked out at the first stage of the Scottish Cup. The main highlight of the season was the run to the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final, which Hibs reached by defeating both halves of the Old Firm. This also ended in disappointment, however, as the Final was lost 2–0 to Livingston. A month after that defeat, manager Bobby Williamson was allowed to leave the club to manage Plymouth Argyle.[2]
| 2003–04 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Ken Lewandowski |
| Manager | Bobby Williamson (until 20 April 2004) |
| SPL | 8th |
| Scottish Cup | R3 |
| CIS Cup | Final |
| Top goalscorer | League: Riordan, 15 All: Riordan, 18 |
| Highest home attendance | 15060[1] |
| Lowest home attendance | 5447[1] |
| Average home league attendance | 9150[1] (down 787) |
League season
With the Hibs squad "stretched to its limits" by injuries to Ian Murray, Grant Brebner, Stephen Glass and Yannick Zambernardi, Hibs again struggled in the league.[2] Financial problems meant that the club had sold or released many of its senior players during Bobby Williamson's time in charge, and even Williamson's own long-term contract was renegotiated to a shorter term and lower salary.[2] The Hibs board were also apparently willing to allow Plymouth Argyle to take Williamson when made an approach in April 2004.[2] Williamson's assistants, Gerry McCabe and Jim Clark, took charge of the team for the remainder of the season,[3] with Tony Mowbray appointed soon after its conclusion.[4]
Results
| 9 August 2003 SPL | Dundee United | 1–2 | Hibernian | Tannadice Park, Dundee |
Samuel  46' |
Riordan 74' McManus 88' (pen.) |
Attendance: 9,809 Referee: Clark |
| 17 August 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 1–0 | Heart of Midlothian | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| O'Connor 90' |
Attendance: 14,803 Referee: Dougal |
| 23 August 2003 SPL | Rangers | 5–2 | Hibernian | Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow |
| Mols 34', 62' Murray 43' (o.g.)Arteta 67'Burke 84' |
Murray 29' McManus 36' |
Attendance: 49,642 Referee: McDonald |
| 30 August 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 1–1 | Aberdeen | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Brown 69' |
Anderson 6' |
Attendance: 10,682 Referee: Brines |
| 13 September 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 0–2 | Motherwell | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Clarkson 45', 75' |
Attendance: 8,387 Referee: Clark |
| 20 September 2003 SPL | Dunfermline Athletic | 0–0 | Hibernian | East End Park, Dunfermline |
| Attendance: 9,715 Referee: McCurry |
| 27 September 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 1–2 | Celtic | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Doumbe 38' |
Thompson 40' (pen.) Larsson 51' |
Attendance: 12,032 Referee: Freeland |
| 4 October 2003 SPL | Partick Thistle | 0–1 | Hibernian | Firhill Stadium, Glasgow |
| Brebner 90' |
Attendance: 4,125 Referee: Rowbotham |
| 18 October 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 0–2 | Livingston | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Lilley 38', 83' |
Attendance: 8,562 Referee: Thomson |
| 25 October 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 3–1 | Kilmarnock | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Murdock 13' Riordan 16'O'Connor 90' |
Nish 80' |
Attendance: 7,191 Referee: Underhill |
| 1 November 2003 SPL | Dundee | 1–1 | Hibernian | Dens Park, Dundee |
| Novo 33' |
Riordan 81' |
Attendance: 7,032 Referee: Clark |
| 8 November 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 2–2 | Dundee United | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Brown 15' McCracken 90' (o.g.) |
McLaren 28' Robson 83' |
Attendance: 8,756 Referee: Richmond |
| 23 November 2003 SPL | Heart of Midlothian | 2–0 | Hibernian | Tynecastle, Edinburgh |
| Orman 9' (o.g.) Smith 67' (o.g.) |
Attendance: 16,632 Referee: Dallas |
| 30 November 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 0–1 | Rangers | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Hughes 90' |
Attendance: 11,160 Referee: Dougal |
| 7 December 2003 SPL | Aberdeen | 3–1 | Hibernian | Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen |
| Hinds 26' Booth 85', 90' (pen.) |
Dobbie 57' |
Attendance: 7,863 Referee: Clark |
| 13 December 2003 SPL | Motherwell | 0–1 | Hibernian | Fir Park, Motherwell |
| Riordan 90' |
Attendance: 4,533 Referee: Thomson |
| 21 December 2003 SPL | Hibernian | 1–2 | Dunfermline Athletic | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Riordan 63' |
Brewster 1', 36' |
Attendance: 9,085 Referee: Fyfe |
| 27 December 2003 SPL | Celtic | 6–0 | Hibernian | Celtic Park, Glasgow |
