# 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, 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

    As of End of Season.

### Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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
### Transfers in

| Date | Position | Player | From | Fee |
| 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 |
| 19 February 2004 | MF | Stephen Carson | Barnsley | Free |

### Loans in

| Date | Position | Player | From | Loan Length |
| 25 November 2003 | FW | Danny Byrne | Manchester United | One month |
| 10 December 2003 | MF | Chris Shuker | Manchester City | Three months |
| 13 March 2004 | MF | Neil Danns | Blackburn Rovers | End of season |
* ↑ The first loan was for one month but was extended on 15 April 2004 until the end of the season.

### Transfers out

| Date | Position | Player | From | Fee |
| 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 | Retired |
| 2 February 2004 | MF | Paul Arnison | Carlisle United | Free |
| 25 May 2004 | GK | Anthony Williams | Grimsby Town | Free |
| 25 May 2004 | DF | Mark Robinson | Hereford United | Free |
| 25 May 2004 | DF | Scott Walker | Brechin City | Free |
| 25 May 2004 | MF | Stephen Carson | Coleraine | Free |
| 25 May 2004 | FW | Jermaine Easter | Cambridge United | Free |

### Loans out

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

## Competitions
### Football League Second Division
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | 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 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
| 5 | Swindon Town | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 76 | 58 | +18 | 73 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
| 6 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 76 | 61 | +15 | 73 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
| 7 | Port Vale | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 73 | 63 | +10 | 73 | |
| 8 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 59 | 56 | +3 | 67 | |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |

#### Results by matchday

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A |
| Result | W | D | D | W | L | D | W | W | L | D | W | D | D | L | W | D | L | W | L | W | L | D | L | W | W | D | L | W | D | L | D | W | W | W | L | D | W | L | L | W | W | W | W | W | L | D |
| Position | 6 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |