| Club: | Hartlepool United |
| Season: | 2003–04 |
| Manager: | Neale Cooper |
| Chairman: | Ken Hodcroft |
| Owner: | IOR |
| Stadium: | Victoria Park |
| League: | Football League Second Division |
| League Result: | 6th |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Third round (eliminated by Sunderland) |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Second round (eliminated by West Brom) |
| Cup3: | League Trophy |
| Cup3 Result: | First round (eliminated by Oldham Athletic) |
| League Topscorer: | Eifion Williams (13) |
| Season Topscorer: | Eifion Williams (14) |
| Highest Attendance: | 7,448 (vs Sheffield Wednesday) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 4,135 (vs Colchester United) |
| Average Attendance: | 5,419[1] |
| Prevseason: | 2002–03 |
| Nextseason: | 2004–05 |
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.
See main article: 2002–03 Hartlepool United F.C. season.
See also: History of Hartlepool United F.C. and List of Hartlepool United F.C. seasons. 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.[2] Turner had turned around the club's fortunes since his appointment in February 1999.[3] After ensuring survival for Hartlepool in the Third Division in his first season, Turner oversaw three consecutive play-off finishes.[3] Turner's successor was Mike Newell who inherited a side four points clear at the top of the league.[4] Hartlepool managed to build a 12 point lead at the top of the division by early 2003 ahead of Rushden & Diamonds.[4] 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.[4] [5] Despite winning promotion in second place, Newell's contract was not renewed.[4]
In June 2003, former Ross County manager Neale Cooper was appointed as Newell's successor in a surprise decision.[4] Early in his tenure, Cooper lost key defender Graeme Lee on a free transfer.[4] Lee was replaced by Bury's Michael Nelson.[4]
Hartlepool's 2003–04 campaign began with an away fixture at Peterborough United which Hartlepool won.[4] This solid start to the season continued, including a notable 8–1 home victory against Grimsby Town.[4] By Christmas, Hartlepool were just outside the play-off positions.[4]
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.[4] The Sunderland match saw an attendance of over 40,000 supporters; breaking the attendance record for any Hartlepool match.[6] The First Division side narrowly won 1–0 courtesy of an impressive goal by Julio Arca.[6]
In April, Hartlepool won five consecutive matches to maintain their play-off hunt.[6] This play-off finish was ultimately secured late in the season.[6] In the play-off semi-final first leg, Hartlepool faced Bristol City at Victoria Park in front of a near sell out crowd.[6] The away side took the lead in the first half before Joel Porter found a late equaliser for Hartlepool.[6] In the away tie at Ashton Gate, Antony Sweeney gave Hartlepool the lead after an hour.[6] Hartlepool conceded with two minutes to go before Bristol City found a winner in injury time.[6] This was Hartlepool's fourth play-off semi-final defeat in five years.[6]
| Date | Position | Player | From | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 July 2003 | DF | Free | [8] | ||
| 30 July 2003 | FW | Free | [9] | ||
| 8 August 2003 | MF | Free | [10] | ||
| 28 August 2003 | DF | Free | [11] | ||
| 17 October 2003 | GK | Free | [12] | ||
| 25 November 2003 | FW | Free | [13] | ||
| 15 January 2004 | DF | Free | [14] | ||
| 29 January 2004 | DF | Undisclosed | [15] | ||
| 19 February 2004 | MF | Free | [16] | ||
| Date | Position | Player | From | Loan Length | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 November 2003 | FW | One month | [17] | |||
| 10 December 2003 | MF | Three months | [18] | |||
| 13 March 2004 | MF | End of season | [19] |
| Date | Position | Player | From | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 October 2003 | FW | Free | [20] | ||
| 12 January 2004 | FW | Free | [21] | ||
| 19 January 2004 | FW | Retired | Retired | [22] | |
| 2 February 2004 | MF | Free | [23] | ||
| 25 May 2004 | GK | Free | [24] | ||
| 25 May 2004 | DF | Free | [25] | ||
| 25 May 2004 | DF | Free | [26] | ||
| 25 May 2004 | MF | Free | [27] | ||
| 25 May 2004 | FW | Free | [28] | ||
| Date | Position | Player | From | Loan Length | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 August 2003 | FW | One month | [29] | |||
| 31 October 2003 | MF | End of season | [30] |
See main article: 2003–04 Football League.
See main article: 2003–04 FA Cup.
See main article: 2003–04 Football League Cup.
See main article: 2003–04 Football League Trophy.