1902/03 SEASON REVIEW
After the resignation of Sam Ormerod, in the Summer City appointed Tom Maley as manager, he had the job of trying to get The Blues back into Division 1 at the first time of asking, following their relegation in last season.
moving away from Hyde Road, Hugh Morgan joined Accrington Stanley after just one season on City’s books.
City raided Scotland to bolster the squad bringing in talented youngster Sandy Turnbull from Scottish non league Hurlford, Robert Davidson from Celtic and John Miller from Hamilton Academicals.
In August during the pre-season trial game, Di Jones gashed his knee badly on a piece of glass, and although he was treated by the club doctor, the wound was infected and went sceptic and a week later he died of blood poisoning and lockjaw.
City played one pre-season friendly beating Glasgow Celtic 1-0 at Hyde Road.
Maley got off to a great start in Division 2, beating Lincoln 3-1 at Hyde Road on the opening day of the season, then a friendly was played in Manchester as a benefit for Di Jones’ widow and children, The Blues beat Bolton 3-1. Back in the league, despite losing 4-0 at Small Heath, where Robert Davidson was attacked by a fan on the touchline, City beat Leicester Fosse 3-1 at home and Chesterfield Town 1-0 at The Recreation Ground.
Moving into October City drew 1-1 at Burnley and then beat Preston 1-0 at Hyde Road, the early Division 2 table showed The Blues in fourth place just two points behind leaders Lincoln with a game in hand.
City were on a winning streak as on their travels they beat Burslem Port Vale 4-1 at The Athletic Ground and Gainsborough Trinity 3-0 at The Northolme.
At home to Barnsley it looked like another win, however with City 5-0 up incredibly the referee abandoned the game due to bad light with just ten minutes to play.
Moving into November, despite a 1-0 defeat at Woolwich Arsenal, City went top of the league with a 2-0 win at Hyde Road against Burton United. However they then lost 3-2 at new leaders Bristol City. During November two players moved to Stockport County, Robert Hunter, having played just seven games and James Hosie who had been at Hyde Road for 18 months and played over 40 matches.
Maley’s side got back to winning ways as they beat Glossop 5-2 at Hyde Road, then in the re-arranged home game against Barnsley, justice was done as City won 3-2 and went back to the top of Division 2.
Three further wins followed, 5-0 at home to Stockport, 3-0 at Blackpool and 4-1 at Hyde Road against Woolwich Arsenal. Maley then strengthened the squad, bringing in John McMahon from Preston for a fee reported to be £400.
The Blues moved into the Festive period still top of the league with 25 points from 16 games.
On Christmas Day City drew 0-0 at Manchester United, they beat Preston 2-0 at Deepdale on Boxing Day and a day later they won 2-1 at Doncaster Rovers.
It was a mixed start to 1903, on New Years Day, Doncaster Rovers were beaten 4-1 at Hyde Road, but City were beaten 1-0 at Lincoln, then for the second time in the season a match at Hyde Road was abandoned with less than ten minutes to go due to bad light, Small Heath were leading 1-0 when the match was stopped with seven minutes left.
A 1-1 draw at Leicester Fosse was followed by two further victories, 4-2 against Chesterfield Town and 6-0 against Burnley, both games at Hyde Road.
The Blues couldn’t keep up their form in the FA Cup as they were beaten 3-1 at Preston in the first round.
Back in the league however City were going goal crazy, as they beat Burslem Port Vale 7-1 in Manchester to cement them in top spot with 39 points from 25 games, Small Heath were second with 35 points from 23 games and Woolwich Arsenal third with 34 points from 24 games. Small Heath were then beaten 4-0 in the rearranged game
City had promotion in their sights as they scored their 30th goal in just the last five league matches, thrashing Gainsborough Trinity 9-0 at Hyde Road. Then made it 35 goals in six league games as they beat Burton United 5-0 at Peel Croft.
Despite a 2-2 draw at home to Bristol City, The went on to clinch promotion as they beat Glossop 1-0 at North Road and Stockport 2-0 at Edgeley Park.
They lost the Manchester Derby at Hyde Road, United winning 2-0, however the City fans got to celebrate promotion as they beat Blackpool 2-0 in the last home game of the season.
Then with a 3-0 win at Barnsley in their last game of the season City were crowned Champions of Division 2, finishing on 54 points.
The Blues play three post season friendlies, winning 1-0 at Aberdare, 2-1 at Ayr United and drawing 0-0 at Glasgow Celtic.