2003–04 Birmingham City F.C. season

May 2021 May 2021 Birmingham City F.C. 2003–04 Steve Bruce David Gold Ground St Andrew's Premier League 10th FA Cup Fifth round League Cup Second round Mikael Forssell (17) Mikael Forssell (19) 29,588 vs Arsenal, 22 November 2003 18,688 vs Blackburn Rovers, FA Cup 3rd round, 3 January 2004 29,073http://stats.football365.com/2004/ENG/PR/attend.html Barclaycard Premiership 2003–2004 Season Attendance Table 365 Media Group Football365 3 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20110928185931/http://stats.football365.com/2004/ENG/PR/attend.html 28 September 2011 2002–03 2004–05 The 2003–04 season was Birmingham City Football Club's 101st season in the English football league system, their second season in the Premier League, and their 52nd season in the top tier of English football. They finished 10th in the 20-team league, three places higher than the previous season. They entered the FA Cup at the third round stage and lost to Sunderland in the fifth after a replay, and lost their opening second-round League Cup-tie to Blackpool. Top scorer was loan signing Mikael Forssell with 19 goals, 17 of which were scored in the league. Pre-season Pre-season friendlies DateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRef19 July 2003Burton AlbionAW4–0John (2) 3', 56', Dunn (2) 18', 30' (pen)1,952http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/news/content_objectid=13201841_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Blues-get-started-in-style-name_page.html Blues get started in style Colin Tattum Birmingham Evening Mail 21 July 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030814221250/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/news/content_objectid=13201841_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Blues-get-started-in-style-name_page.html 14 August 200324 July 2003Newcastle UnitedNL1–2Devlin 72' (pen)14,600AsiaCup Matches were played as part of the 2003 FA Premier League Asia Cup tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/faplasia03.html FA Premier League Asia Cup 2003 (Kuala Lumpur) Hamdan Saaid Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 31 July 2003 26 January 2021http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/matchreports/content_objectid=13216378_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Bruce-puts-brave-face-on-lost-name_page.html Bruce puts brave face on lost James Nursey Birmingham Post 25 July 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20031219175712/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/matchreports/content_objectid=13216378_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Bruce%2Dputs%2Dbrave%2Dface%2Don%2Dlost-name_page.html 19 December 200326 July 2003Malaysia XINW4–0John (2) 8', 50', Clemence 76', Hughes 82'12,000AsiaCuphttp://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/matchreports/content_objectid=13224495_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Stern-shoots-back-in-style-name_page.html Stern shoots back in style Sunday Mercury Birmingham 27 July 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030820202321/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/matchreports/content_objectid=13224495_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Stern-shoots-back-in-style-name_page.html 20 August 200330 July 2003Port ValeAL0–2http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/matchreports/content_objectid=13238834_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Vale-of-woe-for-Blues-name_page.html Vale of woe for Blues James Nursey Birmingham Post 31 July 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030820195525/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birmingham/matchreports/content_objectid=13238834_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Vale-of-woe-for-Blues-name_page.html 20 August 20032 August 2003BurnleyAD2–2Horsfield 10', Dunn 26'https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A106229650/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=942ffb23 Bruce aims to hit Prem peak Colin Tattum Birmingham Evening Mail 4 August 2003 70 26 January 2021 Gale OneFile: News subscription5 August 2003WalsallAW3–1John 30', Dugarry 50', Carter 80'7,451https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/duga-lights-up-the-night-3160230 Duga lights up the night Coventry Telegraph 6 August 2003 26 January 20219 August 2003Real MallorcaHD0–019,148https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A106464889/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=60222578 Blues cool Real heat Sports Argus Birmingham 9 August 2003 2 26 January 2021 Gale OneFile: News subscription Premier League 2003–04 FA Premier League Season review Having avoided relegation in their first season in the Premier League with seven wins from the last eleven games, Birmingham were expected to struggle.http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/globalsport/2004/05/19/review-of-the-season-50002-14255158/ Review of the season Colin Tattum Birmingham Evening Mail 19 May 2004 8 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120509191836/http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/globalsport/2004/05/19/review-of-the-season-50002-14255158/ 9 May 2012 They were unbeaten in the league at the end of September, and went into November still in fourth place. During a poor spell in the middle of the