| Sutton 4', 54' (pen.) Hartson 45', 60'Larsson 66'Petrov 77' |
Attendance: 59,609 Referee: Freeland |
| 3 January 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 3–2 | Partick Thistle | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| O'Connor 9' Dobbie 35'Whittaker 84' |
Grady 53' Madaschi 78' |
Attendance: 8,875 Referee: Brines |
| 17 January 2004 SPL | Livingston | 1–0 | Hibernian | Almondvale, Livingston |
| Makel 26' |
Attendance: 5,621 Referee: Underhill |
| 24 January 2004 SPL | Kilmarnock | 0–2 | Hibernian | Rugby Park, Kilmarnock |
| Brown 48' O'Connor 50' |
Attendance: 5,571 Referee: Dallas |
| 31 January 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 1–1 | Dundee | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Riordan 69' (pen.) |
Fotheringham 44' |
Attendance: 8,023 Referee: Conroy |
| 10 February 2004 SPL | Dundee United | 0–0 | Hibernian | Tannadice Park, Dundee |
| Attendance: 6,389 Referee: Thomson |
| 15 February 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 1–1 | Heart of Midlothian | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Riordan 24' |
Pressley 47' (pen.) |
Attendance: 15,060 Referee: McCurry |
| 21 February 2004 SPL | Rangers | 3–0 | Hibernian | Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow |
| Arveladze 9' (pen.) Mols 66'Thompson 83' (pen.) |
Attendance: 49,698 Referee: Dallas |
| 28 February 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 0–1 | Aberdeen | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Morrison 5' |
Attendance: 10,416 Referee: Brines |
| 21 March 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 0–4 | Celtic | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Agathe 18', 81' Larsson 35', 49' |
Attendance: 9,456 Referee: McDonald |
| 24 March 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 3–3 | Motherwell | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Nicol 6' Reid 37'Riordan 62' (pen.) |
Lasley 46' Adams 60' (pen.)Doumbe 80' (o.g.) |
Attendance: 5,670 Referee: Freeland |
| 27 March 2004 SPL | Partick Thistle | 1–1 | Hibernian | Firhill Stadium, Glasgow |
| Thomson 70' (pen.) |
Murdock 68' |
Attendance: 3,155 Referee: Rowbotham |
| 3 April 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 3–1 | Livingston | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| McManus 39' Riordan 54', 83' |
Lilley 50' |
Attendance: 6,507 Referee: Dallas |
| 10 April 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 3–0 | Kilmarnock | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Caldwell 22' Thomson 45'Riordan 64' (pen.) |
Attendance: 7,326 Referee: Toner |
| 13 April 2004 SPL | Dunfermline Athletic | 1–1 | Hibernian | East End Park, Dunfermline |
| Dempsey 78' |
Riordan 5' |
Attendance: 5,041 Referee: Thomson |
| 17 April 2004 SPL | Dundee | 2–2 | Hibernian | Dens Park, Dundee |
| Lovell 38' Milne 90' |
Riordan 45' Riordan 50' (pen.) |
Attendance: 5,508 Referee: McDonald |
| 24 April 2004 SPL | Kilmarnock | 2–0 | Hibernian | Rugby Park, Kilmarnock |
| Boyd 28', 85' |
Attendance: 4,886 Referee: Clark |
| 1 May 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 1–0 | Dundee | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Riordan 42' |
Attendance: 6,180 Referee: Mackay |
| 5 May 2004 SPL | Hibernian | 1–2 | Partick Thistle | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Murdock 33' |
Grady 38' Murdock 60' (o.g.) |
Attendance: 5,447 Referee: Thomson |
| 8 May 2004 SPL | Aberdeen | 0–1 | Hibernian | Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen |
| O'Connor 90' |
Attendance: 6,781 Referee: Clark |
| 15 May 2004 SPL | Livingston | 4–1 | Hibernian | Almondvale, Livingston |
| Lovell 8' Lilley 64'Fernandez 78'Makel 89' |
Doumbe 75' |
Attendance: 4,409 Referee: McCurry |
Final table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation[lower-alpha 1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Motherwell | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 42 | 49 | −7 | 46 | |
| 7 | Dundee | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 48 | 57 | −9 | 46 | |
| 8 | Hibernian | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 41 | 60 | −19 | 44 | Qualification for the UEFA Intertoto Cup second round[lower-alpha 2] |
| 9 | Livingston | 38 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 48 | 57 | −9 | 43 | |
| 10 | Kilmarnock | 38 | 12 | 6 | 20 | 51 | 74 | −23 | 42 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Notes:
- Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six) for the last five matches.
- Hibernian qualified for the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup as the highest placed team to apply to participate in the competition.
