2003–04 Millwall F.C. season

During the 2003–04 English football season, Millwall F.C. competed in the Football League First Division, the second tier of English football.

Season summary

Despite having spent the previous seasons chasing promotion to the Premiership, Mark McGhee left Millwall by "mutual consent" in October with the club just six points behind league leaders Sheffield United with 14 games played. His replacement, player-manager Dennis Wise, led Millwall to a final 10th place, four points off the play-offs. The club enjoyed greater success in the FA Cup, reaching the final for the first time in their history,^[2] to face Manchester United. Millwall, who were missing 16 players through injury and suspension, were unable to create many opportunities and lost 3-0^[3] to a United side which had finished third in the Premiership that season - though, as some would say, in somewhat harsh circumstances - United's second goal being a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty awarded after David Livermore apparently fouled Ryan Giggs, although replays showed that Livermore won the ball; and United's third being another goal from van Nistelrooy from three yards out, from an offside position.

Curtis Weston, a boyhood United fan, became the youngest player to ever appear in an FA Cup final when he came on a substitute for Wise in the 89th minute. Weston, aged 17 years 119 days, beat the 125-year-old record previously held by James F. M. Prinsep, who appeared in the 1879 final for Clapham Rovers aged 17 years and 245 days; Weston defeated Prinsep's record by 126 days.

As United had already qualified for the Champions League, Millwall gained European qualification for the first time in their history, entering the UEFA Cup in the first round.

Kit

Strikeforce remained Millwall's kit sponsors. London-based stationery retailer Ryman became kit sponsors.

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Awards

At the end of the season, defender Darren Ward was named the club's player of the year.

References

External links

• Official Website
• Sky Sports
• BBC Football