season Steve Bruce's side fell as low as tenth, though they rallied again and stood one point off fourth place with eight matches to go.http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/2003-2004/results Birmingham City 2003–2004: Results Statto.com 11 July 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20130424120714/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/2003-2004/results 24 April 2013 In contrast to the previous season, just one win from the last eleven games gave Birmingham a tenth-place finish, six points behind city rivals Aston Villa, who had been struggling against relegation at the turn of the year.https://www.11v11.com/teams/birmingham-city/tab/leagueTables/2004/ Birmingham City league performance history: Premier League table at close of 2003–04 season 11v11.com AFS Enterprises 29 April 2021 Select date required via dropdown menu. August–September In Birmingham's first game of the season, they beat Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 at St Andrew's, courtesy of a debut goal by record signing David Dunn, who converted a penalty awarded for Anthony Gardner's foul on Robbie Savage. Tottenham's manager, Glenn Hoddle, said afterwards that Rob Styles should not have been appointed as referee because he had sent off Birmingham's Kenny Cunningham in pre-season and "it's human nature to balance things up." Steve Bruce's side shared what PA Sport's reporter dubbed "a thrilling 0-0" at Southampton the following weekend. Both sides had chances to win the match as James Beattie struck the post and Stern John saw a shot cleared off the line. Birmingham then overcame Newcastle United 1–0 at St James' Park: after Gary Speed brought down Damien Johnson in the penalty area, Dunn's penalty was saved, but he scored from the rebound to give Birmingham a second league win in three games. In the first minute of the match, referee Matt Messias accidentally struck Savage in the face as he signalled a free kick. Their second league win in three games saw Birmingham climb to sixth in the table as they entered September. Birmingham signed Finland international striker Mikael Forssell on a season-long loan from Chelsea before the transfer window shut. He scored twice on debut in a 2–2 draw with Fulham at St Andrew's, equalising just before half-time after Louis Saha gave the visitors an early lead and then again tying the scores after 82 minutes. Both sides finished with ten men: Sylvain Legwinski received a second yellow card for tripping Dunn and Darren Purse was sent off for "aiming a punch at" Luis Boa Morte after he scored Fulham's second goal. At Elland Road, Leeds United had the upper hand until Roque Júnior fouled Forssell and was sent off. Paul Robinson saved Dunn's penalty but the assistant referee saw an infringement. Savage's retake was successful and Forssell made the score 2–0. A 2–0 win at home to Portsmouth on 27 September with goals from Stephen Clemence and Stan Lazaridis gave Birmingham their best ever start to a league season and moved them fourth in the table. October–December Manchester United inflicted Birmingham's first league defeat of the season, winning 3–0 at Old Trafford after goalkeeper Maik Taylor was sent off by Mike Dean for fouling Paul Scholes. A goalless draw was enough to take normally free-scoring Chelsea top of the league and Birmingham fourth. Having lost both Second City derbies in 2002–03, Aston Villa held out for a goalless draw at St Andrew's "in a game high on energy but desperately low on quality". A fine save by Taylor from Bolton Wanderers' Kevin Davies helped Birmingham keep another clean sheet and a well-worked goal by Forssell gave them a fifth win of the season. Faced with criticism of his team's style of play, Bruce was pragmatic: "I wanted to assemble a team that was difficult to beat. If I'd gone down the other route and brought in six flair players we’d have ended up bottom of the League." Having conceded only five league goals in the first three months of the season, Birmingham's defence was unusually fragile against Charlton Athletic. Matt Holland's two goals and Dean Kiely's multiple saves helped them become the first team for nine months to win at St Andrew's. Christophe Dugarry's powerfully headed goal was his first of the season and the last of his Birmingham career. Forssell scored just after half-time in a 1–1 draw at home to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, before Birmingham lost 3–0 at home to Arsenal. They had the better of the first half against Liverpool at Anfield, but two spectacular second-half goals gave the hosts a 3–1 victory that left Birmingham in eighth place. Four goals in the last half hour gave Blackburn Rovers an emphatic win at Birmingham. Dugarry, who had earlier missed from a yard out and whose foul in the build-up caused Forssell's goal to be disallowed, was sent off on 72 minutes after receiving two yellow cards. He was later charged with misconduct by the Football Association over an incident missed by the referee in which Craig Short's nose was broken, and banned for three matches.https://www.irishtimes.com/news/birmingham-s-dugarry-banned-for-three-games-1.966997 Birmingham's Dugarry banned for three games The Irish Times 14 January 2004 3 May 2022 live limited https://web.archive.org/web/20220503134833/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/birmingham-s-dugarry-banned-for-three-games-1.966997 3 May 2022 In Dugarry's