2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season

In today's world, 2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season has become a topic of increasing interest to people of all ages and walks of life. Whether for its impact on society, technology, health or culture, 2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season has generated passionate debates and deep analysis. In this article, we will explore the various facets of 2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, examining its evolution over time, its influence on different aspects of daily life and the future perspectives it raises. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we will try to shed light on this fascinating and relevant topic today.

Wolverhampton Wanderers
2002–03 season
ChairmanSir Jack Hayward OBE
ManagerDave Jones
Football League First Division5th
(promoted via play-offs)
FA CupQuarter-finals
League Cup2nd round
Top goalscorerLeague: Kenny Miller (19)
All: Kenny Miller (24)
Highest home attendance28,190 (vs Leicester City, 4 May 2003)
Lowest home attendance23,016 (vs Brighton, 11 November 2002)
Average home league attendance25,745 (league only)

The 2002–03 season was the 104th season of competitive league football in the history of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played the season in the second tier of the English football system, the Football League First Division.

The season was a huge success for the club as they were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs after finishing fifth in the table. It was their first and only success in the play-off system from, to date, six attempts. This ended a nineteen-year top flight absence for the club and a fourteen-year stay in the same division.

Season review

Paul Ince was Wolves' high-profile summer signing.

In contrast to the heavy spending of the previous close season, Summer 2002 saw the club recruit four players on free transfers. Two of these incoming players were however high-profile deals, with former England captain Paul Ince signing alongside ex-Manchester United stalwart Denis Irwin, on one-year deals.

The season began strongly with an opening day draw at administration-hit Bradford City, followed by three successive victories that put the club at the top of the table. Their form soon dipped though, and the next seven games brought just one win. An upturn saw a 10-game unbeaten run return the team to the play-off positions, aided by the loan addition of striker Carlton Cole. The Christmas/New Year period though brought a return of just two points from a possible 15.

With this drop in form, manager Dave Jones faced criticism from chairman Sir Jack Hayward at the turn of the year, publicly reminding him that he had promised to deliver automatic promotion. With the club lying 10th in the league, some 16 points from the top two, the FA Cup provided a welcome distraction as the team entered their best performance of the campaign to eliminate Premier League high flyers Newcastle United in a thrilling televised tie.

The following week brought a first league success in six games, with a narrow victory at neighbours Walsall further relieving the pressure on manager Jones. A 4–1 cup triumph against promotion chasers Leicester City preceded the team's highest away win of the campaign, where they defeated Sheffield Wednesday 4–0 to return to the play-off zone. However, their following away fixture brought the team crashing back to ground with a 1–4 loss at relegation strugglers Brighton.

An unbeaten sequence yielded 14 points from 18 before a slender loss at runaway leaders Portsmouth. March also saw an exit from the FA Cup, losing 0–2 at Premier League Southampton in Wolves' first quarter final appearance for five years, before the club recorded their biggest win since 1988 as they thumped Gillingham 6–0.

By April Wolves sat in sixth place, the final play-off berth, but with the East Anglian duo of Ipswich and Norwich just two points behind. Easter Monday brought the decisive round of games to clarify the play-off picture with Ipswich losing earlier in the day, meaning Wolves could confirm their play-off place if they won at Norwich. A 3–0 victory that evening ensured the club would participate in its fourth play-off campaign at this level.

Dave Jones became the first Wolves manager to return the club to the top flight in 19 years.

Wolves finished the season in fifth place after two successive draws, meaning they would play Reading in the play-offs. The first leg saw them at home, where they overturned a half time deficit to win the game 2–1 and take a lead into the second leg. A tense 1–0 success at the Madejski Stadium thanks to a goal from substitute Alex Rae sent them into the final for the first time, breaking a run of three successive losses in away legs.

The final was staged at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff where Wolves met Sheffield United. The Blades had had a strong season, being positioned in the play-off zone almost throughout and reaching the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup. Wolves won the game decisively with three first-half goals by Mark Kennedy, Nathan Blake and top goalscorer Kenny Miller bringing a 3–0 triumph, preserved by goalkeeper Matt Murray who saved a second half penalty from Michael Brown as part of a man of the match performance.

