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]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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
^Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 79–80, 290. ISBN978-1-78091-030-7.
^ abErrington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 289–290. ISBN978-1-78091-030-7.
^ abcdefghijkErrington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 80. ISBN978-1-78091-030-7.
^Errington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 293. ISBN978-1-78091-030-7.
^ abcdefghiErrington, Malcolm (2012). Hartlepool United The Complete Record. Derby: The Derby Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 81. ISBN978-1-78091-030-7.