absence with a knee injury, Clinton Morrison made his first league start for eight months and scored the opening goal in a match in which two opponents were sent off: Leicester City's captain, Matt Elliott, for an arm in Dunn's face in the first half and their goalkeeper, Ian Walker, after an hour for handling the ball a long way outside his penalty area. Forssell's header completed a 2–0 win, and Maik Taylor ended the match with a black eye and three stitches. Manchester City took an early lead at St Andrew's on Boxing Day, and despite pressure from Birmingham it took two fortunate goals in the last ten minutesJeff Kenna headed home the rebound after Savage's free kick struck the goalpost, and Richard Dunne's attempted clearance bounced in off Forssellto secure the three points. Against Everton at Goodison Park, when Taylor was "jostled" by both Duncan Ferguson and Alan Stubbs, no foul was given, and Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the match; the defeat left Birmingham ninth in the table. January–February With a defence disrupted by injurymidfielder Darren Carter, making his first start of the season, was one of three players used at left back in the first 40 minutesBirmingham conceded three times to Tottenham Hotspur in the first half. Savage's penalty reduced the deficit, but Morrison missed a chance when through on goal, and the match ended 4–1. A goal apiece after 16 minutes, Antti Niemi's goalkeeping kept Southampton in the game, but Kenna scored the winner after an exchange of passes with Morrison; it was his second goal in two weeks and third in 8 1 2 years. Moments later, Kenna was having his head stitched after a challenge for which David Prutton was sent off. At Stamford Bridge, PA Sport's reporter highlighted Birmingham's incredible tenacity, Savage and Clemence "excelling in central midfield as they outplayed, let alone outfought, their far more illustrious opponents" to record another goalless draw with Chelsea, helped by Olivier Tebily's acrobatic clearance off the line after a rare error by Maik Taylor. After Newcastle United took a first-half lead at St Andrew's, Birmingham dominated without success. They were awarded a free kick in the second minute of stoppage time, which was moved forward 10 yards after a Newcastle player kicked the ball away. Cunningham took the free kick, and Stern John slid in to score. Taylor made several fine saves, including a "superlative double reflex save from first Macken and then Sibierski", in a goalless draw with Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. Johnson had and missed a late chance to win the match for Birmingham, which even Bruce thought would have been a injustice. Three days later Birmingham comfortably beat Everton with goals by Johnson, Forssell and Stan Lazaridis: "after collecting a pass from Savage in his own half, the Australian embarked on a speedy, purposeful and unchecked 40 yard on run before unleashing a fierce cross-shot into the roof of the net" that earned him the club's Goal of the Season award.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A116328484/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=9a1a9d9d Mikael is the fans' choice Birmingham Evening Mail 87 6 May 2004 1 May 2021 Gale OneFile: News subscription Birmingham came back from 2–0 down at Villa Park to draw the Second City derby; the equaliser came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Morrison's shot was parried and Stern John "thrashed the loose ball into the roof of the net". It was Christophe Dugarry's final appearance before his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3500938.stm Dugarry quits Birmingham BBC Sport 11 March 2004 1 May 2021 March–May Home wins against Middlesbrough, League Cup winners just three days before, in which recent signing Martin Taylor scored his first goal when Forssell's shot struck his shoulder, and League Cup losers Bolton Wanderers, in which Bryan Hughes's first goal of the season and Forssell's fourth in four games took Birmingham fifth in the table. Leicester City prepared for their visit to Birmingham with a "bonding" break in Spain during which nine players were arrested, three of whom were jailed; thanks to Les Ferdinand's goal and their hosts' poor finishing, they put an end to Birmingham's eight-match unbeaten run. The away match with Middlesbrough, played in a howling gale, was described by the Independent as "an eight-goal thriller in which a keeper (Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer) was the star and managed to keep the scoring within reasonable bounds" and by the Guardian as "a snatch of comic relief, a red-face day out of the blue"; Birmingham lost 5–3, and the last goal was scored by Szilard Nemeth after Matthew Upson tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper but could not reach it until he was almost flat on the floor. Birmingham conceded early at home to Leeds United but had a 3–1 lead when a penalty was awarded. Although Forssell was the designated penalty-taker, Hughes had two goals already and wanted to complete his hat-trick; Bruce intervened in favour of Forssell, who duly scored his 18th goal of the season. Two weeks after Maik Taylor's loan from Fulham was made permanent,https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/taylor-secures-permanent-deal-at-birmingham-567324.html Taylor secures permanent deal at Birmingham John Curtis The Independent London 23 March 2004 2 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210503152226/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/taylor-secures-permanent-deal-at-birmingham-567324.html 3 May 2021 registration live his goalkeeping was instrumental in Birmingham's goalless draw with his former club; the result left them in sixth place. Martin Grainger, who had replaced the injured Lazaridis after 14 minutes, opened the scoring against Manchester United after 39 with a free kick. He was himself substituted at half-time because of a patellar tendon torn before he took the free kick, and he never played again. Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha gave United a 2–1 win. Just before half-time at Portsmouth, Yakubu Aiyegbeni gave the hosts the lead. Referee Barry Knight disallowed the goal, sent off Maik Taylor for handling the ball outside his area, and awarded a free kick, from which Dejan Stefanović scored. Portsmouth doubled their lead, and then Stern John made the score 2–1. Knight then awarded a penalty, converted by Yakubu, and disallowed John's second for offsideharshly, according to BBC Sport. Morrison gave Birmingham the lead at Charlton, who promptly equalised; Hughes miskicked in front of an open goal in stoppage time. Away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Forssell scored his 19th and last goal of the season and played a through ball from which Morrison gave Birmingham a 2–1 lead, but Taylor parried the ball to Carl Cort's feet for the equaliser. Without Maik Taylor and Forssell, Birmingham secured a goalless draw away to a strong Arsenal side already confirmed as league champions. Had Morrison not failed to control Lazaridis' second-half cross, their unbeaten record might well have been broken. In their last home game of the season, Birmingham lost 3–0 to Liverpool; Emile Heskey, who made the assist for Michael Owen's goal and scored the second, signed for Birmingham ten days later. With Cunningham suspended, Savage captained the team for the visit to Blackburn Rovers; Stern John's late equaliser secured a 1–1 draw away and a tenth-place finish, six points short of European qualification. Match details + Premier League match detailshttps://www.11v11.com/teams/birmingham-city/tab/matches/season/2004/ Birmingham City football club match record: 2004 11v11.com AFS Enterprises 2 May 2021DateLeaguepositionOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRef(s)16 August 20036thTottenham HotspurHW1–0Dunn 36' pen.29,358https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0501625453/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=e2b23761 Savage back in the old routine Rick Broadbent The Times 18 August 2003 S1 p. 14 29 April 2021 subscription23 August 20036thSouthamptonAD0–031,656http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/birmingham/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/03/08/23/SOCCER_Southampton.html&TEAMHD=birmingham&DIV=nat1&TEAM=BIRMINGHAM--CITY&RH=Birmingham--City&PREV_SEASON=2002&BID= Southampton 0 Birmingham 0 Alistair Grant PA Sport Sporting Life 23 August 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20111214183339/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/birmingham/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F03%2F08%2F23%2FSOCCER_Southampton.html&TEAMHD=birmingham&DIV=nat1&TEAM=BIRMINGHAM--CITY&RH=Birmingham--City&PREV_SEASON=2002&BID= 14 December 2011 4 August 202130 August 20036thNewcastle UnitedAW1–0Dunn 61'52,006https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dunn-s-roamings-cap-the-week-of-misery-for-robson-102597.html Dunn's roamings cap the week of misery for Robson Scott Barnes The Independent London 31 August 2003 3 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20210429183236/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dunn-s-roamings-cap-the-week-of-misery-for-robson-102597.html 29 April 2021 registration live14 September 20038thFulhamHD2–2Forssell (2) 45', 82'27,250https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3194217.stm Forssell double foils Fulham BBC Sport 14 September 2003 29 April 202120 September 20037thLeeds UnitedAW2–0Savage 79' pen., Forssell 84'34,305https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/21/match.sport8 Meek Leeds are lambs to the slaughter after Savage penalty John Wilford The Observer London 21 September 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210429181850/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/21/match.sport8 29 April 202127 September 20034thPortsmouthHW2–0Clemence 21', Lazaridis 50'29,057https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2422228/Premiership-round-up.html Premiership round-up The Telegraph 27 September 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210429181849/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2422228/Premiership-round-up.html 29 April 20214 October 20035thManchester UnitedAL0–367,633https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/oct/06/match.sport8 Scholes is a dimension too many for Birmingham Russell Thomas The Guardian London 6 October 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210430182538/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/oct/06/match.sport8 30 April 202114 October 20034thChelseaHD0–029,460https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0502517019/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=b1a543ce Draw helps Chelsea