For the third season running, a late slump in form ended Charlton Athletic's hopes of European qualification. In 2001–02, they had finished 14th after failing to win any of their final eight games. In 2002–03, they had finished 12th after winning only one of their final ten games. 2003–04, however, brought Charlton's best ever Premier League finish, as well as their highest league finish since the 1950s, as they came seventh. The club were inside the Champions League places as late as mid-March, but the familiar end-of-season setback, winning only four of their last 16 games, caused them to slip out of contention.
At the end of the season, goalkeeper Dean Kiely was named the club's Player of the Year.
Source: Premier League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Players
First-team squad
Squad at end of season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Euell was born in Lambeth, England, and represented them at U-21 level, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally through his father and would make his international debut for Jamaica in November 2004.
^Lisbie was born in Hackney, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in 2002.
^Campbell-Ryce was born in Lambeth, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and would make his international debut for Jamaica in 2003.
^Deane was born in London, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented them at youth level.
^Sam was born in Leeds, England, and represented them at U-20 level, but also qualified to represent Ghana internationally through his parents and would make his international debut for Ghana in October 2015.