2003–04 Hartlepool United F.C. season

Hartlepool United
2003–04 season
Owner	IOR
Chairman	Ken Hodcroft
Manager	Neale Cooper
Stadium	Victoria Park
Football League Second Division	6th
FA Cup	Third round; (eliminated by Sunderland)
League Cup	Second round; (eliminated by West Brom)
League Trophy	First round ; (eliminated by; Oldham Athletic)
Top goalscorer	League: ; Eifion Williams (13); All: ; Eifion Williams (14)
Highest home attendance	7,448 (vs Sheffield Wednesday)
Lowest home attendance	4,135 (vs Colchester United)
Average home league attendance	5,419
	← 2002–03 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.

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.^[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]

Review and events

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]

Players

As of End of Season.^[7]

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	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	Ref
30 July 2003	DF	Andy Jordan	Cardiff City	Free	^[8]
30 July 2003	FW	Paul Robinson	Blackpool	Free	^[9]
8 August 2003	MF	Gavin Strachan	Southend United	Free	^[10]
28 August 2003	DF	Ryan McCann	Celtic	Free	^[11]
17 October 2003	GK	Dimitrios Konstantopoulos	Farense	Free	^[12]
25 November 2003	FW	Joel Porter	Sydney Olympic	Free	^[13]
15 January 2004	DF	Scott Walker	Dunfermline	Free	^[14]
29 January 2004	DF	Hugh Robertson	Ross County	Undisclosed	^[15]
19 February 2004	MF	Stephen Carson	Barnsley	Free	^[16]

Loans in

Date	Position	Player	From	Loan Length	Ref
25 November 2003	FW	Danny Byrne	Manchester United	One month	^[17]
10 December 2003	MF	Chris Shuker	Manchester City	Three months	^[18]
13 March 2004	MF	Neil Danns	Blackburn Rovers	End of season^[a]	^[20]

^ The first loan was for one month but was extended on 15 April 2004 until the end of the season.^[19]

Transfers out

Date	Position	Player	From	Fee	Ref
31 October 2003	FW	Kevin Henderson	Carlisle United	Free	^[21]
12 January 2004	FW	Marcus Richardson	Lincoln City	Free	^[22]
19 January 2004	FW	Marco Gabbiadini	Retired	Retired	^[23]
2 February 2004	MF	Paul Arnison	Carlisle United	Free	^[24]
25 May 2004	GK	Anthony Williams	Grimsby Town	Free	^[25]
25 May 2004	DF	Mark Robinson	Hereford United	Free	^[26]
25 May 2004	DF	Scott Walker	Brechin City	Free	^[27]
25 May 2004	MF	Stephen Carson	Coleraine	Free	^[28]
25 May 2004	FW	Jermaine Easter	Cambridge United	Free	^[29]

Loans out

Date	Position	Player	From	Loan Length	Ref
22 August 2003	FW	Marcus Richardson	Lincoln City	One month^[a]	^[31]
31 October 2003	MF	Paul Arnison	Carlisle United	End of season	^[32]

^ The first loan was for one month but was extended on 25 September 2003 for an additional month.^[30]

Competitions

Pre-season friendlies

16 July 2003 (2003-07-16)	TOP Oss	0–6	Hartlepool United	Frans Heesen Stadion, Oss
19:00		[1]	Williams Clarke Richardson Henderson

18 July 2003 (2003-07-18)	Heerenveen	3–3	Hartlepool United	Abe Lenstra Stadion, Heerenveen
19:00	Håkansson	[2]	Westwood Gabbiadini Tinkler

23 July 2003 (2003-07-23)	Sunderland Reserves	1–1	Hartlepool United	Academy of Light, Sunderland
15:00	Flo	[3]	Robinson

25 July 2003 (2003-07-25)	Leeds United	4–3	Hartlepool United	Elland Road, Leeds
19:00		[4]	Robinson Williams Clarke

27 July 2003 (2003-07-27)	Hartlepool United	1–3	Sheffield Wednesday	Victoria Park, Hartlepool
15:00	Henderson 42'	[5]	Owusu 12' McClaren 13' Armstrong 56'

29 July 2003 (2003-07-29)	Berwick Rangers	2–3	Hartlepool United	Shielfield Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed
19:00		[6]	Robinson pen.' Williams Clarke

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

League table

Pos	Team v t e	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
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: ^[33]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted

Results summary


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

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

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
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'	[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

15 May 2004 (2004-05-15) Semi-final 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) Semi-final second leg	Bristol City	2–1 (3–2 agg.)	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

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

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

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

^ "Average League Attendances 2003-2004". East Midlands Football. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
^ Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 79–80, 290. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.
^ ^a ^b Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 289–290. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.
^ Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 293. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.
^ "First team squad". FootballSquads. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
^ "Andy Jordan". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Paul Robinson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Gavin Strachan". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Ryan McCann". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Dimi Konstantopoulos". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Joel Porter". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Scott Walker". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Hugh Robertson - Player Profile". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Carson ponders Ports move". BBC Sport. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
^ "Danny Byrne". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Pool extend Shuker stay". BBC Sport. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Neil Danns". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ "Pool keep Danns". Teesside Live. 19 June 2003.
^ "Transfers - October 2003". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Gabbiadini quites football". BBC Sport. 19 January 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Paul Arnison". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Paul Arnison". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Cambridge seal Easter deal". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "Transfers - October 2003". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
^ "England 2003–04". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.

[20] The first loan was for one month but was extended on 15 April 2004 until the end of the season.^[19]

[32] The first loan was for one month but was extended on 25 September 2003 for an additional month.^[30]

[1] "Average League Attendances 2003-2004". East Midlands Football. Retrieved 23 September 2020.

[2] Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 79–80, 290. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.

[ME8990-3] Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 289–290. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.

[ME80-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.

[5] Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 293. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.

[ME81-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-78091-030-7.

[7] "First team squad". FootballSquads. Retrieved 23 September 2020.

[8] "Andy Jordan". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[9] "Paul Robinson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[10] "Gavin Strachan". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[11] "Ryan McCann". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[12] "Dimi Konstantopoulos". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[13] "Joel Porter". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[14] "Scott Walker". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[15] "Hugh Robertson - Player Profile". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[16] "Carson ponders Ports move". BBC Sport. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2021.

[17] "Danny Byrne". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[18] "Pool extend Shuker stay". BBC Sport. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[19] "Neil Danns". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

[21] "Pool keep Danns". Teesside Live. 19 June 2003.

[22] "Transfers - October 2003". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[23] "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[24] "Gabbiadini quites football". BBC Sport. 19 January 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[25] "Paul Arnison". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[26] "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[27] "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[28] "Hartlepool release quartet". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[29] "Paul Arnison". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[30] "Cambridge seal Easter deal". BBC Sport. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[31] "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[33] "Marcus Richardson". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[34] "Transfers - October 2003". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2021.

[rsssf-35] "England 2003–04". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.

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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

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

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