2002–03 Udinese Calcio season
Udinese Calcio bounced back from the hugely disappointing 2001–02 Serie A season, in which it only just managed to avoid relegation. Under new coach Luciano Spalletti, Udinese gathered strength, and was a constant feature on the top half of the league table. Even though the squad lacked the goalscoring punch, the defence led by Néstor Sensini and surprising goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis held it together to such a degree it finished sixth in the league. Also Czech signing Marek Jankulovski impressed, the Napoli signing switching form left-wing to left back, causing interest from several bigger clubs.


2002–03 Udinese Calcio season
In the offence, Udinese's most influential player was David Pizarro, who scored seven times from the midfield and grabbed the attention from Lazio, who tried to sign him and teammate Martin Jørgensen immediately after the season had finished. Undisclosed Lazio players refused moving to Udine as compensation for the transfers, and both stayed on, much to the relief of Spalletti.


2002–03 Udinese Calcio season, Serie A, Games
The match was abandoned due to Como fans rioting against a third penalty for Udinese in the match. Following previous misses by Vincenzo Iaquinta and Roberto Muzzi; David Pizarro was set to take the third one, but the riots ended the match prematurely. Udinese was handed the win 2–0, with Pinzi as the only goalscorer. Como was given a four-match suspension from playing at home.


2002–03 Uganda Super League
The 2002–03 Ugandan Super League was the 36th season of the official Ugandan football championship, the top-level football league of Uganda.


2002–03 Uganda Super League, Overview
The 2002–03 Uganda Super League was contested by 15 teams and was won by SC Villa, while Buikwe Red Stars, Mbarara United, Game Boys FC and Akol FC were relegated.


2002–03 Uganda Super League, Leading goalscorer
The top goalscorer in the 2002–03 season was Hassan Mubiru of Express FC with 16 goals.


2002–03 Ukrainian Cup
The Ukrainian Cup 2002–03 was the 12th annual edition of Ukraine's football knockout competition, known as the Ukrainian Cup. The winner of this competition was Dynamo Kyiv, beating rivals Shakhtar Donetsk in the final.


2002–03 Ukrainian Cup, Round and draw dates
All draws held at FFU headquarters (Building of Football) in Kiev unless stated otherwise.


2002–03 Ukrainian First League
The 2002–03 Ukrainian First League was the twelfth season of the Ukrainian First League which was won by Zirka Kirovohrad. The season started on July 6, 2002, and finished on June 21, 2003.


2002–03 Ukrainian First League, Promotion and relegation, Relegated teams
One club was relegated from the 2001-02 Ukrainian Top League:


2002–03 Ukrainian First League, Promotion and relegation, Teams
In 2002-03 season, the Ukrainian First League consists of the following teams:


2002–03 Ukrainian Hockey Championship
The 2002–03 Ukrainian Hockey League season was the 10th season of the Ukrainian Hockey League. Fourteen teams participated in the league, and HC Sokil Kyiv won the championship.


2002–03 Ukrainian Second League
The 2002–03 Ukrainian Second League was the 12th season of 3rd level professional football in Ukraine.


2002–03 Ukrainian Second League
The competitions were divided into three groups according to geographical location in the country – A is western Ukraine, B is southern Ukraine and Crimea, and C is eastern Ukraine.


2002–03 Ukrainian Second League
The groups were won respectively by FC LUKOR Kalush, FC Nafkom-Academia Irpin and FC Zorya Luhansk.


2002–03 Ukrainian Second League, Team changes, Promoted
The following team was promoted from the 2002 Ukrainian Football Amateur League:


2002–03 Umaglesi Liga
The 2002–03 Umaglesi Liga was the fourteenth season of top-tier football in Georgia. It began on 3 August 2002 and ended on 30 May 2003. Torpedo Kutaisi were the defending champions.


2002–03 United Counties League
The 2002–03 United Counties League season was the 96th in the history of the United Counties League, a football competition in England.


2002–03 United Counties League, Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 19 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with two new clubs, promoted from Division One:


2002–03 United Counties League, Division One
Division One featured 15 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with one new club:


2002–03 United States network television schedule
The following is the 2002–03 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 2002 through August 2003. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 2001–02 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as Monday Night Football.