Scottish League Cup
As one of the SPL clubs who had not automatically qualified for European competition, Hibs entered at the last 32 stage (second round) of the competition, in which they defeated Montrose 9–0 at Easter Road. Hibs were then given another home draw in the last 16, against Queen of the South, which Hibs won 2–1. In the quarter-final, Hibs were again drawn to play at home, but this time had to face league leaders Celtic. Despite falling behind early in the second half, Hibs won 2–1 thanks to a late goal by Kevin Thomson. Hibs were then given another tough draw for the semi-final, playing the other half of the Old Firm, Rangers. Nonetheless, Hibs won the tie 4–3 on penalties, with Frank de Boer's miss sending Hibs through. These two upset victories sent Hibs to the Final, where they met Livingston.[2] Hibs sold a remarkable 37,000 tickets for the game, suggesting that the club still had the drawing power to be a major force in Scottish football.[2] The match ended in major disappointment, however, as Livingston won 2–0 to lift the trophy.[2]
Results
| 23 September 2003 Scottish League Cup | Hibernian | 9–0 | Montrose | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Dobbie 1', 29', 31' (pen.) O'Connor 18', 85'Murray 66'Kerrigan 70' (o.g.)Riordan 78'Brown 86' |
Attendance: 5,032 Referee: Toner |
| 28 October 2003 Scottish League Cup | Hibernian | 2–1 | Queen of the South | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Riordan 11', 23' |
Burke 90' (pen.) |
Attendance: 7,613 Referee: McCurry |
| 18 December 2003 Scottish League Cup | Hibernian | 2–1 | Celtic | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Brebner 64' (pen.) Thomson 82' |
Varga 56' |
Attendance: 9,246 Referee: Rowbotham |
| 5 February 2004 Scottish League Cup | Hibernian | 1–1 AET (4 – 3 pen.) | Rangers | Hampden Park, Glasgow |
| Dobbie 79' |
Mols 40' |
Attendance: 27,954 Referee: Clark |
| 14 March 2004 Scottish League Cup | Hibernian | 0–2 | Livingston | Hampden Park, Glasgow |
| Lilley 50' McAllister 52' |
Attendance: 45,500 Referee: Young |
Scottish Cup
Results
| 10 January 2004 Scottish Cup | Hibernian | 0–2 | Rangers | Easter Road, Edinburgh |
| Arveladze 35' Løvenkrands 49' |
Attendance: 11,392 Referee: McCurry |
Transfers
Players in
|
Players out
|
Loans in |
Loans out
|
Player stats
During the 2003–04 season, Hibs used 27 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.[5][6] Goalkeeper Daniel Andersson was the only player to appear in every match, playing in 38 SPL matches, five League Cup ties and the one Scottish Cup tie.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | SPL | Scottish Cup | League Cup | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| GK |  SWE |
Daniel Andersson | 44 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| DF |  SCO |
Jonathan Baillie | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| DF | SCO |
Gary Caldwell | 19 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| DF |  FRA |
Mathias Kouo-Doumbé | 39 | 2 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| DF |  ENG |
Roland Edge | 24 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| DF | SCO |
John Kane | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} NIR |
Colin Murdock | 37 | 3 | 32 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| DF | SCO |
Jay Shields | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | SCO |
Gary Smith | 23 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| DF | SCO |
Steven Whittaker | 33 | 1 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| DF | FRA |
Yannick Zambernardi | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO |
Grant Brebner | 26 | 2 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |
| MF | SCO |
Scott Brown | 41 | 4 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| MF | SCO |
Stephen Glass | 14 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO |
Jamie McCluskey | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG |
Kevin McDonald | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO |
Ian Murray | 16 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| MF | SCO |
Kevin Nicol | 16 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| MF |  AUT |
Alen Orman | 20 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO |
Alan Reid | 23 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO |
Kevin Thomson | 27 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |
| MF |  FIN |
Jarkko Wiss | 14 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| FW | SCO |
Stephen Dobbie | 33 | 6 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | |
| FW | SCO |
Steven Fletcher | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | SCO |
Tam McManus | 37 | 3 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| FW | SCO |
Garry O'Connor | 39 | 7 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | |
| FW | SCO |
Derek Riordan | 40 | 18 | 34 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | |
See also
Notes
- "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- Few Hibees will mourn Williamson, BBC Sport, 20 April 2004.
- "Thordarson rejects Hibs". BBC Sport. 3 May 2004.
- "Mowbray is new Hibs boss". BBC Sport. 24 May 2004.
- "Hibernian 2003/2004 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
- The soccerbase statistics inaccurately attribute Kevin Thomson's appearance against Rangers on 30 November 2003 to "Steven Thomson".