Promotion ended a 19-year absence from the top level of English football for the club and a fourteen-year stay in the same division. It also brought owner Sir Jack Hayward his dream of Premier League football at his 13th attempt. Three days later Hayward joined in a bus parade through Wolverhampton city centre to Molineux to celebrate the triumph. 0

Results

Pre season

Wolves' pre season saw them spend a week in Cascais, Portugal (15–22 July), training and playing two Portuguese sides. As had become common in recent years, only their final game was held at their Molineux home.

13 July 2002 Kettering Town 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Kettering
15:00 BST Report Newton 57' Stadium: Rockingham Road
Attendance: 988
13 July 2002 Morecambe 3–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Morecambe
15:00 BST Black 57'
Bentley 59', 72'		 Report Cameron 9'
Sturridge 30'
Jones 87'		 Stadium: Christie Park
Referee: Lee Mason
18 July 2002 Sporting CP 5–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Alcochete, Portugal
18:30 BST Luís Filipe 5'
Pollet 58' (o.g.)
Niculae 68' (pen.)
Rui Bento 71'
Toñito 83'		 Report Newton 78' Stadium: Academia Sporting
Attendance: 400
Referee: Bruno Paixão
21 July 2002 Marítimo 1–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Rio Maior, Portugal
19:00 BST Quim 50' Report Stadium: Municipal Sports Complex
Referee: Olegário Benquerença
27 July 2002 Stockport County 0–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Stockport
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Edgeley Park
Referee: George Cain
31 July 2002 Cardiff City 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Cardiff
19:45 BST Report Proudlock 84' Stadium: Ninian Park
Attendance: 8,064
Referee: Paul Thomas
3 August 2002 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–2 Newcastle United Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Report LuaLua 6', 68' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 14,973
Referee: Frazer Stretton

A second string Wolves side also played: 2–0 v Kidderminster Harriers (24 July), 4–0 v Worcester City (1 August) and 0–0 v Burton Albion (6 August)

Football League First Division

See also: 2002–03 Football League

A total of 24 teams competed in the Football League First Division in the 2002–03 season. Each team played every other team twice: once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Three points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.

The provisional fixture list was released on 13 June 2002, but was subject to change in the event of matches being selected for television coverage or police concerns.

11 August 2002 1 Bradford City 0–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Bradford
16:30 BST Report Stadium: Bradford & Bingley Stadium
Attendance: 13,223 (1,763 away fans)
Referee: Colin Webster
14 August 2002 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–1 Walsall Wolverhampton
19:45 BST Cameron 11', 55'
Newton 86'		 Report Herivelto 68' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,904 (2,982 away fans)
Referee: Mike Jones
17 August 2002 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 Burnley Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Blake 2'
Irwin 49'
Cooper 88'		 Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,031 (1,259 away fans)
Referee: Jeff Winter
24 August 2002 4 Derby County 1–4 Wolverhampton Wanderers Derby
15:00 BST Christie 45' Report Rae 19', 88'
Cooper 77'
Miller 90+2'		 Stadium: Pride Park
Attendance: 29,954 (3,500 away fans)
Referee: Alan Kaye
27 August 2002 5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–2 Sheffield Wednesday Wolverhampton
19:45 BST Blake 60'
Sturridge 68'		 Report Kuqi 9', 63' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,096 (997 away fans)
Referee: Mike Pike
31 August 2002 6 Wimbledon 3–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers London
15:00 BST Shipperley 4', 77'
Gray 54'		 Report Ingimarsson 15'
Sturridge 70'		 Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 3,223 (1,800 away fans)
Referee: Brian Curson
14 September 2002 7 Crystal Palace 4–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers London
15:00 BST Routledge 1'
Freedman 36', 62' (pen.)
Thomson 71'		 Report Ingimarsson 31'
Blake 71'		 Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 16,961 (1,820 away fans)
Referee: Lee Cable
21 September 2002 8 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–1 Reading Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Report Hughes 58' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,560 (1,721 away fans)
Referee: Michael Ryan
24 September 2002 9 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–0 Preston North End Wolverhampton
19:45 BST Blake 23', 85'
Sturridge 45'
Miller 86'		 Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 23,695 (663 away fans)
Referee: Richard Beeby
28 September 2002 10 Leicester City 1–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Leicester
15:00 BST Dickov 6' (pen.) Report Stadium: Walkers Stadium
Attendance: 32,082 (3,300 away fans)
Referee: Mike Riley
5 October 2002 11 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–3 Sheffield United Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Ullathorne 35' (o.g.) Report Tonge 45+5', 50'
Allison 48'		 Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 24,625 (1,500 away fans)
Referee: Paul Taylor
19 October 2002 12 Stoke City 0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke-on-Trent
17:35 BST Report Cameron 78'
Blake 90+3'		 Stadium: Britannia Stadium
Attendance: 16,885 (2,007 away fans)
Referee: Mark Halsey
26 October 2002 13 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–1 Grimsby Town Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Irwin 30'
Miller 66'
Ndah 71'
Sturridge 90+4'		 Report Kabba 2' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 23,875 (891 away fans)
Referee: Frazer Stretton
29 October 2002 14 Gillingham 0–4 Wolverhampton Wanderers Gillingham
19:45 GMT Report Cameron 28' (pen.)
Blake 45+2', 52', 59'		 Stadium: Priestfield
Attendance: 10,036 (1,600 away fans)
Referee: Matt Messias
2 November 2002 15 Watford 1–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Watford
15:00 GMT Cox 66' Report Cooper 90+2' Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 16,524 (1,433 away fans)
Referee: Paul Armstrong
6 November 2002 16 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Portsmouth Wolverhampton
19:45 GMT Sturridge 62' Report Merson 56' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,022 (2,380 away fans)
Referee: Graham Salisbury
11 November 2002 17 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Wolverhampton
19:45 GMT Miller 76' Report Zamora 15' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 23,016 (943 away fans)
Referee: Steve Baines
16 November 2002 18 Coventry City 0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Coventry
15:00 GMT Report Lescott 38'
Rae 77'		 Stadium: Highfield Road
Attendance: 18,998 (2,683 away fans)
Referee: Graham Laws
23 November 2002 19 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 Nottingham Forest Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Miller 76'
Sturridge 80'		 Report Harewood 45+3' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,953 (2,623 away fans)
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
30 November 2002 20 Rotherham United 0–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Rotherham
17:35 GMT Report Stadium: Millmoor
Attendance: 6,736 (1,935 away fans)
Referee: Paul Robinson
7 December 2002 21 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Norwich City Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Cole 37' Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,753 (1,708 away fans)
Referee: Andy D'Urso
14 December 2002 22 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–2 Coventry City Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Report McAllister 8'
Partridge 65'		 Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,577 (1,688 away fans)
Referee: Howard Webb
21 December 2002 23 Millwall 1–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers London
15:00 GMT Roberts 43' Report Kennedy 5' Stadium: The New Den
Attendance: 9,091 (0 away fans)
Referee: Clive Penton
26 December 2002 24 Burnley 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Burnley
15:00 GMT Taylor 24'
West 32'		 Report Butler 85' Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 18,641 (1,535 away fans)
Referee: Matt Messias
28 December 2002 25 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–2 Bradford City Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Ndah 54' Report Jørgensen 51'
Gray 59'		 Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,812 (930 away fans)
Referee: Anthony Bates
1 January 2003 26 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Derby County Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Ince 66' Report Christie 15' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 26,442 (2,190 away fans)
Referee: Neale Barry
11 January 2003 27 Walsall 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Walsall
15:00 GMT Report Ndah 64' Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 11,037 (2,000 away fans)
Referee: Phil Dowd
18 January 2003 28 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Wimbledon Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Miller 43' Report Francis 46' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 23,716 (306 away fans)
Referee: Steve Tomlin
1 February 2003 29 Sheffield Wednesday 0–4 Wolverhampton Wanderers Sheffield
15:00 GMT Report Proudlock 24', 42'
Miller 67'
Sturridge 89'		 Stadium: Hillsborough
Attendance: 21,381 (2,316 away fans)
Referee: Jeff Winter
8 February 2003 30 Brighton & Hove Albion 4–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Brighton
15:00 GMT Zamora 31'
Blackwell 45'
Brooker 47'
Hart 67'		 Report Miller 65' Stadium: Withdean Stadium
Attendance: 6,754 (850 away fans)
Referee: Peter Walton
19 February 2003 31 Ipswich Town 2–4 Wolverhampton Wanderers Ipswich
19:45 GMT Bent 2'
Holland 45+1'		 Report Miller 11', 63'
Naylor 74'
Ndah 81'		 Stadium: Portman Road
Attendance: 27,700 (1,638 away fans)
Referee: Steve Bennett
22 February 2003 32 Preston North End 0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Preston
15:00 GMT Report Ndah 53'
Miller 83'		 Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 16,070 (2,796 away fans)
Referee: Paul Danson
25 February 2003 33 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–0 Watford Wolverhampton
19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 24,591 (987 away fans)
Referee: Alan Kaye
1 March 2003 34 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–0 Crystal Palace Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Miller 40', 83', 90+3' (pen.)
Sturridge 77'		 Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 26,010 (845 away fans)
Referee: Paul Robinson
5 March 2003 35 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Ipswich Town Wolverhampton
19:45 GMT Ince 48' Report Naylor 84' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 26,901 (1,500 away fans)
Referee: Mike Jones
12 March 2003 36 Reading 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Reading
20:00 GMT Report Miller 44' Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 19,731 (2,686 away fans)
Referee: Richard Beeby
15 March 2003 37 Portsmouth 1–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Portsmouth
15:00 GMT Stone 4' Report Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 19,558 (1,300 away fans)
Referee: Phil Dowd
18 March 2003 38 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–0 Stoke City Wolverhampton
19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,235 (1,384 away fans)
Referee: Jeff Winter
22 March 2003 39 Wolverhampton Wanderers 6–0 Gillingham Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Blake 16'
Cameron 22'
Kennedy 37', 45+3'
Miller 45+1', 48'		 Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,171 (674 away fans)
Referee: Howard Webb
5 April 2003 40 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–0 Rotherham United Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Cameron soccer ball with red X 88' Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 25,944 (774 away fans)
Referee: Andy Hall
8 April 2003 41 Grimsby Town 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Cleethorpes
19:45 BST Report Blake 13' Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 4,983 (1,104 away fans)
Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme
11 April 2003 42 Nottingham Forest 2–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nottingham
19:45 BST Johnson 40'
Dawson 74'		 Report Blake 9'
Cameron 26'		 Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 27,209 (2,100 away fans)
Referee: Tony Leake
19 April 2003 43 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 Millwall Wolverhampton
15:00 BST Newton 5', 80'
Cameron 78'		 Report Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,015 (723 away fans)
Referee: Matt Messias
21 April 2003 44 Norwich City 0–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Norwich
17:35 BST Report Ndah 52'
Sturridge 74'
Miller 90+3'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 20,843 (1,788 away fans)
Referee: Clive Wilkes
26 April 2003 45 Sheffield United 3–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Sheffield
15:00 BST Peschisolido 2', 90+2'
Brown 55' (pen.)		 Report Ndah 10'
Sturridge 45+4', 61' (pen.)		 Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 22,211 (2,523 away fans)
Referee: Paul Robinson
4 May 2003 46 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Leicester City Wolverhampton
13:30 BST Miller 57' Report Benjamin 86' (pen.) Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 28,190 (3,000 away fans)
Referee: Graham Laws

