By Scott Cooper
December 31 2003
2003 - What a year for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Highs and lows of the typical Wolves Fan Highlighted in one year. From FA Cup Heroics to a Play-Off Final (and win), from the Premiership, to the greatest `comeback` in Premiership History - THE YEAR THAT WAS!
2003
- What a year for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Highs and lows of the
typical Wolves Fan Highlighted in one year. From FA Cup Heroics to a
Play-Off Final (and win), from the Premiership, to the greatest
`comeback` in Premiership History - THE YEAR THAT WAS! The
end of the Nationwide Campaign saw Wolves lose just three games, but it
was the start of the season which got off to the dramatic of starts. Wolves
were drawn at home to Newcastle United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup -
It turned out to be the start of a magnificent Wolves revival after the
poor end to the 2002 year. Goals from Ince, Kennedy and Ndah sealed a
magnificent 3-2 win, signaling one of the great cup shocks in recent cup
history. The
win was to kick start something special for Wolves and after a scrappy
win at Walsall the push for the Play-Offs was on. A
win over Leicester in the next round of the cup followed the excitement
of the Newcastle Clash as Wolves headed to the Quarter Finals of the FA
Cup, before being knocked out at the hands of Southampton. Meanwhile,
Wolves impressive league form had continued. Wins over Sheffield
Wednesday, Preston, Crystal Palace and Reading had seen strikers Kenny
Miller and George Ndah hit top form. After
a blip away to Portsmouth, a 6-0 thrashing of Gillingham and a 3-0 win
over Millwall, Wolves confirmed a Play-Off place after a televised 3-0
win over Norwich City. Wolves
place in the Play-Offs was confirmed, and after the formality of the
season ending, which again saw Wolves without defeat, Wolves were to
play Reading at home in the first leg of the Play Offs. Play-Off
History had not been great at Molineux, so it was no surprise when
Forster opened the scoring for the visitors in a poor first half at
Molineux. However,
a spirited fight-back saw Wolves come from behind to take a 2-1 lead to
Readings Madejski Stadium. After
80 nail biting minutes, Alex Rae scored a winning goal at Reading -
Wolves were in the Play-Off final. Wolves
opponents in the final, Sheffield United were tipped to win the final at
the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, but after 90 fantastic minutes and
goals from Kennedy, Blake and Miller, a Penalty Save from Matt Murray
and some fantastic football, Wolves returned to the top flight of
English Football. Players
started to come and go. Iversen, Henri Camara, Craddock and Silas joined
the new Premiership Club, whilst Proudlock, Mo Camara, Branch and others
headed for the exit. A
"Baptism of fire" hit Wolves in the opening game of the
Premiership Season which was to see Wolves win just 3 games before the
turn of the year. One
win, however came at the expense of Leicester City and was dubbed as one
of the greatest comebacks of all time. Wolves
trailed 3-0 at Half Time but a second half revival saw Wolves win the
game 4-3, before Wolves ended the year with a win over Leeds United. It`s
been one hell of a year. The day at Cardiff will live long in the
memory. The wins over Newcastle, Gillingham and Reading in the play-offs
will be remembered fondly, but with half of the Premiership Season still
to go, the bumpy ride has not yet ended.
Wolves

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