2003–04 Luton Town F.C. season

English football club season December 2017 February 2015 Luton Town 2003–04 2002–03 2004–05 Mike Newell John Gurney (until 14 July 2003)In administrative receivership between 14 July 2003 – 12 May 2004Bill Tomlins (from 12 May 2004) Football League Second Division Tenth FA Cup Fourth round Football League Cup Second round Football League Trophy Southern Section Quarter-Final Steve Howard (15) Steve Howard (16) 8,767 vs Tranmere Rovers (FA Cup Fourth Round, 24 January 2004) 3,667 vs Thurrock (FA Cup First Round replay, 18 November 2003) 6,253 _orange_border _gremio11g2 _orange_border FFFFFF FFFFFF white _white stripes 000000 _3_stripes_white 000000 _whiteborder _vneckwhite _whiteborder FD4222 FD4222 FD4222 _orangesides tapered 0000FF _3_stripes_white 0000FF The 2003–04 season was the 118th season in the history of Luton Town Football Club, and club's 83rd consecutive year in the Football League. Luton finished in tenth place, a surprising success considering the financial issues that afflicted the club. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~512645,00.html Thank You Luton Town F.C. 8 May 2004 14 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910232304/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~512645,00.html 10 September 2012 dead dmy-all Despite being placed in administrative receivership for the majority of the season following a turbulent change of ownership and having a rigorous transfer embargo imposed as a result, signing players only with the Football League's special dispensation, the club accrued more points than in the previous campaign. The lack of spending power meant that numerous youth team players were promoted to the first-team squad, such as Kevin Foley, Curtis Davies, Keith Keane, and Leon Barnett; as well as players with no previous professional football experience, like Enoch Showunmi. These players would go on to form a crucial part of the Luton side in later years. This article covers the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004. Background History of Luton Town F.C. (1970–present) List of Luton Town F.C. seasons The previous season had seen consolidation for Luton after their drop into the basement division of English league football in 2001, with the club finishing the 2002–03 season in ninth place. Stability did not last for long, however, as the end of the season saw controversy erupt after an unidentified consortium gained control of the club, later revealed to be headed by businessman John Gurney. http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2004/10/26/trouble_at_the_top_feature.shtml Trouble at the Top: Luton Kicks Off BBC Three Counties 29 October 2004 8 August 2010 Gurney's first act was the sacking of successful managerial duo Joe Kinnear and Mick Harford, subsequently followed by a phone-poll to determine the next manager. Former Luton player and Hartlepool United manager Mike Newell was announced as the winner on 23 June 2003, though it is widely believed Hang on a minute – Joe... WHO? http://twohundredpercent.net/?p=1080 Two Hundred Percent 27 September 2008 21 August 2013 28 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130928000504/http://twohundredpercent.net/?p=1080 dead that Kinnear accumulated the most votes, only to reject a return to the club as he refused to work with Gurney. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/3013334.stm Newell wins Luton election BBC Sport 23 June 2003 8 August 2010 In terms of playing staff, the end of the last season had seen six released; goalkeepers Carl Emberson and Mark Ovendale, defenders Duncan Jupp, Alan Kimble and Aaron Skelton, and striker Carl Griffiths. No replacements had been brought in, leaving Luton with a compact squad, albeit with a number of talented young players. Review July With the fallout surrounding the takeover still occurring, including the fact that players and staff had not been paid for two months, managing director John Gurney was summoned by the Football League to explain the situation. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~394998,00.html We're trying to forget about wages, says Nico Luton Town F.C. 1 July 2003 23 May 2012 Striker Tony Thorpe voiced his thoughts on the matter, stating that the supporters needed to get behind the players and turn out for the first game of the season, responding to the fact that thousands of fans were deliberately not buying season tickets in an attempt to force the new owners out of the club. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~396927,00.html We need fans, says Thorpey Luton Town F.C. 8 July 2003 23 May 2012 Defender Chris Coyne expressed a different view, praising the supporters for standing up for themselves and the club even though it meant he was not being paid. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~398172,00.html Chris Coyne backs the fans Luton Town F.C. 11 July 2003 23 May 2012 On 11 July, the Football League met with Gurney and expressed "grave concern that the new owners... have been unable to satisfy [The League] of the club's financial stability going forward." As a result, Luton were placed under a transfer embargo and all payments due to the club from the authorities, such as sponsorship money and television rights, were to be withheld. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~398114,00.html Statement re Luton Town Football Club Luton Town F.C. 11 July 2003 23 May 2012 In the weeks before this, Luton's supporters' trust, Trust in Luton, had devised a strategy to acquire shares in the club's major creditor, Hatters Holdings. Hatters Holdings, now majority-owned by Trust in Luton, deliberately placed the club into administrative receivership on 14 July to successfully force out John Gurney after a turbulent 55 days in charge. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/3064171.stm Gurney loses control of Luton BBC Sport 14 July 2003 23 May 2012 As a result, supporters began buying tickets again and the club hastily arranged friendly matches against Fulham, Hitchin Town and an Arsenal XI before the season began on 9 August. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~398961,00.html Our darkest hours Luton Town F.C. 15 July 2003 23 May 2012 Despite ridding the club of Gurney, the club remained financially insecure and still had a transfer embargo in place, meaning Luton could only sign players on free transfers or on loan and, even then, only with dispensation from the authorities. August and September After being sacked alongside Joe Kinnear eight weeks earlier, Mick Harford returned to Luton on 6 August as Director of Football. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~407392,00.html Luton unveil new management structure Luton Town F.C. 6 August 2003 23 May 2012 Harford and manager Mike Newell had previously played together at Luton in 1986 and 1987, during the club's most successful period in the top division of English football. A day before the season began, Luton were granted special dispensation from the Football League to sign a goalkeeper and an outfield player on loan. While the club elected to use youth team goalkeepers Rob Beckwith and Dean Brill, they did sign Portsmouth winger Courtney Pitt on a one-month loan. Pitt played in the opening game against Rushden & Diamonds as Luton won 3–1, Tony Thorpe scoring twice. A 2–1 victory in the next league game over Stockport County left Luton as early leaders of the Second Division. On 22 August, Tony Thorpe joined Luton's rivals Queens Park Rangers for a £50,000 fee. It proved to be a transfer that angered many Luton supporters due to a combination of Thorpe's comments earlier in the season urging fans to get behind the team, QPR's status as Luton's rivals, and the fact that the club received such a small fee for a player perceived to be worth much more. http://www.qprnet.com/index.php/int-players/113-interview-thorpe The Tony Thorpe Interview QPRnet.com 10 July 2007 23 May 2012 https://archive.today/20130131223027/http://www.qprnet.com/index.php/int-players/113-interview-thorpe 31 January 2013 dead dmy-all The same day, as a result of funds being freed up by Thorpe's move, Luton signed young Coventry City striker Gary McSheffrey on a one-month loan. The next three games saw two losses and a win. On 6 September, the club signed 21-year-old striker Enoch Showunmi on non-contract terms following special dispensation to sign an outfield player after captain Kevin Nicholls was injured for three months. Showunmi, who had no professional football experience and had previously played only for eleventh-tier club Willesden Constantine, had been on trial with Luton since August. Only one further win followed in September, leaving the club in fourteenth place in the table. Both McSheffrey and Pitt signed one-month extensions to their loans in late September, and the club allowed striker Dean Crowe, who had been injured for much of the past year, to join Third Division club York City on loan for a month. Luton progressed to the second round of the League Cup, where they faced Premier League club Charlton Athletic. After a 4–4 draw at extra-time, earning praise from Charlton manager Alan Curbishley, Luton lost 8–7 on penalties. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~429103,00.html Curbishley post-match reaction Luton Town F.C. 23 September 2012 24 May 2012 October and November Goalkeeper Rob Beckwith was suspended after being sent off in a 3–0 defeat to Oldham Athletic, meaning Luton had only one goalkeeper in the form of 18-year-old Dean Brill for an upcoming match with Wycombe Wanderers. They signed former player Nathan Abbey on non-contract terms on 10 October from Stevenage Borough to cover Brill's position. The club endured a mixed month in the league during October, recording two wins, two draws and two losses, including a 6–3 defeat to AFC Bournemouth, as well as progressing to the second round of the Football League Trophy. An injury to regular striker Steve Howard pushed Adrian Forbes into a first-team role, where he excelled with six goals in six games, winning the award for October's top scorer in the division. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~447908,00.html Forbes scoops goalscoring award Luton Town F.C. 6 November 2003 24 May 2012 In terms of transfers, Luton extended Gary McSheffrey's loan for a further month after he had scored eight goals in thirteen games and Nathan Abbey left after two weeks, the club signing experienced goalkeeper Marlon Beresford from Bradford City as a replacement on a three-month contract. Beresford joining meant that a player had to leave to satisfy the transfer embargo, and Courtney Pitt subsequently returned to Portsmouth after two months on loan. November saw the team go unbeaten in the league, with wins also in the Football League Trophy and FA Cup. Adrian Forbes continued his goalscoring form, hitting four goals in six games as Luton moved to tenth in the table, one point from the play-off places. The successful run of form coincided with welcome news for the club off the pitch, with confirmation from the Companies Court on 21 November that the administrators now had the power to sell the club to an appropriate bidder, safeguarding the future of Luton Town. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~454298,00.html Further statement Luton Town F.C. 21 November 2003 24 May 2012 On 28 November, a bid from a company called Bill Tomlins Sport Management was received, with the administrators intending to meet with representatives in early December to progress the sale. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~456626,00.html Club statement Luton Town F.C. 28 November 2003 24 May 2012 December and January The team's good form continued into December, with two wins, a draw and one loss in the league leaving them in seventh place. Southend United knocked the club out of the Football League Trophy early in the month, but Luton did progress to the third round of the FA Cup with a 2–0 win over Rochdale. Gary McSheffrey left the club on 3 December with Luton unable to extend his loan further than the 93-day maximum. January began with Luton beating Bradford City 2–1 in the FA Cup, ensuring the club reached the fourth round of the competition for the first time since the 1994–95 season. Two consecutive 2–2 draws left the club in ninth place in the league, but a 1–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers in front of Kenilworth Road's biggest crowd of the season on 24 January knocked Luton out of the FA Cup. Marlon Beresford left Luton on 26 January at the expiration of his contract, signing for divisional rivals Barnsley. Three days later, Luton signed a replacement in the form of Danish goalkeeper Morten Hyldgaard on a free transfer from Scottish Premier League side Hibernian until the end of the season. February, March and April Luton had a strong February in the league, picking up 13 out of a possible 18 points and moving into a play-off position. This set of results saw manager Mike Newell win the Manager of the Month award and striker Enoch Showunmi rewarded as Player of the Month. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~494203,00.html Newell claims divisional award Luton Town F.C. 1 March 2004 24 May 2012 http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~495926,00.html Showunmi swoops for second award Luton Town F.C. 4 March 2004 24 May 2012 Earlier in the month, following a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Brentford, Showunmi had signed a two-and-a-half-year professional contract. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~492096,00.html Showunmi signs Luton Town F.C. 24 February 2004 24 May 2012 On 13 February, preferred bidder Bill Tomlins stated that he hoped Luton would be out of administration within a week, assuming the handover of the club went smoothly. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~487604,00.html Statement regarding administrative receivership Luton Town F.C. 13 February 2004 24 May 2012 However, no news was heard for over a month, which only then confirmed that the transfer of ownership of the club was planned to take place on 31 March. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~506363,00.html Club statement Luton Town F.C. 26 March 2004 24 May 2012 On the pitch, Luton started March in a similar fashion to February with a draw and a win to place themselves in sixth position, just inside the play-offs, with twelve games left to play. However, the club soon slipped down the league, with a loss and two draws pushing them into mid-table. Irish defender Kevin Foley, a regular in the Luton first-team despite officially being classed as a youth player, agreed a two-and-a-half-year professional contract on 10 March. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~498680,00.html Foley agrees terms with Hatters Luton Town F.C. 10 March 2004 24 May 2012 The end of the month also saw the closure of the transfer window, and the club released striker Dean Crowe, who had made only two starts all season. Crowe subsequently joined Oldham Athletic. With Crowe's wages freed up, Luton signed Rushden & Diamonds captain and left-back Paul Underwood on a free transfer following the League's approval. In terms of financial issues, the planned date for transfer of ownership on 31 March passed without event, with the future of the club still in the balance. A series of statements throughout April informing that Luton Town would be out of administration "soon" also failed to yield any immediate positive outcome. A poor run of results saw Luton pick up only one win from seven games in April, with a 2–1 defeat to Wrexham on 24 April confirming that the play-offs were mathematically out of reach. May and June A win and loss in the final two games in early May meant that Luton finished the season in tenth place, seven points away from a play-off place. Given the financial constraints placed on the team and chaotic conditions surrounding ownership, the season exceeded most supporter and pundit expectations. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~512645,00.html Thank You Luton Town F.C. 8 May 2004 24 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910232304/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~512645,00.html 10 September 2012 dead dmy-all On 12 May Bill Tomlins, head of the consortium buying Luton Town, confirmed the Football League had formally approved the purchase of the club from administrative receivership. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~517331,00.html Press release Luton Town F.C. 12 May 2004 24 May 2012 Tomlins committed himself to building a new stadium on land purchased by previous chairman Mike Watson-Challis, with plans to open it in 2006. He also praised Trust in Luton for saving the club in July 2003. Goalkeeper Morten Hyldgaard left the club on 14 May at the expiration of his contract, as did youth players Matthew Judge and Parys Okai. On 21 May, Luton turned down a bid from Sheffield Wednesday for top scorer Steve Howard. Initially, the bid was reported as being accepted, but it later came to light that a forged fax had been sent to Sheffield Wednesday apparently accepting the offer, while the official response from Luton had been to reject it. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~527044,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20200904104803/https://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~527044,00.html dead 4 September 2020 Club statement Luton Town F.C. 21 May 2004 24 May 2012 A day later, defender Chris Coyne and midfielder Steve Robinson both signed two-year contract extensions. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~527154,00.html Club statement Luton Town F.C. 24 May 2004 24 May 2012April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes On 27 May, youth players Curtis Davies, Rob Beckwith and Stephen O'Leary signed two-year professional contracts, while Michael Leary extended his own professional contract by a further two years. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~526804,00.html Youth trio sign pro contracts Luton Town F.C. 27 May 2004 24 May 2012April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Defender Russell Perrett, who had been injured for the majority of the season, signed a one-year contract extension on 7 June. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~527970,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20200904122843/https://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~527970,00.html dead 4 September 2020 Perrett agrees new deal Luton Town F.C. 7 June 2004 24 May 2012 Ten days later, forward Adrian Forbes left the club on a free transfer to join Swansea City. On 23 June, goalkeeper Marlon Beresford agreed to return to Luton on a free transfer, with the deal taking place on 1 July at the opening of the transfer and player registration window. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~534269,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20200904085438/https://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~534269,00.html dead 4 September 2020 Hatters agree terms with goalkeeper Luton Town F.C. 23 June 2004 24 May 2012 Midfielder Paul Hughes agreed to a two-year contract extension on 26 June, as Mike Newell continued to commit players to Luton for the next season. http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~535420,00.html Hughes signs contract Luton Town F.C. 26 June 2004 24 May 2012 Match results Luton Town results given first. Legend WinDrawLoss Friendlies +DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes|15 July 2003 |Fulham |align="center"|Neutral |align="center"|0–1 |align="center"|N/A |align="center"|– |align="center"| Fulham 1–0 Luton http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~399107,00.html Luton Town F.C. 15 July 2003 27 January 2011|19 July 2003 |Hitchin Town |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–0 |align="center"|858 |align="center"|– |align="center"| Hitchin 0–0 Luton http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~400608,00.html Luton Town F.C. 19 July 2003 27 January 2011|22 July 2003 |Arsenal XI |align="center"|Neutral |align="center"|1–0 |align="center"|N/A |align="center"|Howard |align="center"| Arsenal 0–1 Luton http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~401588,00.html Luton Town F.C. 23 July 2003 27 January 2011 Football League Second Division All results, goals, attendances etc. taken from Soccerbase Luton 2003–2004 results http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd Soccerbase Centurycomm 28 