JANUARY
Arsenal start the year with a 3-2 victory over Chelsea, while two goals in the last nine minutes saw Manchester United move second with a 2-1 win at home to Sunderland. Ugo Ehiogu's New Year started badly - the Middlesbrough man puncturing his lung. Birmingham manager Steve Bruce hails the signing of former France international Christophe Dugarry from Bordeaux as "the biggest in the club's history."
Everton manage to snap up Ibrahim Ba and Brian McBride on loan, but are embarrassingly knocked out of the FA Cup courtesy of Third Division Shrewsbury. Terry Fenwick is named as Northampton Town boss, whilst Mark Bosnich is given his notice by Chelsea after failing a drugs test.
Leeds man Lee Bowyer is handed a six-match Uefa ban, for a stamp, but will complete a move to West Ham before the transfer deadline. Olivier Dacourt completes a move to Roma as the Leeds exodus gathers pace. David Dunn is told he can leave Blackburn, Michael Ricketts is put up for sale by Bolton, opting for Middlesbrough along with Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott on deadline day and Marcelino finally leaves Newcastle United.
Dennis Bergkamp grabbed his 100th Arsenal goal and Thierry Henry also reached a the landmark in a 4-0 drubbing for Birmingham, but better news for Blues defence as Matthew Upson completes a move to the club from Arsenal, Michael Reiziger decides against joining Manchester City on loan - but Kevin Keegan's men do agree a fee for Robbie Fowler. Fulham fail in a bid for Alpay, whilst Sergei Rebrov also decides against The Cottagers, agreeing a move to Fenerbahce.
Ipswich agreed the £1.5 million sale of Jamie Clapham to Birmingham, whilst Charlton tried and failed to overturn a 4-1 win against Chelsea because of a heavily sanded Stamford Bridge pitch. Wayne Rooney signed a professional contract with Everton, whilst former Forest manager Brian Clough had a liver transplant. Neil Warnock claims he was spat at by Stephane Hennchoz as Liverpool beat Sheffield United to reach the Worthington Cup final.
Henry keeps Arsenal purring with a hat-trick against West Ham, whilst Diego Forlan rescues a victory in the final minute against Chelsea for Manchester United. Referee Neale Barry was voted man of the match in Aston Villa's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, whilst David Sommeil agrees a deal to join Manchester City.
West Ham's plight worsens with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Charlton, and another London club - Wimbledon - find a deal to move the club to Milton Keynes. Goalkeeper Tim Howard extends his deal with MLS, although rumours of a move to England are rife. Kazuyuki Toda agrees a move to Spurs, and Terry Venables threatens to quit as Leeds boss if Jonathan Woodgate is sold - Newcastle subsequently sign the defender, but El Tel stays. Southampton sign David Prutton but get rid of Tahar El Khalej who moves on to Charlton, and Manchester United smash six past West Ham in the FA Cup.
Luis van Gaal is sacked by Barcelona, and domestically Middlesbrough's unbeaten home record is smashed by Aston Villa - picking up their first away win of the season with a 5-2 victory. Bolton admit an approach for Mario Jardel but snap up Salva Ballesta on loan instead. Vratislav Gresko agrees a move to Blackburn Rovers, whilst Mickael Forssell is loaned from Chelsea to Borussia Monchengladbach.
West Ham snap up Fulham's Rufus Brevett for the relegation battle. Newcastle's bid for Kleberson founders. Bolton secure French duo Florent Laville and Pierre-Yves Andre on loan on deadline day, whilst Southampton land Danny Higginbotham. Leeds boost their defence by loaning Raul Bravo from Real Madrid, and Carlos Marinelli joins Torino from Boro on a temporary deal. Abel Xavier leaves Liverpool for Galatasaray on loan and David Sommeil joins Manchester City
Highlights: Henry scores 100th goal | Bolton sign Florent Laville & Pierre Yves Andre | Referee wins Man of the Match
FEBRUARY
Leeds supremo Peter Ridsdale receives death threats after the sale of Jonathan Woodgate, whilst Alen Boksic stunningly announces his retirement from football. Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is banned for three games after a horror tackle on Gary Naysmith, whilst Leeds duo Danny Mills and Alan Smith sign new deals at the club. James Beattie extends his contract with Southampton, whilst Scotland's Dominic Matteo retires from international football.
Sven Goran Eriksson calls up Wayne Rooney for his England squad to face Australia - Jermaine Jenas, Sean Davis, James Beattie, Matthew Upson, Francis Jeffers, Scott Parker and Paul Konchesky also gain their first call-ups and are capped in a shocking 3-1 defeat, with a different XI playing in each half. Roy Keane insists he has retired from international football, but is buoyed by news that Manchester City will not be taking legal action over his tackle on Alf Inge Haaland. Haaland is told he can leave City.
Arsenal knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup, whilst Sunderland were knocked out by Division One Watford. David Beckham was nearly knocked out when Sir Alex Ferguson kicked a boot into the England captain's face. Newcastle kept their UEFA Champions League hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, whilst Beckham played in a 2-1 victory for Manchester United over Juventus in the same competition.