to get taste for the high life Bill Edgar The Times London 15 October 2003 42 29 April 2021 subscription19 October 20034thAston VillaHD0–029,546https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3191434.stm Villa earn derby draw BBC Sport 19 October 2003 29 April 202125 October 20034thBolton WanderersAW1–0Forssell 31'25,023https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A109310629/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=a4e64534 Forssell ends Bolton's run Patrick Maxwell Sunday Times London 26 October 2003 5 29 April 2021 Gale OneFile: News subscription3 November 20034thCharlton AthleticHL1–2Dugarry 64'27,225https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3207285.stm Charlton stun Birmingham BBC Sport 3 November 2003 29 April 20219047 2003 Christophe Dugarry 29 April 20218 November 20035thWolverhampton WanderersAD1–1Forssell 49'28,831https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3233005.stm Iversen seals Wolves point BBC Sport 8 November 2003 15 May 202122 November 20035thArsenalHL0–329,588https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3273199.stm Arsenal stay top BBC Sport 22 November 2003 29 April 2021https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3713537.stm Arsenal the Invincibles Ian Hughes BBC Sport 15 May 2004 29 April 202130 November 20038thLiverpoolAL1–3Forssell 33'42,683https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/reds-make-bruce-blue-25916749.html Reds make Bruce blue David Miller Irish Independent 1 December 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210501150818/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/reds-make-bruce-blue-25916749.html 1 May 2021https://www.irishtimes.com/news/liverpool-not-throwing-in-the-towel-yet-1.963166 Liverpool not throwing in the towel yet The Irish Times 30 November 2003 3 May 2022 live limited https://web.archive.org/web/20220503134219/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/liverpool-not-throwing-in-the-towel-yet-1.963166 3 May 20226 December 20038thBlackburn RoversHL0–429,354https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/08/match.sport4 Blues may flourish by elbowing out Dugarry Adrian Milledge The Guardian London 8 December 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210502092905/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/08/match.sport4 2 May 2021https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2282862/birmingham-0-blackburn-4 Birmingham 0 Blackburn 4 Alex Livie Sky Sports 8 December 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210430143848/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2282862/birmingham-0-blackburn-4 30 April 202113 December 20038thLeicester CityAW2–0Morrison 42', Forssell 66'30,639https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/14/match.leicestercity Blues rise above red mist Stuart Barnes The Observer London 14 December 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210503004631/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/14/match.leicestercity 3 May 202126 December 20038thManchester CityHW2–1Kenna 81', Forssell 87'29,520https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/2284712/birmingham-2-manchester-city-1 Birmingham 2 Manchester City 1 Andy Clarke Sky Sports 26 December 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210430143845/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/2284712/birmingham-2-manchester-city-1 30 April 202128 December 20039thEvertonAL0–139,631https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-10121238.html Bruce fury over clincher by Rooney Paul Walker Irish Examiner 29 December 2003 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210515204409/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-10121238.html 15 May 20217 January 200410thTottenham HotspurAL1–4Savage 68' pen.30,016https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dalmat-double-inspires-spurs-72587.html Dalmat double inspires Spurs Jason Burt The Independent London 8 January 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210501165936/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dalmat-double-inspires-spurs-72587.html 1 May 2021 registration10 January 20048thSouthamptonHW2–1Clemence 16', Kenna 67'29,071https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/lowe-hints-at-early-change-as-kenna-speeds-saints-slide-73073.html Lowe hints at early change as Kenna speeds Saints' slide Jon Culley The Independent London 11 January 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210502004511/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/lowe-hints-at-early-change-as-kenna-speeds-saints-slide-73073.html 2 May 2021 registrationhttps://www.irishtimes.com/sport/kenna-strikes-1.1129711 Kenna strikes The Irish Times 12 January 2004 3 May 2022 live limited https://web.archive.org/web/20220503140318/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/kenna-strikes-1.1129711 3 May 202218 January 20049thChelseaAD0–041,073http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/birmingham/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/04/01/18/SOCCER_Chelsea.html&TEAMHD=birmingham&DIV=nat1&TEAM=BIRMINGHAM--CITY&RH=Birmingham--City&PREV_SEASON=2002&BID= Chelsea 0 Birmingham City 0 Mark Bradley PA Sport Sporting Life 11 January 2004 30 April 