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 edit

As of End of Season.[2]

Current squad edit

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

Transfers edit

Transfers in edit

Date Position Player From Fee Ref
30 July 2003 DF Andy Jordan Cardiff City Free [3]
30 July 2003 FW Paul Robinson Blackpool Free [4]
8 August 2003 MF Gavin Strachan Southend United Free [5]
28 August 2003 DF Ryan McCann Celtic Free [6]
17 October 2003 GK Dimitrios Konstantopoulos Farense Free [7]
25 November 2003 FW Joel Porter Sydney Olympic Free [8]
15 January 2004 DF Scott Walker Dunfermline Free [9]
29 January 2004 DF Hugh Robertson Ross County Undisclosed [10]
19 February 2004 MF Stephen Carson Barnsley Free [11]

Loans in edit

Date Position Player From Loan Length Ref
25 November 2003 FW Danny Byrne Manchester United One month [12]
10 December 2003 MF Chris Shuker Manchester City Three months [13]
13 March 2004 MF Neil Danns Blackburn Rovers End of season[a] [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 edit

Date Position Player From Fee Ref
31 October 2003 FW Kevin Henderson Carlisle United Free [16]
12 January 2004 FW Marcus Richardson Lincoln City Free [17]
19 January 2004 FW Marco Gabbiadini Retired Retired [18]
2 February 2004 MF Paul Arnison Carlisle United Free [19]
25 May 2004 GK Anthony Williams Grimsby Town Free [20]
25 May 2004 DF Mark Robinson Hereford United Free [21]
25 May 2004 DF Scott Walker Brechin City Free [22]
25 May 2004 MF Stephen Carson Coleraine Free [23]
25 May 2004 FW Jermaine Easter Cambridge United Free [24]

Loans out edit

Date Position Player From Loan Length Ref
22 August 2003 FW Marcus Richardson Lincoln City One month[a] [26]
31 October 2003 MF Paul Arnison Carlisle United End of season [27]
  1. ^ The first loan was for one month but was extended on 25 September 2003 for an additional month.[25]

Competitions edit

Pre-season friendlies edit

16 July 2003 (2003-07-16) TOP Oss 0–6 Hartlepool United Frans Heesen Stadion, Oss
19:00 [1] Williams    
Clarke  
Richardson  
Henderson  
30 July 2003 (2003-07-30) Billingham Town 1–4 Hartlepool United Bedford Terrace, Billingham
19:00 [7] Moore   3', 41'
Henderson   30'
Robson   78'
1 August 2003 (2003-08-01) Hartlepool United 0–6 Newcastle United Victoria Park, Hartlepool
19:00 [8] 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 [9] Henderson   44'

Football League Second Division edit

League table edit

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 edit

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
46 20 13 13 76 61  +15 73 10 8 5 39 24  +15 10 5 8 37 37  0

Results by matchday edit

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

Results edit

9 August 2003 (2003-08-09) 1 Peterborough United 3–4 Hartlepool United London Road, Peterborough
15:00 Arber   18'
Clarke   23', 51'
[10] 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 [11] 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' [12] 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.)
[13] 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'
[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 [15] 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'
[16] 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' [17] 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'
[18] 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 [19] 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' [20] 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'
[21] 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' [22] 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.)
[23] 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' [24] 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' [25] 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' [26] 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'
[27] 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'
[28] 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'
[29] 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'
[30] 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 [31] 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' [32] 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 [33] 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' [34] 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 [35] 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' [36] 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'
[37] 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'
[38] 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.) [39] 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' [40] 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'
[41] 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'
[42] 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' [43] 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' [44] 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'
[45] 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 [46] 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' [47] 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'
[48] 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'
[49] 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' [50] 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' [51] 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'
[52] 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 [53] 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' [54] 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' [55] Boyd   71' Attendance: 11,627 (1,468 away fans)
Referee: Mike Fletcher

Play-offs edit

15 May 2004 (2004-05-15) First Leg Hartlepool United 1–1 Bristol City Victoria Park, Hartlepool
15:00 Porter   74' [56] 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'
[57] Sweeney   63' Attendance: 18,434 (1,168 away fans)
Referee: Graham Poll

FA Cup edit

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 edit

13 August 2003 First Round Sheffield Wednesday 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Hartlepool United Sheffield
19:45 Lee   50'
Wood   115'
Report Robinson   56' (pen.)
Istead   104'
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 13,410 (1,099 away fans)
Referee: George Cain
Penalties
Quinn  
Smith  
Kuqi  
Cooke  
Barry-Murphy  
Robinson  
Henderson  
Robson  
Jordan  
Strachan  
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 edit

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  
Boshell  
Holden  
Hudson  
Clegg  
Robinson  
Robinson  
Tinkler  
Boyd  

References edit

  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.