2002–03 United States network television schedule
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.


2002–03 United States network television schedule
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary.


2002–03 United States network television schedule, Sunday
NOTE: Fox was to have aired Oliver Beene and The Grubbs on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively, but instead made last-minute changes by postponing Oliver Beene to the following spring and canceling The Grubbs. In their places, reruns of King of the Hill and Malcolm in the Middle were slotted.


2002–03 United States network television schedule, Tuesday
NOTE: Grounded for Life was also originally scheduled to run on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on Fox, but it was pulled after two new episodes in September, and one in early December. The show moved to The WB in the spring in 2003.


2002–03 United States network television schedule, Thursday
NOTE: Movies, baseball games, reruns, and specials comprised most of the programming Thursday nights on FOX. Septuplets was supposed to air at 9-10, but it was cancelled at the last minute.


2002–03 United States network television schedule, By network, The WB
Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.


2002–03 United States network television schedule (daytime)
The 2002–03 daytime network television schedule for the six major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States in operation during that television season covers the weekday daytime hours from September 2002 to August 2003. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2001–02 season.


2002–03 United States network television schedule (daytime)
Affiliates fill time periods not occupied by network programs with local or syndicated programming. PBS – which offers daytime programming through a children's program block, PBS Kids – is not included, as its member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Also not included are stations affiliated with Pax TV, as its schedule is composed mainly of syndicated reruns although it also carried some first-run programs.


2002–03 United States network television schedule (daytime), Schedule, Monday-Friday
ABC note: Port Charles aired its final episode on October 3, 2003. ABC returned the 12:30 pm timeslot to its affiliates on October 6. Some affiliates did not air the program at its intended timeslot during its last three months on the air.


2002–03 United States network television schedule (late night)
These are the late night schedules for the four United States broadcast networks that offer programming during this time period, from September 2002 to August 2003. All times are Eastern or Pacific. Affiliates will fill non-network schedule with local, syndicated, or paid programming. Affiliates also have the option to preempt or delay network programming at their discretion.


2002–03 Utah Jazz season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the Jazz's 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and 24th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the offseason, the Jazz signed free agents Matt Harpring, Calbert Cheaney and Mark Jackson. The team finished third in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record, and qualified for the playoffs for the twentieth straight season. However, the Jazz once again failed to make it out of the first round, losing to the Sacramento Kings in five games. This season also marked the end of the Stockton and Malone era.


2002–03 Utah Jazz season
John Stockton and Karl Malone were both given a long standing ovation after Game 4 at the Delta Center, and another one after Game 5 at the ARCO Arena. Following the season, Stockton retired ending his nineteen-year career while Malone signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. Also following the season, Cheaney signed with the Golden State Warriors and Jackson was released. The Jazz would not return to the playoffs until 2007.


2002–03 Valencia CF season
Valencia CF did not succeed in defending their La Liga title, finishing in slumped 5th place. Los Che also got to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League, where former coach Héctor Cúper and Inter got the upper hand over Valencia and Rafael Benítez. The main player during the season was Pablo Aimar, who was the only player making waves in the season, where the previously solid defense did not perform as previously.


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season
The 2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season was the Canucks' 33rd NHL season.


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season, Regular season
The Canucks led all teams in power-play goals scored, with 87. They also set a franchise record with a 10 game win streak in November 2002.


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season, Standings, Divisional standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season, Standings, Conference standings
Divisions: PA – Pacific, CE – Central, NW – Northwest


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season, Standings, Conference standings
Z –  Clinched Conference; Y –  Clinched Division; X –  Clinched Playoff spot


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season, Player statistics, Goaltenders
†Traded to Canucks mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only. ‡Traded to another team mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.


2002–03 Vancouver Canucks season, Draft picks
Below are the Vancouver Canucks' selections at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft which was held on June 22–23, 2002 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.


2002–03 Venezuelan Primera División season
The 2002–03 season of the Venezuelan Primera División, the top category of Venezuelan football, was played by 10 teams. The national champions were Caracas.


