2003–04 Birmingham City F.C. season


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

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. 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. In contrast to the previous season, 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.
August
Birmingham's first game of the season was televised live on Sky Sports on 16 August. They beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at St Andrew's, courtesy of a debut goal by David Dunn. The midfielder netted from the penalty spot after Anthony Gardner fouled Robbie Savage.
Steve Bruce's side battled to draw 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 overcame Newcastle United 1-0 at St James' Park as their impressive form continued. Gary Speed brought down Damien Johnson in the box but Dunn saw his penalty saved. Dunn scored the rebound to give Birmingham a second league win in three games. In the game, referee Matt Messias unintentionally floored Blues midfielder Robbie Savage with a flying elbow as he signalled a free-kick.
The win saw Birmingham climb to 6th in the table as they entered September.
September
Birmingham signed Mikael Forssell on a season-long loan from Chelsea before the transfer window shut. The Finn impressed on his debut live on Sky Sports in a lively 2-2 draw against Fulham at St Andrew's. Louis Saha gave the away side an early lead but Forssell equalised moments before half-time. Sylvain Legwinski was harshly sent off for tripping David Dunn. Fulham still took a late lead through Luis Boa Morte but Forssell levelled from close range on 82 minutes. Darren Purse was then dismissed by referee Steve Dunn after an altercation with Boa Morte in the aftermath of the goal.
Leeds lost 2-0 to Birmingham at Elland Road after they had Roque Junior sent off on 77 minutes. He brought down Mikael Forssell in the box and David Dunn stepped up to take the spot-kick. He saw his penalty saved by Paul Robinson but the assistant referee deemed the goalkeeper moved before the ball was kicked. Robbie Savage made no mistake with the retake and Forssell's smart finish late on sealed the win.
Birmingham made their best start to a league season courtesy of their win over Portsmouth at St Andrews on 27 September. Stephen Clemence and Stan Lazaridis each scored for Blues and moved their side to fourth in the table.
October
Manchester United stunted Birmingham's strong start by beating them 3-0 at Old Trafford on 4 October. Goalkeeper Maik Taylor was sent off by referee Mike Dean on 38 minutes after he fouled Paul Scholes. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the penalty and Scholes and Ryan Giggs added to the lead in the second period.
Birmingham held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at St Andrew's on 14 October. Birmingham's watertight defence kept Chelsea at bay and ensured they remained 4th in the league.
Aston Villa came to St Andrews's in search of their first win over arch-rivals Birmingham in the Premiership. They lost the two encounters the season before. Stephen Clemence came the closest for Birmingham with a long-range effort, which was denied by a fine Thomas Sorensen save.
Birmingham beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at the end of the month to notch their fifth league win of the season. The lively Forssell scored on 31 minutes after a swift counterattack. The clean sheet ensured Birmingham only conceded three goals in the whole of October.
November
A Matt Holland brace condemned Birmingham to their second defeat of the season as Charlton moved up to seventh place in the Premiership on 3 November. The game saw Christophe Dugarry score his last goal for Birmingham with a powerful header on 64 minutes but the hosts were unable to rescue a late point.
Mikael Forssell scored his fifth league goal of the season in Birmingham's 1-1 draw at home to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers to give his side a 48th minute advantage, but the impressive forward Stefan Iversen snatched his side a draw.
Birmingham slipped to eighth after a 3-0 home loss to Arsenal on 22 November. Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires scored as Arsenal made it 13 games unbeaten.
The defeat was followed another loss as Liverpool rallied to beat Birmingham 3-1 at Anfield. Forssell gave Birmingham the lead on 33 minutes but Liverpool's dogged resilience saw them fight back. Goals from Steven Gerrard, Harry Kewell and Emile Heskey saw The Reds celebrate their first win over Birmingham in the Premiership.
December