Final table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Portsmouth 46 29 11 6 97 45 +52 98
2 Leicester City 46 26 14 6 73 40 +33 92
3 Sheffield United 46 23 11 12 72 52 +20 80
4 Reading 46 25 4 17 61 46 +15 79
5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 20 16 10 81 44 +37 76
6 Nottingham Forest 46 20 14 12 82 50 +32 74
7 Ipswich Town 46 19 13 14 80 64 +16 70

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
46 20 16 10 81 44  +37 76 9 10 4 40 19  +21 11 6 6 41 25  +16

Source: Statto.com

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
ResultDWWWDLLLWLLWWWDDDWWDWLDLLDWDWLWWDWDWLDWDWDWWDD
Position1153124101491014121189996586779101088676654666566555455
Source: Statto.com
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Play-offs

See also: 2003 Football League First Division play-off Final
10 May 2003 SF1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 Reading Wolverhampton
17:30 BST Murty 75' (o.g.)
Naylor 84'		 Report Forster 25' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,678 (4,500 away fans)
Referee: Alan Kaye
14 May 2003 SF2 Reading 0–1
(1–3 agg.)		 Wolverhampton Wanderers Reading
19:45 BST Report Rae 81' Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 24,060 (4,000 away fans)
Referee: Howard Webb
26 May 2003 Final Sheffield United 0–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Cardiff
15:00 BST Report Kennedy 6'
Blake 22'
Miller 45'		 Stadium: Millennium Stadium
Attendance: 69,473 (33,500 Wolves)
Referee: Steve Bennett