2002–03 Vermont Catamounts women's ice hockey season
The 2002-03 Vermont Catamounts season was their first season in the ECAC Division I. Led by head coach Dennis Miller, the Catamounts had 3 victories, compared to 25 defeats and 2 ties. Their conference record was 0 victories, 15 defeats and 1 tie.


2002–03 VfB Stuttgart season
VfB Stuttgart reached the UEFA Champions League for the first time in more than ten years, following a surprising runner-up position in Bundesliga. Coach Felix Magath was hailed as the man behind the success, in his second full season at the helm, managing to unite a squad with lesser-known players to form a side strong enough to overhaul reigning champions Borussia Dortmund for the automatic qualification spot. It was also the breakthrough season of exciting young talents such as Alexander Hleb, Timo Hildebrand and Kevin Kurányi.


2002–03 VfB Stuttgart season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 VfB Stuttgart season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 VfL Bochum season
The 2002–03 VfL Bochum season was the 65th season in club history.


2002–03 VfL Wolfsburg season
VfL Wolfsburg finished 8th in Bundesliga, qualifying for the UEFA Intertoto Cup. The club got into the spotlight signing Bayern Munich star Stefan Effenberg, who finished his career with a season in the Volkswagen-owned club. Elsewhere, Martin Petrov and Tomislav Marić had successful seasons, being pivotal in the European qualification.


2002–03 VfL Wolfsburg season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team
The 2002–03 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team represented the University of Virginia during the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was led by fifth-year head coach Pete Gillen, and played their home games at University Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.


2002–03 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team, Last season
The Cavaliers had a record of 17–12, with a conference record of 7–9. They competed in the first round of the 2002 National Invitation Tournament, where they lost at home in the first round to South Carolina.


2002–03 Vyshcha Liha
The 2002–03 Vyshcha Liha season was the 12th since its establishment. FC Shakhtar Donetsk were the defending champions.


2002–03 Vysshaya Liga season
The 2002–03 Vysshaya Liga season was the 11th season of the Vysshaya Liga, the second level of ice hockey in Russia. 27 teams participated in the league, and Torpedo Nizhny Novogorod and Khimik Voskresensk were promoted to the Russian Superleague.


2002–03 WCHL season
The 2002-03 West Coast Hockey League season was the eighth and last season of the West Coast Hockey League, a North American minor professional league. Six teams participated in the regular season, and the San Diego Gulls were the league champions.


2002–03 WHL season
The 2002–03 WHL season was the 37th season for the Western Hockey League. 19 teams completed a 72-game season. The Kelowna Rockets won the President's Cup.


2002–03 WHL season, Regular season, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes


2002–03 WHL season, Regular season, Goaltending leaders
Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average


2002–03 WHL season, All-Star game
On November 12, the WHL Eastern All-Stars defeated the QMJHL Lebel All-Stars 5–2 at Hull, Quebec with a crowd of 2194.


2002–03 WHL season, All-Star game
On November 19, the WHL Western All-Stars defeated the OHL Eastern All-Stars 7–3 at Vancouver, British Columbia before a crowd of 7,046.


2002–03 WHL season, All-Star game
The WHL won the Hershey Cup as champion of the round robin format all-star tournament.


2002–03 WNBL season
The 2002–03 WNBL season was the 23rd season of competition since its establishment in 1981. A total of 8 teams contested the league.


2002–03 Walsall F.C. season
During the 2002–03 English football season, Walsall competed in the Football League First Division. It was the club's second consecutive season at that level.


2002–03 Walsall F.C. season, Season summary
Walsall managed to avoid relegation to extend their stay in English football's second tier to a third season. Much of their success was down to the signing of key players, such as ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Vinny Samways, returning to English football after a six-year spell in Spain.


2002–03 Walsall F.C. season, Kit
Xara became Walsall's new kit manufacturers. Banks's remained the kit sponsors.


2002–03 Walsall F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Walsall F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Walsall F.C. season, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Washington Capitals season
The 2002–03 Washington Capitals season was the Washington Capitals 29th season in the National Hockey League (NHL).