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20111214183237/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/birmingham/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer%2F04%2F01%2F18%2FSOCCER_Chelsea.html&TEAMHD=birmingham&DIV=nat1&TEAM=BIRMINGHAM--CITY&RH=Birmingham--City&PREV_SEASON=2002&BID= 14 December 201131 January 20049thNewcastle UnitedHD1–1John 90'29,513https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/feb/01/match.sport3 John strike riles Robson Ed Jones The Observer London 11 January 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210502165500/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/feb/01/match.sport3 2 May 2021https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2361805/FIFA-scrap-10-yard-rule.html FIFA scrap 10-yard rule The Telegraph London 11 January 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210501214439/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2361805/FIFA-scrap-10-yard-rule.html 1 May 20218 February 200410thManchester CityAD0–046,967https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/feb/09/match.sport12 City bounce back into old routine Louise Taylor The Guardian London 9 February 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210501154323/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/feb/09/match.sport12 1 May 202111 February 20049thEvertonHW3–0Johnson 8', Lazaridis 39', Forssell 49'29,004https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/city-s-quest-for-europe-a-reality-1.1304771 City's quest for Europe a reality Adrian Milledge The Irish Times 12 February 2004 3 May 2022 live limited https://web.archive.org/web/20220503141215/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/city-s-quest-for-europe-a-reality-1.1304771 3 May 202222 February 20048thAston VillaAD2–2Forssell 60', John 90'40,061https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/john-s-late-equaliser-punishes-wasteful-villa-70549.html John's late equaliser punishes wasteful Villa Jon Culley The Independent London 23 February 2004 3 May 2022 live registration https://web.archive.org/web/20210501111623/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/john-s-late-equaliser-punishes-wasteful-villa-70549.html 1 May 20213 March 20047thMiddlesbroughHW3–1Martin Taylor 23', Savage 57', Forssell 79'29,369https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2374213/Birmingham-bring-Boro-back-to-earth.html Birmingham bring Boro back to earth John Ley The Daily Telegraph London 4 March 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210503073618/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2374213/Birmingham-bring-Boro-back-to-earth.html 3 May 20216 March 20045thBolton WanderersHW2–0Forssell 24', Hughes 69'28,003https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/forssell-and-hughes-prolong-bolton-s-hangover-63233.html Forssell and Hughes prolong Bolton's hangover Ronald Atkin The Independent London 7 March 2004 3 May 2022 live registration https://web.archive.org/web/20210502141659/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/forssell-and-hughes-prolong-bolton-s-hangover-63233.html 2 May 202113 March 20046thLeicester CityHL0–129,491https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferdinand-brings-a-smile-to-adams-face-64260.html Ferdinand brings a smile to Adams' face Nick Townsend The Independent London 14 March 2004 3 May 2022 live registration https://web.archive.org/web/20210503231954/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferdinand-brings-a-smile-to-adams-face-64260.html 3 May 202120 March 20047thMiddlesbroughAL3–5Forssell (2) 23', 59', Morrison 45'30,244https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/schwarzer-stands-firm-in-goal-storm-65314.html Schwarzer stands firm in goal storm Scott Barnes The Independent London 21 March 2004 3 May 2022 live registration https://web.archive.org/web/20210505140526/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/schwarzer-stands-firm-in-goal-storm-65314.html 5 May 2021https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/22/match.sport2 Upson the fall guy in a comedy of errors Jeremy Alexander The Guardian London 22 March 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210503080300/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/22/match.sport2 3 May 202127 March 20046thLeeds UnitedHW4–1Hughes (2) 12', 67, Forssell (2) 69', 82' pen.29,069https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/28/match.sport4 Forssell applies gloss finish Duncan Mackay The Observer London 28 March 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210505032726/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/28/match.sport4 5 May 20213 April 20046thFulhamAD0–014,667https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30141233.html Goalless finish at Loftus Road Irish Examiner 4 April 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210502193554/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30141233.html 2 May 202110 April 20046thManchester UnitedHL1–2Grainger 53'29,548https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3574333.stm Birmingham 1–2 Man Utd BBC Sport 10 April 2004 2 May 2021http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10412~596546,00.html Grainger's bitter-sweet sign-off Birmingham City F.C. 2 December 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20041210233012/http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10412~596546,00.html 10 December 200412 April 20048thPortsmouthAL1–3John 