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20080414235112/http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd 14 April 2008 dead dmy-all and verified with official Luton Town match reports. Luton 2003–2004 fixtures and match reports http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10372~2003,00.html Luton Town F.C. 28 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910232421/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10372~2003,00.html 10 September 2012 dead dmy-all +DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes|9 August 2003 |Rushden & Diamonds |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–1 |align="center"|6,878 |align="center"|Thorpe (2), Spring |align="center"||16 August 2003 |Stockport County |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–1 |align="center"|4,566 |align="center"|Neilson, Howard |align="center"||23 August 2003 |Grimsby Town |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–2 |align="center"|5,827 |align="center"|Nicholls (pen) |align="center"||25 August 2003 |Brighton & Hove Albion |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–2 |align="center"|6,604 |align="center"|– |align="center"||30 August 2003 |Hartlepool United |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–2 |align="center"|5,515 |align="center"|Howard (2), McSheffrey |align="center"||6 September 2003 |Notts County |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|7,505 |align="center"|Coyne |align="center"||13 September 2003 |Plymouth Argyle |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–2 |align="center"|9,894 |align="center"|McSheffrey |align="center"||16 September 2003 |Port Vale |align="center"|Home |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|5,079 |align="center"|McSheffrey, Foley |align="center"||20 September 2003 |Queens Park Rangers |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|8,339 |align="center"|Howard |align="center"||27 September 2003 |Oldham Athletic |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–3 |align="center"|6,077 |align="center"|– |align="center"||1 October 2003 |Swindon Town |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–2 |align="center"|7,573 |align="center"|McSheffrey (pen), Forbes |align="center"||6 October 2003 |Tranmere Rovers |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–1 |align="center"|5,002 |align="center"|Perrett, McSheffrey, Forbes |align="center"||11 October 2003 |Wycombe Wanderers |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–1 |align="center"|5,595 |align="center"|McSheffrey (2), Perrett |align="center"||18 October 2003 |Brentford |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–4 |align="center"|5,579 |align="center"|Forbes (2) |align="center"||21 October 2003 |AFC Bournemouth |align="center"|Away |align="center"|3–6 |align="center"|6,388 |align="center"|own goal, Hughes, Forbes |align="center"||25 October 2003 |Peterborough United |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|6,067 |align="center"|Forbes |align="center"||1 November 2003 |Bristol City |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|9,735 |align="center"|McSheffrey |align="center"||15 November 2003 |Wrexham |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–2 |align="center"|5,505 |align="center"|Forbes, Robinson, Mansell |align="center"||22 November 2003 |Sheffield Wednesday |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–0 |align="center"|21,027 |align="center"|– |align="center"||29 November 2003 |Chesterfield |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–0 |align="center"|5,453 |align="center"|Howard |align="center"||13 December 2003 |Blackpool |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–0 |align="center"|5,739 |align="center"|Robinson |align="center"||20 December 2003 |Barnsley |align="center"|Home |align="center"|0–1 |align="center"|6,162 |align="center"|– |align="center"||26 December 2003 |Colchester United |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|5,083 |align="center"|Mansell |align="center"||28 December 2003 |Notts County |align="center"|Home |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|7,181 |align="center"|Forbes, Boyce |align="center"||10 January 2004 |Rushden & Diamonds |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–2 |align="center"|5,823 |align="center"|Forbes, Holmes |align="center"||17 January 2004 |Stockport County |align="center"|Home |align="center"|2–2 |align="center"|5,920 |align="center"|own goal, Howard |align="center"||7 February 2004 |Colchester United |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–0 |align="center"|5,662 |align="center"|Showunmi |align="center"||10 February 2004 |Brighton & Hove Albion |align="center"|Home |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|6,846 |align="center"|Holmes, Nicholls (pen) |align="center"||14 February 2004 |Wycombe Wanderers |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–0 |align="center"|6,407 |align="center"|– |align="center"||21 February 2004 |Brentford |align="center"|Home |align="center"|4–1 |align="center"|6,273 |align="center"|Boyce, Showunmi (3) |align="center"||24 February 2004 |Grimsby Town |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–3 |align="center"|3,143 |align="center"|Howard (2) |align="center"||28 February 2004 |Peterborough United |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–1 |align="center"|6,628 |align="center"|Howard, Brkovic |align="center"||6 March 2004 |Barnsley |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–0 |align="center"|8,656 |align="center"|– |align="center"||13 March 2004 |Blackpool |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–2 |align="center"|6,343 |align="center"|Boyce, Holmes, Showunmi |align="center"||16 March 2004 |Port Vale |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–1 |align="center"|5,048 |align="center"|– |align="center"||20 March 2004 |Plymouth Argyle |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|8,499 |align="center"|Coyne |align="center"||27 March 2004 |Queens Park Rangers |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|17,695 |align="center"|Showunmi |align="center"||3 April 2004 |Oldham Athletic |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|5,966 |align="center"|Showunmi |align="center"||6 April 2004 |Hartlepool United |align="center"|Away |align="center"|3–4 |align="center"|4,434 |align="center"|Howard, Leary (2) |align="center"||10 April 2004 |Tranmere Rovers |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–1 |align="center"|7,937 |align="center"|– |align="center"||12 April 2004 |Swindon Town |align="center"|Home |align="center"|0–3 |align="center"|7,008 |align="center"|– |align="center"||17 April 2004 |Bristol City |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–2 |align="center"|6,944 |align="center"|Howard, Boyce, Keane |align="center"||20 April 2004 |AFC Bournemouth |align="center"|Home |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|6,485 |align="center"|Howard |align="center"||24 April 2004 |Wrexham |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–2 |align="center"|3,239 |align="center"|Howard |align="center"||1 May 2004 |Sheffield Wednesday |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–2 |align="center"|7,157 |align="center"|Howard (2), O'Leary |align="center"||8 May 2004 |Chesterfield |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–1 |align="center"|6,285 |align="center"|– |align="center"| FA Cup information on this season's FA Cup 2003–04 FA Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes|First round |7 November 2003 |Thurrock |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|1,551 |align="center"|Boyce |align="center"||First round replay |18 November 2003 |Thurrock |align="center"|Home |align="center"|3–1 |align="center"|3,667 |align="center"|Forbes (3) |align="center"||Second round |6 December 2003 |Rochdale |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|2,807 |align="center"|Robinson (pen), Mansell |align="center"||Third round |3 January 2004 |Bradford City |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–1 |align="center"|8,222 |align="center"|Forbes (2) |align="center"||Fourth round |24 January 2004 |Tranmere Rovers |align="center"|Home |align="center"|0–1 |align="center"|8,767 |align="center"|– |align="center"| Football League Cup information on this season's Football League Cup 2003–04 Football League Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes|First round |12 August 2003 |Yeovil Town |align="center"|Home |align="center"|4–1 |align="center"|4,337 |align="center"|Foley, Thorpe, Pitt, Howard |align="center"||Second round |23 September 2003 |Charlton Athletic |align="center"|Away |align="center"|4–4 (aet) |align="center"|10,905 |align="center"|Foley, Bayliss, McSheffrey, Coyne |align="center"|pens A Football League Trophy +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes|First round |14 October 2003 |Stevenage Borough |align="center"|Away |align="center"|1–0 |align="center"|1,754 |align="center"|Judge |align="center"||Second round |4 November 2003 |Rushden & Diamonds |align="center"|Away |align="center"|2–1 |align="center"|2,746 |align="center"|Showunmi, Leary (pen) |align="center"||Quarter-final |9 December 2003 |Southend United |align="center"|Away |align="center"|0–3 |align="center"|2,027 |align="center"|– |align="center"| League table 2003–04 Football League#Second Division Second Division y LUT Player statistics Last match played on 8 May 2004. Players with a zero in every column only appeared as unused substitutes. Luton 2003–2004 player appearances http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=138&teamid=2910 Soccerbase Centurycomm 27 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20090831003753/http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=138&teamid=2910 31 August 2009 dead dmy-all No.Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupFL TrophyTotalDisciplineAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals13px13px1GKDEN Morten Hyldgaard180000000180003DFWAL Alan Neilson11 (3)100100012 (3)1104MFENG Matthew Spring241302010301605DFENG Russell Perrett5 (1)20000005 (1)2406DFENG Paul Underwood1000000010007MFENG Adrian Forbes21 (6)945000 (1)025 (7)14418MFENG Kevin Nicholls212101000232419FWENG Tony Thorpe22001100330011MFNIR Steve Robinson32 (2)241002038 (2)35012DFAUS Chris Coyne4425021205337014MFENG Courtney Pitt11 (1)0001 (1)10012 (2)11015FWENG Dean Crowe0 (8)00 (3)00 (1)0202 (12)01016FWNGR Enoch Showunmi18 (8)720002 (1)122 (9)83017DFBRB Emmerson Boyce4245120004957018MFCRO Ahmet Brković24 (8)150102032 (8)13019FWSCO Steve Howard3415302110401610120DFENG Curtis Davies4 (2)000000 (1)04 (3)02021MFENG Paul Hughes20 (2)100200022 (2)15122DFENG David Bayliss60001100714023MFWAL Ian Hillier8 (3)02 (1)00 (1)03013 (5)03124DFENG Sol Davis34 (2)0401 (1)03042 (3)014225FWENG Gary McSheffrey1880011001993026MFIRL Keith Keane14 (1)10 (1)0001015 (2)11027MFENG Peter Holmes11 (5)32 (1)0001014 (6)33029GKENG Marlon Beresford1105000101700032MFENG Lee Mansell12 (4)251003020 (4)33033GKENG Dean Brill4 (1)00000206 (1)00035GKENG Nathan Abbey00000000000036DFENG Joe Deeney0000001 (1)01 (1)00038MFENG Michael Leary8 (6)21 (1)00 (1)02 (1)111 (9)35039MFIRL Stephen O'Leary3 (2)10000104 (2)12041DFIRL Kevin Foley32 (1)130220037 (1)34043FWENG Matthew Judge0 (1)000001 (1)10 (2)10044MFENG Parys Okai000 (1)00 (1)0101 (2)00045DFENG Leon Barnett00100020301047GKENG Rob Beckwith13000200015001 Managerial statistics Only competitive games from the 2003–04 season are included. NameNat.FromToRecordHonoursPLDWDLGFGAW%Mike NewellENG23 June 200315 March 200756231716887941.1 Awards Awarded on 2 May 2004. AwardNameNo.Pos.NotesSupporters' Player of the SeasonBRB Emmerson Boyce17DF LTFC 2003–04 Awards http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~520534,00.html Luton Town F.C. 2 May 2004 14 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120820074354/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~520534%2C00.html 20 August 2012 dead dmy-allPlayers' Player of the SeasonBRB Emmerson Boyce17DFInternet Player of the SeasonBRB Emmerson Boyce17DFYoung Player of the SeasonIRL Kevin Foley41DFYoung Members' Player of the SeasonNGR Enoch Showunmi16FWGoal of the SeasonNIR Steve Robinson11MFgoal B Transfers In DatePlayerFromFeeRef. Reference 6 September 2003 Nigeria Enoch Showunmi Unattached Newell swoops for Showunmi http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~421120,00.html Luton Town F.C. 6 September 2003 16 February 2011 10 October 2003 England Nathan Abbey Stevenage Borough Free Hatters add goalkeeping cover http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~436281,00.html Luton Town F.C. 10 October 2003 16 February 2011 24 October 2003 England Marlon Beresford Bradford City Free Newell strengthens squad http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~442349,00.html Luton Town F.C. 24 October 2003 16 February 2011 29 January 2004 Denmark Morten Hyldgaard Hibernian Free Hatters complete signing of goalkeeper http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~480279,00.html Luton Town F.C. 29 January 2004 16 February 2011 25 March 2004 England Paul Underwood Rushden & Diamonds Free Deadline Day Round-Up http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~505296,00.html Luton Town F.C. 25 March 2004 16 February 2011 Out DatePlayerToFeeRef. Reference 22 August 2003 England Tony Thorpe Queens Park Rangers £50,000 Newell confirms new arrival as he speaks out about Thorpe's departure http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~415180,00.html Luton Town F.C. 22 August 2003 16 February 2011 24 October 2003 England Nathan Abbey Macclesfield Town Free 26 January 2004 England Marlon Beresford Barnsley Free Beresford signs for Barnsley http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~479188,00.html Luton Town F.C. 26 January 2004 16 February 2011 25 March 2004 England Dean Crowe Oldham Athletic Free 12 May 2004 England Matthew Judge Dagenham & Redbridge Free 12 May 2004 England Parys Okai Cambridge United Free 14 May 2004 Denmark Morten Hyldgaard Esbjerg fB Free In the press http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~526745,00.html Luton Town F.C. 14 May 2004 16 February 2011 17 June 2004 England Adrian Forbes Swansea City Free Forbes passes Swansea medical http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~533307,00.html Luton Town F.C. 17 June 2004 16 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910232633/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~533307,00.html 10 September 2012 dead dmy-all Loans in DatePlayerFromEnd dateRef. Reference 8 August 2003 England Courtney Pitt Portsmouth 22 October 2003 Loan man comes into the squad for Rushden visit http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~408741,00.html Luton Town F.C. 8 August 2003 16 February 2011 22 August 2003 England Gary McSheffrey Coventry City 3 December 2003 Loans out DatePlayerToEnd dateRef. Reference 26 September 2003 England Dean Crowe York City 26 October 2003 Crowe temporarily flies Hatters' nest http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~430357,00.html Luton Town F.C. 26 September 2003 16 February 2011 See also List of Luton Town F.C. seasons Footnotes A. pens Luton lost 8–7 in a penalty shootout B. goal The goal of the season was awarded to Steve Robinson's strike against Blackpool on 13 December 2003. References 2 Category:Luton Town F.C. seasons Luton Town