2002–03 Cardiff City F.C. season
| 2002–03 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Sam Hammam |
| Manager | Lennie Lawrence |
| Division Two | 6th |
| FA Cup | Third round |
| Carling Cup | Second round |
| LDV Vans Trophy | Quarter-finals |
| FAW Premier Cup | Semi-finals |
| Top goalscorer | League: Robert Earnshaw (31) All: Robert Earnshaw (35) |
| Highest home attendance | 15,245 vs Queens Park Rangers (5 April 2003) |
| Lowest home attendance | 11,389 vs Notts County (8 March 2003) |
| Average home league attendance | 13,049 |
During the 2002–03 season Cardiff City played in the Football League Division Two. They finished in six place and were promoted to Division One after beating Queens Park Rangers in the play-off final in Cardiff.
The season also saw Robert Earnshaw break the 56-year record of 30 league goals held by Stan Richards and the record of Hughie Ferguson of 32 goals in all competitions.[1]
Squad
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Championship[2] | FA Cup | League Cup | LDV Vans Trophy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK |  SCO
|
Neil Alexander | 48 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF |  WAL
|
Rhys Weston | 50 | 2 | 42 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | WAL
|
Andy Legg | 46 | 3 | 38 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | MF |  ENG
|
Gareth Whalley | 23 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG
|
Spencer Prior | 46 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | WAL
|
Danny Gabbidon | 28 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | ENG
|
Andy Campbell | 40 | 7 | 31 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | MF |  IRL
|
Graham Kavanagh | 50 | 4 | 47 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG
|
Leo Fortune-West | 28 | 4 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 10 | FW | WAL
|
Robert Earnshaw | 55 | 35 | 49 | 31 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | ENG
|
Peter Thorne | 55 | 16 | 49 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | MF | IRL
|
Willie Boland | 50 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | WAL
|
Martyn Margetson | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | WAL
|
Jason Bowen | 18 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 15 | MF | ENG
|
Mark Bonner | 19 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | WAL
|
Leyton Maxwell | 22 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | WAL
|
James Collins | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | WAL
|
Scott Young | 14 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | ENG
|
Michael Simpkins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | ENG
|
Gareth Ainsworth | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | ENG
|
Gavin Gordon | 11 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 21 | MF | WAL
|
David Hughes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | GK | WAL
|
Mark Walton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | ENG
|
Chris Barker | 50 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | WAL
|
Gethin Jones | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | ENG
|
Des Hamilton | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | ENG
|
Gary Croft | 51 | 1 | 45 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | WAL
|
Ryan Green | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | WAL
|
Josh Low | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | IRL
|
Alan Mahon | 15 | 2 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | SCO
|
Andy Jordan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | WAL
|
Kevin Evans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | MF | WAL
|
Martyn Giles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | GK | WAL
|
Lee Kendall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | WAL
|
Steve Jenkins | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | DF |  CHN
|
Fan Zhiyi | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 69 | 45 | +24 | 83 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
| 5 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 68 | 38 | +30 | 82 | |
| 6 | Cardiff City (O, P) | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 68 | 43 | +25 | 81 | |
| 7 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 66 | 57 | +9 | 80 | |
| 8 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 63 | 52 | +11 | 65 |
Source: [3]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Results by round
Fixtures and results
| 10 August 2002 1 | Oldham Athletic | 1–2 | Cardiff City | Oldham |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 8,033 Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme (Lancashire) |
| 13 August 2002 2 | Cardiff City | 3–1 | Port Vale | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,296 Referee: Paul Rejer (Staffordshire) |
| 17 August 2002 3 | Cardiff City | 1–2 | Northampton Town | Cardiff |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,321 Referee: Lee Cable (Woking) |
| 24 August 2002 4 | Swindon Town | 0–1 | Cardiff City | Swindon |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 7,564 Referee: Barry Knight (Kent) |
| 26 August 2002 5 | Cardiff City | 0–0 | Luton Town | Cardiff |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,564 Referee: Paul Danson (Leicester) |
| 31 August 2002 6 | Cheltenham Town | 1–1 | Cardiff City | Cheltenham |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Whaddon Road Attendance: 4,395 Referee: Graham Barber (Hertfordshire) |
| 14 September 2002 7 | Cardiff City | 2–1 | Stockport County | Cardiff |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 11,546 Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands) |
| 17 September 2002 8 | Cardiff City | 2–0 | Brentford | Cardiff |
| 19:45 |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 12,062 Referee: Guy Stretton (West Bridgford) |
| 21 September 2002 9 | Notts County | 0–1 | Cardiff City | Nottingham |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 6,118 Referee: Paul Robinson (East Yorkshire) |
| 24 September 2002 10 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–2 | Cardiff City | Plymouth |
| 19:45 |
|
|
Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 11,606 Referee: Clive Wilkes (Oxford) |
| 28 September 2002 11 | Cardiff City | 2–1 | Crewe Alexandra | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,208 Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire) |
| 5 October 2002 12 | Wigan Athletic | 2–2 | Cardiff City | Wigan |
|
|
Stadium: JJB Stadium Attendance: 8,047 Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme (Lancashire) |
| 12 October 2002 13 | Cardiff City | 1–0 | Wycombe Wanderers | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,109 Referee: Trevor Parkes (West Midlands) |
| 19 October 2002 14 | Blackpool | 1–0 | Cardiff City | Blackpool |
|
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 7,744 Referee: Mike Riley (West Yorkshire) |
| 26 October 2002 15 | Cardiff City | 4–0 | Tranmere Rovers | Cardiff |
| 17:35 |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 12,096 Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex) |
| 29 October 2002 16 | Mansfield Town | 0–1 | Cardiff City | Mansfield |
|
Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 3,421 Referee: Neale Barry (Lincolnshire) |
| 2 November 2002 17 | Cardiff City | 3–0 | Peterborough United | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 12,918 Referee: Paul Danson (Leicester) |
| 9 November 2002 18 | Barnsley | 3–2 | Cardiff City | Barnsley |
|
|
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 10,894 Referee: Chris Foy (Lancashire) |
| 24 November 2002 19 | Cardiff City | 1–0 | Chesterfield | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,331 Referee: Richard Beeby (Northampton) |
| 29 November 2002 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 0–4 | Cardiff City | London |
|
Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 14,345 Referee: Clive Wilkes (Oxford) |
| 14 December 2002 21 | Cardiff City | 0–2 | Bristol City | Cardiff |
| 17:35 |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 15,239 Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) |
| 20 December 2002 22 | Colchester United | 1–2 | Cardiff City | Colchester |
|
|
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 3,096 Referee: Uriah Rennie (South Yorkshire) |
| 26 December 2002 23 | Luton Town | 2–0 | Cardiff City | Luton |
| 12:00 |
|
Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 7,805 Referee: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire) |
| 29 December 2002 24 | Cardiff City | 4–0 | Huddersfield Town | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,703 Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire) |
| 1 January 2003 25 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | Swindon Town | Cardiff |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,062 Referee: Andy Penn (West Midlands) |
| 18 January 2003 26 | Cardiff City | 2–1 | Cheltenham Town | Cardiff |
| 15:00 |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 11,607 Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire) |
| 25 January 2003 27 | Huddersfield Town | 1–0 | Cardiff City | Huddersfield |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: Kirklees Stadium Attendance: 9,462 Referee: George Cain (Bootle, Merseyside) |
| 31 January 2003 28 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | Oldham Athletic | Cardiff |
| 19:45 |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 12,579 Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire) |
| 4 February 2003 29 | Northampton Town | 0–1 | Cardiff City | Northampton |
|
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 4,553 Referee: Ray Olivier (Sutton Coldfield) |
| 8 February 2003 30 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | Barnsley | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 12,759 Referee: Guy Stretton (West Bridgford) |
| 21 February 2003 31 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 14,006 Referee: Mark Warren (Walsall) |
| 25 February 2003 32 | Port Vale | 0–2 | Cardiff City | Port Vale |
|
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,831 Referee: Paul Taylor (Middlesex) |
| 1 March 2003 33 | Stockport County | 1–1 | Cardiff City | Stockport |
|
|
Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 5,385 Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent) |
| 4 March 2003 34 | Brentford | 0–2 | Cardiff City | London |
|
Stadium: Griffin Park Attendance: 5,727 Referee: Mick Thorpe (Suffolk) |
| 8 March 2003 35 | Cardiff City | 0–2 | Notts County | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 11,389 Referee: Lee Cable (Woking) |