67'20,104https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3592843.stm Portsmouth 3–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 12 April 2004 2 May 202117 April 20048thCharlton AthleticAD1–1Morrison 84'25,206https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3615827.stm Charlton 1–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 17 April 2004 2 May 202125 April 20049thWolverhampton WanderersHD2–2Forssell 34', Morrison 41'29,494https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3628571.stm Birmingham 2–2 Wolves BBC Sport 25 April 2004 2 May 20211 May 20049thArsenalAD0–038,061https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A116161411/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=cd9e76a3 Arsenal fail to crack dogged Birmingham David Walsh The Sunday Times London 2 May 2004 2 3 May 2021 Gale OneFile: News subscription8 May 200410thLiverpoolHL0–329,553https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2298675/birmingham-0-liverpool-3 Birmingham 0 Liverpool 3 Patrick Goss Sky Sports 8 May 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210506023446/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2298675/birmingham-0-liverpool-3 6 May 2021https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/3720031.stm Birmingham sign Heskey BBC Sport 18 May 2004 2 May 202115 May 200410thBlackburn RoversAD1–1John 83'26,070https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3696209.stm Blackburn 1–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 15 May 2004 2 May 2021https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng04.html England 2003/04 Ian King Matthew Perry Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 15 February 2006 2 May 2021 League table 2003–04 FA Premier League#League table BIR Results summary 8 5 6 26 24 4 9 6 17 24 March 2012 FA Cup 2003–04 FA Cup Birmingham reached the fifth round of the 2003–04 FA Cup before losing to Sunderland of Division One after a replay. + FA Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceThird round3 January 2004Blackburn RoversHW4–0Morrison 23', Clemence 36', Forssell 78', Hughes 84'18,688Fourth round24 January 2004WimbledonHW1–0Hughes 4'22,159Fifth round14 February 2004SunderlandAD1–1Forssell 28'24,966Fifth round replay25 February 2004SunderlandHL0–225,645 League Cup 2003–04 Football League Cup Birmingham entered the 2003–04 League Cup at the second round. They conceded after six minutes away to Blackpool of the Second Division, and when given a chance from the penalty spot, Clemence's kick cleared the bar.https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A108076303/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=470457b1 Wasteful Blues pay penalty James Nursey Birmingham Post 24 September 2003 28 29 April 2021 Gale OneFile: News subscription + League Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceSecond round23 September 2003BlackpoolAL0–17,370 Transfers In DatePlayerClubFeeRef 1 July 2003 Christophe Dugarry Bordeaux Freehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3013195.stm Dugarry signs new deal BBC Sport 11 May 2003 17 September 2011 7 July 2003 David Dunn Blackburn Rovers £5.5mhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3037362.stm Dunn signs for Blues BBC Sport 7 July 2003 17 September 2011 23 July 2003 Luciano Figueroa Rosario Central £2.5mhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3089147.stm Figueroa joins Blues BBC Sport 23 July 2003 17 September 2011 2 February 2004 Martin Taylor Blackburn Rovers £1.25mhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3409389.stm Taylor seals Blues switch BBC Sport 2 February 2004 17 September 2011 Out DatePlayerFeeJoinedRef 8 July 2003 Tommy Mooney Free Swindon Townhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3054432.stm Swindon sign Mooney BBC Sport 8 July 2003 17 September 2011 8 August 2003 Joey Hutchinson Free Darlingtonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3116861.stm Transfers – August 2003 BBC Sport 5 September 2003 21 June 2013 14 August 2003 Michael Johnson Nominal Derby County 5 September 2003 Geoff Horsfield £500,000 Wigan Athletichttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3084572.stm Transfers – September 2003 BBC Sport 23 September 2003 21 June 2013 12 September 2003 Paul Devlin £150,000 Watford 23 December 2003 Luciano Figueroa Contract cancelled (Cruz Azul)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3344775.stm Figueroa leaves Birmingham BBC Sport 23 December 2003 17 September 2011 2 February 2004 Jovan Kirovski Released (Los Angeles Galaxy)https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/019a-0f8ede7e14a0-22174c609b77-1000--taylor-bound-for-birmingham/ Taylor bound for Birmingham UEFA 2 February 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220313165912/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/national-associations/news/019a-0f8ede7e14a0-22174c609b77-1000--taylor-bound-for-birmingham/ 13 March 2022 11 March 2004 Christophe Dugarry Released (Qatar SC)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3500938.stm Dugarry quits Birmingham BBC Sport 11 March 2004 17 September 2011 12 March 2004 Jeff Kenna Free Derby Countyhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3499148.stm Kenna makes move to Derby BBC Sport 12 March 2004 17 September 2011 25 March 2004 Craig Fagan Free Colchester United33429 2003 Craig Fagan 21 June 2013 30 March 2004 Tom Williams