Sven Goran Eriksson nearly joined Manchester United, claimed Sir Alex Ferguson, whilst Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson claimed his side were not in a relegation battle - despite being bottom.
Northampton sack Terry Fenwick - seven weeks into his tenure, whilst West Ham confirm they have allowed Paolo Di Canio to talk to an undisclosed Scottish club. Burnley shocked Premiership Fulham with a 3-0 FA Cup victory, Liverpool and Celtic both progressed in the Uefa Cup to set up a highly-anticipated 'Battle of Britain.'
John Mackie was banned for three games after making racist comments to Sheffield United's Carl Asaba, and Ashley Cole goes under the surgeon's knife.
Gary Lineker heads up a consortium that rescues Leicester, and Lothar Matthaus sues Bayern Munich over testimonial money. Steve McManaman suggests he may return to England if he does not get a regular place at Real Madrid.
Fergie give Beckham the boot | Newcastle beat Leverkusen | Arsenal knock out Man Utd
MARCH
Liverpool win the Worthington Cup with a well deserved 2-0 victory over Manchester United whilst goalkeeper Peter Enckelman makes a horrific mistake to gift Birmingham victory over Aston Villa in a feisty Midlands Premiership derby. Manchester City chairman David Bernstein steps down, and the venue for the 2010 World Cup is to be South American according to Fifa.
Forgotten man Christian Bassedas leaves Newcastle United, whilst First Division Sheffield United knocked Leeds out of the FA Cup. Sunderland sack manager Howard Wilkinson and assistant Steve Cotterill and appoint Mick McCarthy. Liverpool's 1-1 Uefa Cup draw against Celtic is marred by El Hadji Diouf spitting into the crowd - the Reds player is fined and banned for the incident. Celtic win the return leg 2-0 to progress.
John Terry earns his first England call-up and wins his first cap whilst Wayne Rooney makes his first appearance in a competitive game for his nation. Arsenal and Newcastle were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Valencia and Barcelona respectively - whilst Caledonian Thistle sensationally knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup in the semi-final. Leeds parted company with Terry Venables, whilst Derby County suspended John Gregory over 'serious allegations,' bringing George Burley in as interim manager.
Manchester United ominously move top of The Premiership for the first time in the season with a 3-0 victory over Fulham, and were drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea to move into the FA Cup semi-finals, whilst Fulham admitted Jean Tigana would leave the club at the end of the season. Manchester City and Northern Ireland's Kevin Horlock announced his retirement from international football, and the Leeds shake-up continued with Peter Ridsdale stepping down as chairman to be replaced by Professor John McKenzie.
Former Brazil boss Mario Zagallo accuses Fifa of siding with European nations in a conspiracy to undermine the Samba Boys' preparations for the 2006 World Cup. Ronaldo suggests he would like to play for Internazionale again, and Milan's Gennaro Gattuso insists his time at Rangers made him the player he is. Pep Guardiola insists he will never play in England, and Carlo Cudicini laughs off suggestions that he could apply for English residency and win a call up under Sven Goran Eriksson.
Liverpool take Worthington Cup | Leeds part company with Venables | Tigana to go
APRIL
El Hadji Diouf is named African Player of the Year, whilst England beat Turkey to put themselves in pole position to qualify for Euro 2004, Darius Vassell and David Beckham grab the goals, but Uefa launch an investigation into crowd trouble at the game.
Bristol City beat Carlisle 2-0 to win the LDV Vans Trophy. Roberto Carlos is in hot water for pushing an official, and banned from international football whilst an investigation is mounted.
Manchester United bowed out of the UEFA Champions League to Real Madrid despite a thrilling 4-3 win at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are made to suffer for a 3-1 defeat in Madrid, losing 6-5 on aggregate. Fifa announce a £55 million profit, to the surprise of their own financial experts.
Yeovil secured their promotion to The Football League for the first time in their history after Chester's draw meant they could not be caught at the top of the Conference table, and Arsenal beat Sheffield United to go into the FA Cup final where they would meet Southampton - winners against Watford in their semi-final.
Manchester United and Arsenal played out a thrilling 2-2 draw - which saw Sol Campbell controversially sent off and subsequently suspended after elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Fulham sack Jean Tigana and replaced him with Chris Coleman, and Crystal Palace part company with Trevor Francis.
West Brom are relegated from The Premiership, whilst Leicester seal their promotion to the top flight. Paul Scholes grabs his 100th Manchester United goal, and Dundee beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle to reach the Scottish Cup final.
Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby find themselves relegated from Division One whilst Northampton drop into Division Three. Glenn Roeder is rushed into hospital for tests and Trevor Brooking appointed to care-take at West Ham in his absence.
Michael Owen joins the elite group of strikers to have scored 100 Premiership goals, and Thierry Henry is named PFA Player of the Year. Portsmouth sign Yakubu Aiyegbeni from Maccabi Haifa, and Fulham announce record losses.