FA Cup

See also: 2002–03 FA Cup
5 January 2003 R3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–2 Newcastle United Wolverhampton
16:00 GMT Ince 6'
Kennedy 28'
Ndah 49'		 Report Jenas 40'
Shearer 43' (pen.)		 Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 27,316 (3,000 away fans)
Referee: Rob Styles
25 January 2003 R4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–1 Leicester City Wolverhampton
15:00 GMT Ndah 5', 45'
Miller 51', 71'		 Report Dickov 29' (pen.) Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 28,164 (2,998 away fans)
Referee: Mike Dean
16 February 2003 R5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–1 Rochdale Wolverhampton
19:00 GMT Ndah 32'
Miller 79'
Proudlock 90+2'		 Report Melaugh 52' Stadium: Molineux
Attendance: 23,921 (3,432 away fans)
Referee: Uriah Rennie
9 March 2003 QF Southampton 2–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers Southampton
16:00 GMT Marsden 56'
Butler 81' (o.g.)		 Report Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 31,715 (3,900 away fans)
Referee: Andy D'Urso

League Cup

See also: 2002–03 Football League Cup
11 September 2002 R1 Swansea City 2–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers Swansea
19:45 BST Thomas 8'
Wood 22'		 Report Blake 16'
Pollet 34'
Rae 78'		 Stadium: Vetch Field
Attendance: 4,799 (835 away fans)
Referee: Scott Mathieson
1 October 2002 R2 Rotherham United 4–4 (a.e.t.)
(4 - 2 p)		 Wolverhampton Wanderers Rotherham
19:45 BST Barker 5', 93'
Robins 78' (pen.)
Swailes 86'		 Report Newton 45' (pen.)
Miller 58'
Rae 70'
Scott 120' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Millmoor
Attendance: 5,064 (988 away fans)
Referee: Phil Prosser
Penalties
Robins soccer ball with red X
Swailes soccer ball with check mark
Bryan soccer ball with check mark
Hurst soccer ball with check mark
Mullin soccer ball with check mark		 soccer ball with check mark Sturridge
soccer ball with check mark Blake
soccer ball with red X Newton
soccer ball with red X Irwin

Players

Statistics

Key:
  ‡ On loan from another club   * First appearance(s) for the club

Correct as of the season's end. Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances in parentheses where applicable.

No.PosNamePGPGPGPGPG A yellow card A red card Notes
League FA CupLeague CupPlayoffsTotalDiscipline
1 GK England Michael Oakes 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 0 0 0
2 DF England Sean Connelly † 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 DF England Lee Naylor 31(1) 1 4 0 2 0 3 1 40(1) 2 1 0
4 MF Scotland Alex Rae 30(8) 3 0(2) 0 2 2 0(1) 1 32(11) 6 9 0
5 DF England Joleon Lescott 44 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 52 0 1 0
6 DF Republic of Ireland Paul Butler 31(1) 0 4 0 2 0 3 0 40(1) 0 10 0
7 MF England Shaun Newton 29(4) 3 4 0 2 1 2(1) 0 37(5) 4 5 0
8 DF Republic of Ireland Denis Irwin 43 2 4 0 1(1) 0 3 0 51(1) 2 6 0
9 FW Wales Nathan Blake 22(1) 12 1 0 2 1 3 1 28(1) 14 6 1
10 MF Scotland Colin Cameron 29(4) 7 4 0 0 0 3 0 36(4) 7 3 0
11 MF Republic of Ireland Mark Kennedy 30(1) 3 4 1 0 0 3 1 37(1) 5 4 0
12 FW England Adam Proudlock ¤ 2(15) 2 0(3) 1 0(1) 0 0(1) 0 2(20) 3 1 0
13 GK England Matt Murray 40 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 48 0 0 0
14 DF France Ludovic Pollet ¤ 2(0) 0 0 0 1 1 0(1) 0 3(1) 1 1 0
15 MF England Kevin Cooper 13(13) 3 0(1) 0 0 0 0(1) 0 13(15) 3 5 0
16 FW Scotland Kenny Miller 35(8) 19 4 3 1(1) 1 3 1 43(9) 24 5 0
17 DF Guinea Mo Camara 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 FW Nigeria George Ndah 17(8) 7 3 4 1 0 1 0 22(8) 11 7 0
19 MF Republic of Ireland Keith Andrews 2(7) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3(7) 0 1 0
20 FW England Michael Branch ¤ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 DF Iceland Ívar Ingimarsson ¤ 10(3) 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 12(3) 2 2 0
23 MF England Paul Ince (c) 35(2) 2 4 1 1(1) 0 3 0 43(3) 3 13 0
24 DF England Marc Edworthy 18(4) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 19(4) 0 3 0
29 FW England Dean Sturridge 17(22) 10 0(1) 0 0(1) 0 0(3) 0 17(27) 10 4 0
30 GK United States Ian Feuer † 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 DF Northern Ireland Mark Clyde ¤ 15(2) 0 0(1) 0 0 0 0 0 15(3) 0 1 0
32 MF Republic of Ireland John Melligan ¤ 0(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(2) 0 0 0
33 MF Republic of Ireland Graham Ward 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
34 MF Northern Ireland Sammy Clingan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
35 DF Republic of Ireland Kenny Coleman ¤ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
36 GK England Lewis Solly † 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
37 GK Australia Adam Federici 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
39 FW England Carlton Cole ‡ 5(2) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5(2) 1 0 0