| 14 March 2003 36 | Tranmere Rovers | 3–3 | Cardiff City | Birkenhead |
|
|
Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 9,367 Referee: Alan Butler (Cheshire) |
| 18 March 2003 37 | Cardiff City | 2–1 | Blackpool | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 11,788 Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire) |
| 21 March 2003 38 | Cardiff City | 1–0 | Mansfield Town | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,009 Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire) |
| 5 April 2003 39 | Cardiff City | 1–2 | Queens Park Rangers | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 15,235 Referee: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire) |
| 8 April 2003 40 | Wycombe Wanderers | 0–4 | Cardiff City | High Wycombe |
|
Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 5,889 Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex) |
| 13 April 2003 41 | Chesterfield | 0–3 | Cardiff City | Chesterfield |
| 14:00 |
|
Stadium: Saltergate Attendance: 4,398 Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire) |
| 16 April 2003 42 | Peterborough United | 2–0 | Cardiff City | Peterborough |
| 15:00 |
|
Stadium: London Road Attendance: 4,984 Referee: Eddie Evans (Manchester) |
| 19 April 2003 43 | Cardiff City | 0–3 | Colchester United | Cardiff |
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 12,633 Referee: Steve Tomlin (Lewes) |
| 22 April 2003 44 | Bristol City | 2–0 | Cardiff City | Bristol |
|
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 15,615 Referee: Rob Styles (Dorset) |
| 26 April 2003 45 | Cardiff City | 0–0 | Wigan Athletic | Cardiff |
| Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 14,702 Referee: David Crick (Surrey) |
| 3 May 2003 46 | Crewe Alexandra | 1–1 | Cardiff City | Crewe |
|
|
Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 9,562 Referee: Roy Pearson (Durham) |
| 10 May 2003 Semi Final (First leg) | Cardiff City | 1–0 | Bristol City | Cardiff |
| 15:00 |
|
BBC report | Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 19,146 Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire) |
| 13 May 2003 Semi Final (Second leg) | Bristol City | 0–0 (0–1 agg.) | Cardiff City | Bristol |
| 19:45 | 11v11 report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 16,307 Referee: Jeff Winter (Middlesbrough) |
| 25 May 2003 Final | Queens Park Rangers | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Cardiff City | Cardiff |
| 15:00 | BBC report Sky report |
|
Stadium: Millennium Stadium Attendance: 66,096 Referee: Howard Webb (Yorkshire) |
| 11 September 2002 Round 1 | Boston United | 1–5 | Cardiff City | Boston |
|
|
Stadium: York Street Attendance: 2,280 Referee: Mick Fletcher (Worcestershire) |
| 1 October 2002 Round 2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1–0 | Cardiff City | Tottenham |
|
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 23,723 Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire) |
| 18 November 2002 Round 1 | Tranmere Rovers | 2–2 | Cardiff City | Birkenhead |
|
|
Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 5,592 Referee: Mick Fletcher (Worcestershire) |
| 26 November 2002 Round 1 (Replay) | Cardiff City | 2–1 | Tranmere Rovers | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 6,853 Referee: Mick Fletcher (Worcestershire) |
| 7 December 2002 Round 2 | Margate | 0–3 | Cardiff City | Margate |
|
Stadium: Crabble Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,362 Referee: Ray Olivier (Sutton Coldfield) |
| 4 January 2003 Round 3 | Cardiff City | 2–2 | Coventry City | Cardiff |
|
|
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 16,101 Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire) |
| 15 January 2003 Round 3 (Replay) | Coventry City | 3–0 | Cardiff City | Coventry |
|
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 11,997 Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire) |
| 12 November 2002 Round 2 | Exeter City | 0–3 | Cardiff City | Exeter |
|
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,360 Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire) |
| 10 December 2002 Round 3 | Bournemouth | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Cardiff City | Bournemouth |
|
|
Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 3,615 Referee: Paul Taylor (Middlesex) |
| 28 January 2003 Quarter Final | Total Network Solutions | 1–3 | Cardiff City | Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain |
| Stadium: Park Hall Attendance: 500 |
| 24 March 2003 Semi Final | Newport County | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p) | Cardiff City | Newport |
| Stadium: Newport Stadium Attendance: 1,160 Referee: Steve Hames (Aberdare) |
References
- ^ "Earnie sends records tumbling". BBC Sport. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
- ^ Includes play-off matches and goals
- ^ "League Division 2 end of season table for 2002-03 season". 11v11.com. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ "Cardiff City 2002-03 results". Cardiff City Forum. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
Bibliography
- Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
- Shepherd, Richard (2002). The Definitive Cardiff City F.C. Tony Brown. ISBN 1-899-46817-X.
- Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2002). Rothmans Football Yearbook 2003-2004. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-1228-7.