Gareth Southgate's agent dismisses rumours of a move to Newcastle from Middlesbrough, and Gilles Grimandi quits the US MLS without even playing a game. Gabriel Batistuta insists he is moving to an English club, and Ibrahim Said ends his Everton loan early to care for his sick mother.
The Football League state that clubs going into administration will lose points. Paolo Di Canio confirms he will not try to stay at West Ham in the summer and Alan Shearer is named Premiership Player of the Decade. Bayern Munich confess they will try to sign Roy Makaay, Peter Reid insists that he can keep Leeds from the drop and Real Madrid make an official denial that they want to sign David Beckham from Manchester United.
Henry named Player of the Year | United bow out of Champions League | Roeder rushed into hospital
MAY
Manchester United seal their eighth Premiership title in 11 years when Arsenal lose 3-2 to Leeds. David Beckham insists he has not had any contact from Real Madrid. The FA is fined £70,000 for the racist chanting from England fans towards Turkey - and Uefa fine Sir Alex Ferguson for suggesting the UEFA Champions League draw is rigged.
Thierry Henry is named Football Writers' Player of the Year, and Christophe Dugarry is fined for spitting at Joey Gudjonsson. Tottenham confirm that Teddy Sheringham's contract will not be renewed. John Gregory is sacked by Derby County but Peter Reid is confirmed as full-time manager of Leeds. Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor resigned, West Ham finally went down despite a 2-2 draw with Birmingham, and released 10 players including Paolo Di Canio, Lee Bowyer and Nigel Winterburn.
Arsenal won the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Southampton courtesy of a goal by Robert Pires. Celtic lost in the Uefa Cup final to Porto courtesy of a 'silver goal' in the first half of extra time from Derlei. England beat South Africa 2-1 in an international friendly in which Beckham broke his wrist, whilst Aston Villa's Dion Dublin was fined for head-butting Robbie Savage.
Chelsea pipped Liverpool to the final Champions League spot by beating The Reds 2-1 on the final day of the season. Chris Coleman was confirmed as permanent manager of Fulham. Manchester City appointed John Wardle as their new chairman, whilst Newcastle snapped up Lee Bowyer.
Rangers won The SPL on goal difference from Celtic, Cardiff sealed a place in Division One through the play-offs and Wolves won promotion to The Premiership by beating Sheffield United in their play-off. Bournemouth won the Division Three play-off.
Falkirk were not allowed into The SPL despite winning the First Division, and Scotland were booed off after a 1-1 draw with New Zealand. Rangers won the Scottish Cup and sealed a domestic treble with a 1-0 win over Dundee. Manchester United were Premiership champions, Liverpool won the League Cup and Arsenal the FA Cup. The Gunners were second in the top flight, with Newcastle third. PSV Eindhoven clinched the Dutch Eredivisie title.
Portsmouth were First Division champions with Leicester going up in second place and Wolves courtesy of the play-offs. Grimsby, Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton all found themselves relegated to Division Two.
Wigan picked up the Division Two championship with Crewe in second and Cardiff winning promotion through the play-offs. Mansfield, Huddersfield, Cheltenham and Northampton were relegated.
Rushden & Diamonds won Division Three with Hartlepool and Wrexham claiming the automatic promotion spots and Bournemouth winning the play-offs. Shrewsbury and Exeter were relegated, with Yeovil and Doncaster entering The Football League.
United seal Premiership title | Portsmouth win Division One | Rangers take domestic treble
JUNE
Manchester United's David Beckham dominates the news in June, winning an OBE, and agreeing terms to join Real Madrid for around £25 million. The England captain also features in England's 2-1 victory over Serbia & Montenegro and causes a major embarrassment to new Barcelona president Joan Laporta who had suggested he would bring in the star as part of his pre-election promise.
The Confederations Cup and football as a whole was put in stark contrast when Marc Vivien Foe tragically died on the pitch in the semi-final between Cameroon and Colombia.
Tottenham sign Helder Postiga for £6.25 million from Porto, and David Seaman leaves Arsenal for Manchester City. Liverpool agree terms with Fulham over the £3.5 million transfer of Steve Finnan. Real Madrid take the Spanish championship, and take on Carlos Queiroz as their new boss after he is released from his contract as assistant boss at Manchester United.
Aston Villa fail in a bid to sign Paul Robinson from Leeds and Portsmouth snap up Teddy Sheringham. Celtic's Tom Boyd retires and Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger are honoured with OBEs. The FA confirm they will not be taking up their ticket allocation for the Macedonia game.
Matt Holland completes his £750,000 move from Ipswich to Charlton and Manchester City drew Welsh side Total Network Solutions in the Uefa Cup qualifier. England defeat Slovakia 2-1 in the Euro 2004 qualifier, with Michael Owen grabbing a brace. Ronaldinho makes it clear to PSG that he was not looking to stay on, Adrian Mutu hints he could leave Parma for the right offer and Barcelona confirm interest in Mark Viduka.
Beckham agrees Real move | Foe tragically dies | England beat Slovakia
