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]

Hibernian
2003–04 season
ChairmanKen Lewandowski
ManagerBobby Williamson (until 20 April 2004)
SPL8th
Scottish CupR3
CIS CupFinal
Top goalscorerLeague: Riordan, 15
All: Riordan, 18
Highest home attendance15060[1]
Lowest home attendance5447[1]
Average home league attendance9150[1] (down 787)

League season

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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

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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
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

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
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[b]
9 Livingston 38 10 13 15 48 57 −9 43
10 Kilmarnock 38 12 6 20 51 74 −23 42
Source: Scottish Professional Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Notes:
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Hibernian qualified for the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup as the highest placed team to apply to participate in the competition.

Scottish League Cup

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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

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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

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Results

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10 January 2004 Scottish Cup Hibernian 0–2 Rangers Easter Road, Edinburgh
Arveladze   35'
Løvenkrands   49'
Attendance: 11,392
Referee: McCurry

Transfers

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Player stats

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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   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

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Few Hibees will mourn Williamson, BBC Sport, 20 April 2004.
  3. ^ "Thordarson rejects Hibs". BBC Sport. 3 May 2004.
  4. ^ "Mowbray is new Hibs boss". BBC Sport. 24 May 2004.
  5. ^ "Hibernian 2003/2004 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  6. ^ The soccerbase statistics inaccurately attribute Kevin Thomson's appearance against Rangers on 30 November 2003 to "Steven Thomson" Archived 2012-09-11 at archive.today.
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