Released Peterborough Unitedhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/3581803.stm Posh capture Williams BBC Sport 30 March 2004 21 June 2013 18 June 2004 Darren Purse £750,000 West Bromwich Albionhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3797713.stm Baggies snatch Purse BBC Sport 18 June 2004 17 September 2011 30 June 2004 Bryan Hughes Released (Charlton Athletic)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3857623.stm Hughes moves to Charlton BBC Sport 1 July 2004 17 September 2011 Brackets round club names denote the player joined that club after his Birmingham City contract expired. Loan in DatePlayerClubReturnRef 8 August 2003 Maik Taylor Fulham End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3126051.stm Blues finally land Taylor BBC Sport 8 August 2003 17 September 2011 28 August 2003 Mikael Forssell Chelsea End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3253163.stm Forssell extends loan BBC Sport 26 November 2003 17 September 2011 Loan out DatePlayerClubReturnRef 1 August 2003 Craig Fagan Colchester United 25 March 2004 10 October 2003 Andrew Barrowman Crewe Alexandra One month36589 2003 Andrew Barrowman 21 June 2013 21 November 2003 Mat Sadler Northampton Town Two months33431 2003 Matt Sadler 21 June 2013 24 December 2003 Nico Vaesen Gillingham One month14674 2003 Nico Vaesen 21 June 2013 1 January 2004 Tom Williams Peterborough United Three monthshttps://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/2287202/Carter-outlines-desire Carter outlines desire Steve Luckings Sky Sports 1 January 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160306093000/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/2287202/Carter-outlines-desire 6 March 2016 12 February 2004 Martin Grainger Coventry City 18 March 2004https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/3482685.stm Coventry swoop for Grainger BBC Sport 12 February 2004 21 June 2013http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=294549&cc=5739 Injury-hit Blues recall Grainger ESPN FC 18 March 2004 21 June 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071117/http://www.espnfc.com/story/294549 4 March 2016 13 February 2004 Nico Vaesen Bradford City One monthhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3481521.stm Bantams bag Vaesen BBC Sport 12 February 2004 4 November 2013 18 March 2004 Nico Vaesen Crystal Palace End of seasonhttps://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/2293919/Vaesen-takes-Palace-loan Vaesen takes Palace loan Simon Fudge Sky Sports 18 March 2004 3 May 2022 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160305162921/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/2293919/Vaesen-takes-Palace-loan 5 March 2016 Appearances and goals Numbers in parentheses denote appearances made as a substitute. Players marked left the club during the playing season. Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Birmingham. Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad but only as unused substitutes. Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward + Players' appearances and goals by competitionNo. Squad numberPos. Playing positionNat. NationalityNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDisciplineApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoals13px|Booked|alt=A yellow rectangle, denoting the yellow penalty card shown to a player being cautioned13px|Sent off|alt=A red rectangle, denoting the red penalty card shown to a player being sent off1GKENG Ian Bennett4 (2)000004 (2)0002DFIRE Jeff Kenna 14 (3)2400018 (3)2103DFENG Martin Grainger3 (1)100003 (1)1004DFIRE Kenny Cunningham3604010410315DFENG Darren Purse903000120116MFSEN Aliou Cissé5 (10)00 (1)0106 (11)0617MFSCO Paul Devlin 0 (2)000000 (2)0908MFWAL Robbie Savage31340003431209FWENG Geoff Horsfield 2 (1)000002 (1)0009FWFIN Mikael Forssell *32173 (1)20 (1)035 (2)191010MFENG Bryan Hughes17 (9)33 (1)20020 (10)50011MFAUS Stan Lazaridis25 (5)2201028 (5)20012GKNIR Maik Taylor *34040103902213GKIRE Colin Doyle000000000014FWTRI Stern JohnSoccerbase omits four substitute appearances in the Premier League by Stern John.7 (22)41 (1)0109 (23)40015FWUSA Jovan Kirovski 0 (6)00 (1)00 (1)00 (8)00015DFENG Martin Taylor11 (1)1000011 (1)10016MFENG David Dunn20 (1)2301024 (1)22018GKBEL Nico Vaesen000000000019FWIRE Clinton Morrison19 (13)4411024 (13)51021FWFRA Christophe Dugarry 12 (2)10 (1)00012 (3)16122MFNIR Damien JohnsonSoccerbase counts four of Damien Johnson's Premier League starts as substitute appearances.35140104017023DFENG Jamie Clapham22 (3)00 (1)01023 (4)00024MFENG Darren Carter1 (4)00 (3)0001 (7)00025DFENG Matthew Upson30020103302026DFCIV Olivier Tébily17 (10)0200019 (10)04027FWSCO Andrew Barrowman0 (1)000000 (1)00028MFENG Carl Motteram000000000032MFENG Stephen Clemence32 (3)21 (1)11034 (4)34035FWARG Luciano Figueroa 0 (1)0000 (1)00 (2)000 + Players not included in matchday squadsNo. Squad numberPos. Playing positionNat. NationalityName20MFENG Tom Williams 27DFENG Joey Hutchinson 29DFENG Craig Fagan 30DFENG Mat Sadler34MFENG Neil Kilkenny Sources Matthews Tony Birmingham City: A Complete Record 1995 Breedon Books Derby 978-1-85983-010-9 Matthews Tony Birmingham City: The Complete Record 2010 DB Publishing Derby 978-1-85983-853-2 References External links Match reports from the Birmingham City F.C. website Match reports from the Sporting Life website Category:Birmingham City F.C. seasons Birmingham City