2002–03 Washington Capitals season, Regular season
The Capitals tied the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils for the fewest short-handed goals allowed, with just four.


2002–03 Washington Capitals season, Regular season
On January 11, 2003, the Capitals defeated the Florida Panthers at home by a score of 12–2. Jaromir Jagr had seven points in the game (three goals, four assists). It was the first time that an NHL team had scored ten goals in a game since March 30, 2002, when the San Jose Sharks defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets at home by a score of 10–2. Furthermore, it was the first time that the Capitals had scored ten goals in a regular-season game since February 3, 1999, when they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning at home by a score of 10–1.


2002–03 Washington Capitals season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.


2002–03 Washington Capitals season, Regular season, Final standings
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast


2002–03 Washington Capitals season, Regular season, Final standings
P –  Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y –  Clinched Division; X –  Clinched Playoff spot


2002–03 Washington Capitals season, Draft picks
Washington's draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.


2002–03 Washington Huskies men's basketball team
The 2002–03 Washington Huskies men's basketball team represented the University of Washington for the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by first-year head coach Lorenzo Romar, the Huskies were members of the Pacific-10 Conference and played their home games on campus at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, Washington.


2002–03 Washington Huskies men's basketball team
The Huskies were 10–17 overall in the regular season and 5–13 in conference play, ninth in the standings. They did not qualify for the eight-team conference tournament; a road loss in the season finale to struggling UCLA dropped Washington to ninth. The year's notable victory was over Stanford in mid-January, the first win over the Cardinal in six years.


2002–03 Washington Huskies men's basketball team
Alumnus Romar was hired in April 2002; previously the head coach at Saint Louis, he led the Husky program for fifteen years.


2002–03 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team
The 2002–03 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team represented Washington State University for the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by third-year head coach Paul Graham, the Cougars were members of the Pacific-10 Conference and played their home games on campus at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Washington.


2002–03 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team
The Cougars were 7–20 overall in the regular season and 2–16 in conference play, last in the standings. The conference tournament included only the top eight teams from the standings.


2002–03 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team
Days after the season ended, Graham was fired; his successor was Dick Bennett, formerly the head coach at Wisconsin.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the Wizards' 42nd season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Wizards acquired All-Star guard Jerry Stackhouse from the Detroit Pistons and signed free agents Larry Hughes, Bryon Russell, and Charles Oakley. The Wizards got off to a 6–4 start to the season but then struggled losing six straight games afterwards. The team finished fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 37–45 record, which was the same as the previous season.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season
This marked the final season for All-Star guard Michael Jordan, who retired for the third and final time. He also made his final All-Star appearance in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta. Following the season, Russell signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, Tyronn Lue signed with the Orlando Magic, and Oakley was released.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
Jordan announced he would return for the 2002–03 season, and this time he was determined to be equipped with reinforcements, as he traded for All-Star Jerry Stackhouse and signed budding star Larry Hughes. Jordan even accepted a sixth-man role on the bench in order for his knee to survive the rigors of an 82-game season. Heading into the season, as he was still dealing with injuries, Jordan started the first 15 games coming off from the bench.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
However, a combination of numerous team injuries and uninspired play led to Jordan's return to the starting lineup, where he tried to rebound the franchise from its early-season struggles after a 6–9 start. The move led to mixed results, as several of Jordan's younger teammates complained about playing in Jordan's shadow and his unfair expectations of them.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
By the end of the season, the Wizards finished with a 37–45 record once again. At the age of 40, Jordan ended the season as the only Wizard to play in all 82 games, as he averaged 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 37.0 minutes per game. He also became the only 40 years old in NBA history to score over 40 points in a game, which he did several times during the season. In addition, Jordan became the oldest NBA player in NBA history to average at least 20 points at the age of 40.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
This was also the first season where Jordan was not the team's better scorer, as Stackhouse averaged 1.5 more point per game, but Jordan still led the team in steals at 1.5 per game while Christian Laettner led the team in rebounds at 6.6, Stackhouse in assists at 4.5, and Brendan Haywood in blocks at 1.5.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
After the season, Wizards' majority owner Abe Pollin fired Jordan as team president, much to the shock of teammates, associates, and the public. Jordan felt he was betrayed, thinking that he would get his ownership back after his playing days ended, but Pollin justified Jordan's dismissal by noting that Jordan had detrimental effects on the team, such as benching Larry Hughes for Tyronn Lue, making poor trades, and squandering the teams' first round pick at the 2001 NBA draft on high schooler Kwame Brown who never panned out.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
Without Jordan in the fold the following year, the Wizards were not expected to win, and they did not. Despite the signing of future All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas, which had been made possible by Jordan's previous cap-clearing maneuvers as a team executive, the team stumbled to a 25–57 record in the 2003–04 season.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Regular season
Jordan's stint with the Wizards was closely watched by both fans and the media. While the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in either of Jordan's two seasons as a player, the team was competitive and sold-out arenas around the league. The Wizards replaced Jordan's managerial role with general manager Ernie Grunfeld. Although the organization fielded a competitive team built around Arenas for several years, the team again stumbled into the lower echelon of the league in the years following Arenas' numerous off the court issues.