December began badly for Birmingham as Blackburn Rovers thrashed them 4-0 at St Andrew's. Barry Ferguson grabbed his first Premiership goal since his switch from Rangers to set Rovers on their way in the 66th minute. Lucas Neill added the second just two minutes later, Tugay made sure of a vital three points with a superb piledriver before Paul Gallagher added a fourth. Christophe Dugarry was sent off on 72 minutes after receiving two yellow cards.
But Birmingham bounced back to defeat Leicester City 2-0 at the Walker's Stadium in a highly charged Midlands derby. Referee Mike Riley sent off Leicester skipper Matt Elliott after he caught David Dunn with his forearm in an aerial challenge. Minutes later Clinton Morrison opened his account for the season, latching onto Jamie Clapham's excellent cross. Leicester goalkeeper Ian Walker was sent off for handling outside his penalty area on 61 minutes before Forssell headed home City's second.
Birmingham scored twice in the last 10 minutes to come from behind and beat Manchester City at St Andrews on Boxing Day 2003. Robbie Fowler put Manchester City ahead on 14 minutes but Blues defender Jeff Kenna scored a rare goal to equalise on 81 minutes from a free-kick. And Birmingham won it on 87 minutes after Mikael Forssell netted for the eighth time in the league that season.
Wayne Rooney grabbed the only goal of the game when Birmingham made the trip up to Everton on 28 December. Birmingham ended the calendar year in 10th place in the table.
January
Stephane Dalmat impressed and scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur thumped Birmingham 4-1 at White Hart Lane. Robbie Savage scored from the penalty spot on 68 minutes but Birmingham conceded three in a dismal first half and a late Robbie Keane strike.
Jeff Kenna struck against his former club in Birmingham's 2-1 win over Southampton at St Andrew's. It was Birmingham's first victory in three games but they had to come from behind after Brett Ormerod put Saints ahead on six minutes. A Fitz Hall own goal restored parity on 16 minutes after a header from a corner deflected off the defender and in. Kenna scored the winner after playing a great one-two with Clinton Morrison and side-footing past Antti Niemi. David Prutton was sent off minutes later for elbowing Kenna.
Birmingham recorded their second 0-0 draw against Chelsea that season when they visited Stamford Bridge on 18 January. Defender Oliver Tebily cleared superbly off the line to deny William Gallas and Maik Taylor pulled off several fine saves to keep a clean sheet.
Newcastle visited St Andrew's on 31 January. Gary Speed had given them the lead with an excellent 30-yard thunderbolt but, in a lively second-half, Bryan Hughes hit the bar and Shay Given denied Forssell with a smart stop. Deep in stoppage time, Stern John dramatically rescued a point for Birmingham when he turned home a long Kenny Cunningham free-kick.
February
Another Maik Taylor masterclass shutout Manchester City when Birmingham travelled to Eastlands on 8 February. The game ended goalless after Taylor pulled off some stunning saves to deny Robbie Fowler, Antoine Sibierski and Jon Macken in particular.
Three days later Birmingham won impressively at Everton, thanks to goals by Damien Johnson, Stan Lazardis and Mikael Forssell. Birmingham took the lead on eight minutes through Johnson and doubled their advantage when Lazardis scored a spectacular second. Forssell's strike, his 10th league goal of the season, sealed a comfortable away victory.
But Birmingham fell two goals behind to Aston Villa in the Second City Derby on 22 February within 47 minutes. Darius Vassell and Thomas Hitzelsperger gave Villa the handsome advantage but Forssell rifled home for Blues on 60 minutes. Deep in stoppage time, Stern John pounced from two yards out to rescue a point for the plucky away side.
March
Birmingham City made it seven games without defeat after they beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at St Andrew's on 3 March. Martin Taylor opened the scoring, deflecting in Mikael Forssell's shot to score his first goal for Birmingham. Robbie Savage then curled in a fine free-kick on 57 minutes. Szilard Nemeth pulled a goal back with a low shot for the visitors but Forssell scored on 79 minutes to seal his side's win. It was his 13th goal of the campaign. Boudewijn Zenden was sent off late on for receiving a second yellow card after a foul on the lively Damien Johnson.
Birmingham recorded back-to-back wins by doing the double over Bolton Wanderers a week later. Forssell scored for the fourth game in a row to give Steve Bruce's side a 29th minute advantage and Bryan Hughes netted his first goal of the season for Birmingham in the second half. The victory saw the club climb to fifth in the table.

