During the 2002–03 English football season, Ipswich Town competed in the First Division, following relegation from the FA Premier League the previous season. Despite being relegated, Ipswich Town had achieved UEFA Cup qualification for the second season running, this time via the UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking.
Season summary
The financial cost of relegation the previous season saw Ipswich enter administration on 10 February.[1] The financial problems had caused the sale of both key players like Marcus Stewart and promising young players like Titus Bramble and Darren Ambrose, leading to poor results on the pitch that left Ipswich struggling near the relegation zone. A 3–0 defeat at fellow strugglers Grimsby Town proved to be the final straw and manager George Burley was sacked in October. First team coach and former Ipswich player Tony Mowbray took charge of the next four games, winning one, before being replaced by Joe Royle - a former player for Town's archrivals Norwich City. Royle turned Town's fortunes around considerably and they finished in 7th place, 4 points off the playoff places.
In the League Cup, Ipswich reached the fourth round before being knocked out by eventual winners Liverpool 5–4 on penalties, after Tommy Miller's strike in the fourteenth minute was cancelled out by El Hadji Diouf's 54th-minute penalty.
First-team squad
Squad at end of season[2]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Updated to match(es) played on 11 May 2003. Source: Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
^"Town Off to Denmark". TWTD. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
^"Ipswich Town 2001-2002 Results - statto.com". Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
^"Royle reunion for Gerrard". BBC Sport. 16 November 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
^ a b"Two Players Released". TWTD. 5 April 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Football | Teams | Newcastle United | Bramble bids for starring role". BBC Sport. 4 July 2002. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
^"Stewart Signs at Mackems". TWTD. 30 August 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Branagan Retires". TWTD. 31 October 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Brown Signs for Watford". TWTD. 18 December 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
^"Clapham Move Complete". TWTD. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Logan Signs at Boston". TWTD. 20 January 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Miller Joins Orient". TWTD. 31 January 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Burton Signs for Donny". TWTD. 11 March 2003. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
^"Ambrose Deal Complete". TWTD. 24 March 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Hermann Deal Complete". TWTD. 27 March 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Accident may delay Sereni debut". UEFA.com. 29 July 2002. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
^"Burton Loan Confirmed". TWTD. 6 August 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Le Pen Loan Confirmed". TWTD. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Miller Off On Loan". TWTD. 13 September 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Miller Loan Extended". TWTD. 7 November 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Artun Off on Loan". TWTD. 16 September 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^"Logan Off to Boston". TWTD. 29 November 2002. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
^ a b"Two join Boston on loan". Ipswich Town F.C. Official Website. 26 March 2003. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
^"All Ipswich Town players: 2004".
^"Matt Supporters' Winner". TWTD. 24 April 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
^"Pablo Players' Favourite". TWTD. 25 April 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
^"I Want to Stay - Pablo". TWTD. 28 April 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2020.