2002–03 Washington Wizards season, Player stats
Note: GP= Games played; MPG= Minutes per Game; STL= Steals; RPG = Rebounds per Game; APG. = Assists per Game; BLK = Blocks; PPG = Points per Game


2002–03 Watford F.C. season
The 2002–03 season marked Watford Football Club's third consecutive season in the Football League First Division, following relegation from the Premier League in the 1999–2000 season. The club was managed by its former reserve team manager Ray Lewington, following the dismissal of Gianluca Vialli at the end of 2001–02. The club finished 13th in the First Division, reached the semi-final of the FA Cup, and were eliminated in the first round of the League Cup. Watford were operating under severe financial constraints following the collapse of ITV Digital, and at the end of the season were forced to offload several first-team players, including Tommy Smith, Gifton Noel-Williams, Stephen Glass, and record signing Allan Nielsen.


2002–03 Watford F.C. season, Season review
Over the summer many of the Vialli's signings left the club. Lewington had few funds to strengthen the side. The extent of Watford's financial difficulties was exposed in the autumn, along with many League clubs, following the collapse of ITV Digital. The club was facing administration when the players and staff agreed a 12% wage deferral. Exacerbating the club's difficulties were the large payoffs they had had to make to Vialli and several players on terminating their contracts, and Vialli's decision to sue the club early in 2003. The club started the season well, however, despite the players having to agree to a pay-cut during October, and finished in mid-table. An unexpected run to the FA Cup semi-final, where Watford lost to Premiership Southampton, also generated vital cash.


2002–03 Watford F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Watford F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Watford F.C. season, Players, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Welsh Alliance League
The 2002–03 Welsh Alliance League is the 19th season of the Welsh Alliance League, which is in the third level of the Welsh football pyramid.


2002–03 Welsh Alliance League
The league consists of fifteen teams and concluded with Glantraeth as champions and promoted to the Cymru Alliance.


2002–03 Welsh Alliance League, Teams
Amlwch Town were champions in the previous season and were promoted to the Cymru Alliance. They were replaced by Denbigh Town who were relegated from the Cymru Alliance, Gwynedd League champions, Bodedern Athletic and Clwyd League champions, Sealand Leisure.


2002–03 Welsh Premier League
The 2002–03 Welsh Premier League was the 11th season of the Welsh Premier League since its establishment as the League of Wales in 1992. It began on 16 August 2002 and ended on 2 May 2003. The league was won for the third consecutive season by Barry Town, their seventh title.


2002–03 Wessex Football League
The 2002–03 Wessex Football League was the 17th season of the Wessex Football League. The league champions for the first time in their history were Eastleigh, who were promoted to the Southern League. There was no relegation this season.


2002–03 Wessex Football League
For sponsorship reasons, the league was known as the Jewson Wessex League.