Match details

DateLeague
position		OpponentsVenueResultScore
F–A		ScorersAttendanceReport
16 August 20036thTottenham HotspurHW1–0Dunn 36' pen.29,358
23 August 20036thSouthamptonAD0–031,656
30 August 20036thNewcastle UnitedAW1–0Dunn 61'52,006
14 September 20038thFulhamHD2–2Forssell 45', 82'27,250
20 September 20037thLeeds UnitedAW2–0Savage 79' pen., Forssell 84'34,305
27 September 20034thPortsmouthHW2–0Clemence 21', Lazaridis 50'29,057
4 October 20035thManchester UnitedAL0–367,633
14 October 20034thChelseaHD0–029,460
19 October 20034thAston VillaHD0–029,546
25 October 20034thBolton WanderersAW1–0Forssell 31'25,023
3 November 20034thCharlton AthleticHL1–2Dugarry 64'27,225
8 November 20035thWolverhampton WanderersAD1–1Forssell 49'28,831
22 November 20035thArsenalHL0–329,588
30 November 20038thLiverpoolAL1–3Forssell 33'42,683
6 December 20038thBlackburn RoversHL0–429,354
13 December 20038thLeicester CityAW2–0Morrison 42', Forssell 66'30,639
26 December 20038thManchester CityHW2–1Kenna 81', Forssell 87'29,520
28 December 20039thEvertonAL0–139,631
7 January 200410thTottenham HotspurAL1–4Savage 68' pen.30,016
10 January 20048thSouthamptonHW2–1Clemence 16', Kenna 67'29,071
18 January 20049thChelseaAD0–041,073
31 January 20049thNewcastle UnitedHD1–1John 90'29,513
8 February 200410thManchester CityAD0–046,967
11 February 20049thEvertonHW3–0Johnson 8', Lazaridis 39', Forssell 49'23,331
22 February 20048thAston VillaAD2–2Forssell 60', John 90'40,061
3 March 20047thMiddlesbroughHW3–1Martin Taylor 23', Savage 57', Forssell 79'29,369
6 March 20045thBolton WanderersHW2–0Forssell 24', Hughes 69'28,003
13 March 20046thLeicester CityHL0–129,491
20 March 20047thMiddlesbroughAL3–5Forssell 23', 59', Morrison 45'30,244
27 March 20046thLeeds UnitedHW4–1Hughes 12', 67, Forssell 69', 82' pen.29,069
3 April 20046thFulhamAD0–014,667
10 April 20046thManchester UnitedHL1–2Grainger 53'29,548
12 April 20048thPortsmouthAL1–3John 67'20,104
17 April 20048thCharlton AthleticAD1–1Morrison 84'29,115
25 April 20049thWolverhampton WanderersHD2–2Forssell 34', Morrison 41'29,494
1 May 20049thArsenalAD0–038,061
8 May 200410thLiverpoolHL0–329,553
15 May 200410thBlackburn RoversAD1–1John 83'26,070

League table

Results summary

FA Cup

Birmingham reached the fifth round of the 2003–04 FA Cup before losing to Sunderland of Division One after a replay.
RoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScore
F–A		ScorersAttendanceReport
Third round3 January 2004Blackburn RoversHW4–0Morrison 23', Clemence 36', Forssell 78', Hughes 84'18,688
Fourth round24 January 2004WimbledonHW1–0Hughes 4'22,159
Fifth round14 February 2004SunderlandAD1–1Forssell 28'24,966
Fifth round replay25 February 2004SunderlandHL0–225,645

League Cup

Birmingham lost in the second round of the 2003–04 League Cup to Blackpool of Division Two.
RoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScore
F–A		ScorersAttendanceReport
Second round23 September 2003BlackpoolAL0–17,370

Transfers

In

Out

DatePlayerFeeJoinedRef
8 July 2003Tommy MooneyFreeSwindon Town
8 August 2003Joey HutchinsonFreeDarlington
14 August 2003Michael JohnsonNominalDerby County
5 September 2003Geoff Horsfield£500,000Wigan Athletic
12 September 2003Paul Devlin£150,000Watford
23 December 2003Luciano FigueroaContract cancelled
2 February 2004Jovan KirovskiReleased
11 March 2004Christophe DugarryReleased
12 March 2004Jeff KennaFreeDerby County
25 March 2004Craig FaganFreeColchester United
30 March 2004Tommy WilliamsReleasedPeterborough United
18 June 2004Darren Purse£750,000West Bromwich Albion
30 June 2004Bryan HughesReleased

Loan in

DatePlayerClubReturnRef
8 August 2003Maik TaylorFulhamEnd of season
28 August 2003Mikael ForssellChelseaEnd of season

Loan out

DatePlayerClubReturnRef
1 August 2003Craig FaganColchester United25 March 2004
10 October 2003Andrew BarrowmanCrewe AlexandraOne month
21 November 2003Mat SadlerNorthampton TownTwo months
24 December 2003Nico VaesenGillinghamOne month
1 January 2004Tommy WilliamsPeterborough UnitedThree months
12 February 2004Martin GraingerCoventry City18 March 2004
13 February 2004Nico VaesenBradford CityOne month
18 March 2004Nico VaesenCrystal PalaceEnd of season

Appearances and goals

No.PosNatName
20MFTom Williams
27DFJoey Hutchinson
29DFCraig Fagan
30DFMat Sadler
34MFNeil Kilkenny