During the 2003–04 English football season, Crystal Palace F.C. competed in the Football League First Division.

Season summary

Crystal Palace started the season on the right foot, winning their first three games to top the table, but that was as good as it got under manager Steve Kember

Steve Kember

Stephen Dennis "Steve" Kember is a former footballer who played in the centre of midfield during his career, before going into management...

 and, after a 5–0 at newly-promoted Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic F.C.

Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...

 in November saw the club in 20th place, Kember was sacked (chairman Simon Jordan

Simon Jordan

Simon Jordan is an English businessman who made his fortune in the mobile phone industry. In 2000 he purchased Crystal Palace Football Club and remained chairman of the club until they entered administration in early 2010....

 going back on his vow that Kember would have a "job for life" at Palace). Kit Symons

Kit Symons

Christopher "Kit" Symons is a former Welsh international footballer.-Club career:A defender, Symons began his career at Portsmouth, spending seven years at the south coast club, making 160 appearances...

 stepped up as caretaker until Northern Irishman and former Palace striker Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie

Iain Dowie is a former footballer and manager. He is currently without a club. He has previously managed Hull City and Queens Park Rangers and was assistant manager of Newcastle United...

 was appointed. Under Dowie, Palace rocketed up the table to reach the play-offs. After beating Sunderland

Sunderland A.F.C.

Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...

 on penalties in the semi-final to reach the Millennium Stadium

Millennium Stadium

The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...

, they beat West Ham United

West Ham United F.C.

West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...

 to regain promotion to the Premiership.

Crucial to Palace's promotion was striker Andy Johnson, who scored 28 times in the league alone. He finished as the First Division's top scorer, and was voted as the club's Player of the Year.

Kit

English company Admiral Sportswear became Palace's kit manufacturers. The new home kit retained the navy shorts worn last season, albeit with a new blue and red striped design along the sides, and the navy socks, which now featured white trim. Palace's traditional blue and red striped shirts were modified with navy trim on the sleeves.

Churchill Insurance

Churchill (insurance)

Churchill is a UK insurance company based in Bromley, London. Founded in 1989 as one of the country’s first direct car insurance companies, the company has expanded to offer a range of general insurance products...

 remained the kit sponsors for the fourth consecutive season.

Squad

Left club during season