2002–03 Wessex Football League, League table
The league consisted of one division of 22 clubs, reduced from 23 the previous season, after Fleet Town were promoted to the Southern League, Swanage Town & Herston were relegated and one new club joined:


2002–03 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season
The 2002–03 season was West Bromwich Albion's first season in the Premier League, and their first season in the top division of English football since 1985–86.


2002–03 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season, Season summary
West Brom finished the season in 19th position in the Premier League table, meaning that they were relegated back to the First Division. In other competitions, West Brom reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and the third round of the League Cup.


2002–03 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season, Season summary
Danny Dichio was the top scorer for Albion with 8 goals in all competitions, while his five league goals saw him finish as joint top league scorer along with Scott Dobie.


2002–03 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season, Players, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season, Players, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season
The 2002–03 season saw West Ham United relegated from the FA Premier League (known as the FA Barclaycard Premiership for sponsorship reasons) after a 10 year run in the top flight. West Ham were relegated to the First Division at the end of the season, finishing in 18th place.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season, Season summary
Following a successful debut campaign for new manager Glenn Roeder the previous year that saw them finish 7th in the Premiership - two places short of a club record 5th three seasons earlier - hopes were high for the young squad to expand on this and aim for an equal or higher finish in the 2002–03 season.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season, Season summary
Despite boasting several current or future England internationals, including David James, Trevor Sinclair, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Michael Carrick, a disastrous start to the season saw them win just three out of their first 24 matches, and the club found themselves bottom of the table at Christmas with just 16 points. Similarly poor results followed into the new year, as the club continued to struggle in the relegation battle and were knocked out of the FA Cup after a 6–0 defeat to Manchester United in January.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season, Season summary
Their poor form in all competitions was put into perspective on 21 April 2003, when manager Glenn Roeder collapsed after a 1–0 Premiership win against Middlesbrough; it was revealed he was suffering from a non-malignant brain tumour, which was later operated on successfully. Following this, club legend Sir Trevor Brooking was named as caretaker manager, and West Ham's luck began to turn with a series of good results towards the end of the season that saw them go into the final day with a chance of staying up.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season, Season summary
Tied with 17th place Bolton Wanderers but far behind on goal difference, they headed into the last game of the season against Birmingham City needing at least a 7 goal win to be sure of escaping relegation. However, a 2–2 draw with goals from Les Ferdinand and Paolo Di Canio saw the Hammers relegated after Bolton defeated Middlesbrough 2–1 at the Reebok Stadium, sending them down to England's second division for the first time since 1992.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 West Ham United F.C. season, Squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 West Midlands (Regional) League
The 2002–03 West Midlands (Regional) League season was the 103rd in the history of the West Midlands (Regional) League, an English association football competition for semi-professional and amateur teams based in the West Midlands county, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and southern Staffordshire.


2002–03 West Midlands (Regional) League, Premier Division
The Premier Division featured 21 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with one new club:


2002–03 Western Football League
The 2002–03 season was the 101st in the history of the Western Football League.


2002–03 Western Football League
The league champions for the first time in their history were Team Bath, who were promoted to the Southern League. The champions of Division One were Torrington.


2002–03 Western Football League, Final tables, Premier Division
The Premier Division was reduced from 20 to 18 clubs after Taunton Town were promoted to the Southern League, Bristol Manor Farm and Westbury United were relegated to the First Division, and Yeovil Town Reserves also left. Two clubs joined:


2002–03 Western Football League, Final tables, First Division
The First Division was reduced from 20 to 19 clubs after Frome Town and Bath City Reserves were promoted to the Premier Division, Warminster Town were relegated to the Wiltshire League, and two clubs joined:


2002–03 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball team
The 2002–03 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men's basketball team represented Western Kentucky University during the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Hilltoppers were led by head coach Dennis Felton and All Sun Belt Conference forward, David Boyden. They finished 1st in the SBC East Division and won the conference tournament and automatic bid to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Joining Boyden on the All SBC team was Mike Wells and Patrick Sparks, as well as SBC Freshman of the Year, Anthony Winchester. Boyden and Wells also made the SBC All-Tournament team and Sparks was tournament MVP.


