During the 2003–04 season, Crewe Alexandra participated in the Football League First Division, their 81st in the English Football League.

Season summary Crewe finished in 18th place, a satisfactory position for a side returning to the First Division. Striker Dean Ashton scored 19 goals to make him the league's fourth-highest scorer, attracting attention from many larger clubs.

Kit Reebok remained Crewe's kit manufacturers, and introduced a new kit for the season. L. C. Charles continued as kit sponsors for the sixth consecutive season.

Final league table

Results Crewe Alexandra's score comes first

Legend WinDrawLoss

Football League First Division DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 9 August 2003 WimbledonA1–31,145Brammer 16 August 2003 Ipswich TownH1–06,982Lunt 23 August 2003 MillwallA1–19,504Ashton 25 August 2003 WalsallH1–07,026S Jones 30 August 2003 BurnleyA0–111,495 13 September 2003 Rotherham UnitedA2–05,495Ashton (pen), Walker 16 September 2003 West Ham UnitedH0–39,575 20 September 2003 Nottingham ForestH3–18,685Lunt, Ashton, S Jones 27 September 2003 Cardiff CityA0–314,385 1 October 2003 Coventry CityA0–211,557 4 October 2003 WatfordH0–17,055 14 October 2003 Bradford CityH2–25,867S Jones, Ashton 18 October 2003 Derby CountyH3–08,656Barrowman, Ashton, Rix 21 October 2003 Preston North EndH2–17,012Lunt, Foster 25 October 2003 Stoke CityA1–117,569S Jones 1 November 2003 ReadingH1–07,091S Jones 4 November 2003 Sheffield UnitedA0–217,396 8 November 2003 GillinghamA0–26,923 22 November 2003 SunderlandH3–09,807Ashton, S Jones (2) 29 November 2003 Norwich CityA0–116,367 6 December 2003 GillinghamH1–16,271S Jones 9 December 2003 Crystal PalaceA3–112,259Ashton (2), Varney 13 December 2003 West Bromwich AlbionA2–222,825S Jones, Wright 20 December 2003 Wigan AthleticH2–37,873B Jones, S Jones 26 December 2003 BurnleyH3–19,512Ashton, S Jones (2) 28 December 2003 Preston North EndA0–015,830 10 January 2004 WimbledonH1–020,473S Jones 17 January 2004 Ipswich TownA4–622,071Ashton, McGreal (own goal), Richards (own goal), Robinson 31 January 2004 MillwallH1–26,685Roberts 7 February 2004 WalsallA1–16,871Foster 21 February 2004 Bradford CityA1–29,935Rix 24 February 2004 Sheffield UnitedH0–16,525 3 March 2004 Derby CountyA0–019,861 6 March 2004 Wigan AthleticA3–28,367Ashton (3, 2 pens) 13 March 2004 West Bromwich AlbionH1–28,335Ashton 17 March 2004 West Ham UnitedA2–431,158S Jones 20 March 2004 Cardiff CityH0–16,650 23 March 2004 Stoke CityH2–010,014Hall (own goal), Lunt 27 March 2004 Nottingham ForestA0–224,347 3 April 2004 Rotherham UnitedH0–06,749 10 April 2004 WatfordA1–218,041Ashton (pen) 12 April 2004 Coventry CityH3–17,475Higdon, Symes, Ashton (pen) 17 April 2004 ReadingA1–114,729Lunt 24 April 2004 Crystal PalaceH2–38,136Ashton, Lunt 1 May 2004 SunderlandA1–125,311Ashton 9 May 2004 Norwich CityA1–39,833Ashton

FA Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR33 January 2004 Telford UnitedH0–17,085

League Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR112 August 2003 WrexhamH2–03,152Ashton (pen), S JonesR223 September 2003 Leicester CityA0–127,675

Squad

Left club during season

Transfers

In Adie Moses – Barnsley, free, 8 JulyInfos at news.bbc.co.uk Anthony Tonkin – Stockport County, £150,000, August Allan Smart – Dundee United

Out Dave Walton – Derby County, free

Top scorers Dean Ashton, 19 Steve Jones, 15

References