Awards

Award Winner
Fans' Player of the Season Joleon Lescott
Young Player of the Season Matt Murray

Transfers

In

Date Player From Fee
1 July 2002 Iceland Ívar Ingimarsson Unattached Free
23 July 2002 Republic of Ireland Denis Irwin Unattached Free
6 August 2002 England Paul Ince Unattached Free
23 August 2002 England Marc Edworthy Unattached Free
18 September 2002 United States Ian Feuer Unattached Non-contract
26 February 2003 Australia Adam Federici Unattached End of season

Out

Date Player To Fee
June 2002 England Andy Sinton Released Free
June 2002 Wales Carl Robinson Released Free
1 July 2002 Australia Kevin Muscat Scotland Rangers Free
11 July 2002 England Darren Bazeley Released Free
2 August 2002 Republic of Ireland Colin Larkin Mansfield Town £120,000
28 September 2002 United States Ian Feuer Released Free
10 October 2002 England Sean Connelly Released Free
28 March 2003 England Lewis Solly Bury Free

Loans in

Start date Player From End date
28 November 2002 England Carlton Cole Chelsea 3 January 2003

Loans out

Start date Player To End date
1 July 2002 Belgium Cédric Roussel Belgium Mons End of season
12 September 2002 Northern Ireland Mark Clyde Kidderminster Harriers 12 October 2002
12 September 2002 Republic of Ireland John Melligan Kidderminster Harriers 4 May 2003
4 October 2002 England Michael Branch Hull City 3 December 2002
10 October 2002 Republic of Ireland Kenny Coleman Kidderminster Harriers End of season
25 October 2002 England Adam Proudlock Tranmere Rovers 25 November 2002
14 November 2002 France Ludovic Pollet Walsall 1 January 2003
13 December 2002 England Adam Proudlock Sheffield Wednesday 7 January 2003
10 February 2003 Iceland Ívar Ingimarsson Brighton & Hove Albion 4 May 2003

Kit

The season saw new home and away kits, manufactured by Admiral. The home strip reverted to a lighter gold colour after two years wearing a darker "old gold" style, while the away kit returned to the club's traditional all-white look. After twelve seasons sponsored by Goodyear, the club signed a two-year deal with Doritos.

References

  1. ^ a b "Ince agrees Wolves move". BBC Sport. 6 August 2002.
  2. ^ a b "Irwin joins Wolves". BBC Sport. 23 July 2002.
  3. ^ a b "Cole joins Wolves on loan". BBC Sport. 28 November 2002.
  4. ^ "Targeted Jones has Molineux agenda revised". Birmingham Post. 2 January 2003.
  5. ^ "Don't air this dirty linen in public, Sir Jack". Sunday Mercury. 5 January 2003.
  6. ^ "Wonderers! Wolves savage Toon and save Jones' job". The Mirror. 6 January 2003.
  7. ^ "Rotherham 2-1 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 21 April 2003.
  8. ^ "Arsenal sink brave Blades". BBC Sport. 13 April 2003.
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