2002–03 Wichita Thunder season
The 2002–03 Wichita Thunder season was the 11th season of the CHL franchise in Wichita, Kansas.


2002–03 Wigan Athletic F.C. season
During the 2002–03 English football season, Wigan Athletic F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division.


2002–03 Wigan Athletic F.C. season, Season summary
After considerable investment into the team, Wigan won promotion to the second tier of English football by winning the Second Division with 100 points, 14 clear of runners-up Crewe. It was their highest-ever finish in the Football League.


2002–03 Wigan Athletic F.C. season, Season summary
In the Carling Cup, Wigan reached the quarter finals with wins over Premiership sides West Bromwich Albion (3–1 at home, second round), Manchester City (1–0 at home, third round) and Fulham (2–1 at home, fourth round) before being knocked out by Blackburn Rovers after a 2–0 home loss.


2002–03 Wigan Athletic F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Wigan Athletic F.C. season, Squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 William & Mary Tribe men's basketball team
The 2002–03 William & Mary Tribe men's basketball team represented The College of William & Mary during the 2004–05 college basketball season. This was head coach Rick Boyages' third and final season at William & Mary. The Tribe competed in the Colonial Athletic Association and played their home games at Kaplan Arena. They finished the season 12–16, 7–11 in eighth place in CAA play and lost in the preliminary rounds of the 2003 CAA Men's Basketball Tournament to Hofstra. They did not participate in any post-season tournaments.


2002–03 Wimbledon F.C. season
During the 2002–03 English football season, Wimbledon competed in the Football League First Division. It was their third consecutive season at this level.


2002–03 Wimbledon F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Wimbledon F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team
The 2002–03 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team represented University of Wisconsin–Madison as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Bo Ryan, coaching his second season with the Badgers. The team played its home games at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin finished 24-8, 12-4 in Big Ten play to finish as outright regular season champions for the first time since 1947.


2002–03 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team
In the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago, top-seeded Wisconsin was upset by Ohio State. The Badgers received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the fifth seed in the Midwest Region, where they won twice in Spokane, then lost to No. 1 seed Kentucky by six points in the Sweet Sixteen at Minneapolis.


2002–03 Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey season
The 2002–03 Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team was the Badgers' 3rd season. Head coach Mark Johnson was in his first season as Badgers head coach.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season
The 2002–03 season was the 104th season of competitive league football in the history of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played the season in the second tier of the English football system, the Football League First Division.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season
The season was a huge success for the club as they were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs after finishing fifth in the table. It was their first and only success in the play-off system from, to date, six attempts. This ended a nineteen-year top flight absence for the club and a fourteen-year stay in the same division.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
In contrast to the heavy spending of the previous close season, Summer 2002 saw the club recruit four players on free transfers. Two of these incoming players were however high-profile deals, with former England captain Paul Ince signing alongside ex-Manchester United stalwart Denis Irwin, on one-year deals.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The season began strongly with an opening day draw at administration-hit Bradford City, followed by three successive victories that put the club at the top of the table. Their form soon dipped though, and the next seven games brought just one win. An upturn saw a 10-game unbeaten run return the team to the play-off positions, aided by the loan addition of striker Carlton Cole. The Christmas/New Year period though brought a return of just two points from a possible 15.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
With this drop in form, manager Dave Jones faced criticism from chairman Sir Jack Hayward at the turn of the year, publicly reminding him that he had promised to deliver automatic promotion. With the club lying 10th in the league, some 16 points from the top two, the FA Cup provided a welcome distraction as the team entered their best performance of the campaign to eliminate Premier League high flyers Newcastle United in a thrilling televised tie.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The following week brought a first league success in six games, with a narrow victory at neighbours Walsall further relieving the pressure on manager Jones. A 4–1 cup triumph against promotion chasers Leicester City preceded the team's highest away win of the campaign, where they defeated Sheffield Wednesday 4–0 to return to the play-off zone. However, their following away fixture brought the team crashing back to ground with a 1–4 loss at relegation strugglers Brighton.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
An unbeaten sequence yielded 14 points from 18 before a slender loss at runaway leaders Portsmouth. March also saw an exit from the FA Cup, losing 0–2 at Premier League Southampton in Wolves' first quarter final appearance for five years, before the club recorded their biggest win since 1988 as they thumped Gillingham 6–0.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
By April Wolves sat in sixth place, the final play-off berth, but with the East Anglian duo of Ipswich and Norwich just two points behind. Easter Monday brought the decisive round of games to clarify the play-off picture with Ipswich losing earlier in the day, meaning Wolves could confirm their play-off place if they won at Norwich. A 3–0 victory that evening ensured the club would participate in its fourth play-off campaign at this level.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
Wolves finished the season in fifth place after two successive draws, meaning they would play Reading in the play-offs. The first leg saw them at home, where they overturned a half time deficit to win the game 2–1 and take a lead into the second leg. A tense 1–0 success at the Madejski Stadium thanks to a goal from substitute Alex Rae sent them into the final for the first time, breaking a run of three successive losses in away legs.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
The final was staged at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff where Wolves met Sheffield United. The Blades had had a strong season, being positioned in the play-off zone almost throughout and reaching the semi finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup. Wolves won the game decisively with three first-half goals by Mark Kennedy, Nathan Blake and top goalscorer Kenny Miller bringing a 3–0 triumph, preserved by goalkeeper Matt Murray who saved a second half penalty from Michael Brown as part of a man of the match performance.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Season review
Promotion ended a 19-year absence from the top level of English football for the club and a fourteen-year stay in the same division. It also brought owner Sir Jack Hayward his dream of Premier League football at his 13th attempt. Three days later Hayward joined in a bus parade through Wolverhampton city centre to Molineux to celebrate the triumph. 0


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Pre season
Wolves' pre season saw them spend a week in Cascais, Portugal (15–22 July), training and playing two Portuguese sides. As had become common in recent years, only their final game was held at their Molineux home.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Pre season
A second string Wolves side also played:  v Kidderminster Harriers (24 July),  v Worcester City (1 August) and  v Burton Albion (6 August)


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Football League First Division
A total of 24 teams competed in the Football League First Division in the 2002–03 season. Each team played every other team twice: once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Three points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Results, Football League First Division
The provisional fixture list was released on 13 June 2002, but was subject to change in the event of matches being selected for television coverage or police concerns.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Players, Statistics
Key:  ‡ On loan from another club   * First appearance(s) for the club


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Players, Statistics
Correct as of the season's end. Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances in parentheses where applicable.


2002–03 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season, Kit
The season saw new home and away kits, manufactured by Admiral. The home strip reverted to a lighter gold colour after two years wearing a darker "old gold" style, while the away kit returned to the club's traditional all-white look. After twelve seasons sponsored by Goodyear, the club signed a two-year deal with Doritos.


2002–03 World Series of Women's Cricket
The World Series of Women's Cricket was a Women's One Day International series which took place in New Zealand in January and February 2003. The four teams competing were Australia, England, India and New Zealand. The tournament consisted of a double round-robin group stage, in which Australia and New Zealand finished as the top two, and then a third-place play-off and a final were contested to decide the final positions. Australia defeated New Zealand by 109 runs in the final. The three matches that took place between Australia and New Zealand at the tournament were also played for the Rose Bowl, which was won by Australia 3–0. Following the tour, England went on to tour Australia for The Women's Ashes.


2002–03 World Series of Women's Cricket, Points table
Note: P = Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, BP = Bonus Points, CP = Consolation Points, Pts = Points, NRR = Net run rate.


2002–03 Wrexham F.C. season
During the 2002–03 English football season, Wrexham competed in the Football League Third Division.


2002–03 Wrexham F.C. season, Season summary
Wrexham finished third in the Third Division and thus gained automatic promotion to the Second Division.


2002–03 Wrexham F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Wrexham F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2002–03 Wrexham F.C. season, League table
‡ - Boston United deducted four points due to financial irregularities


2002–03 Yemeni League
In the 2002–03 Yemeni League, Al-Sha'ab Ibb won the championship.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season
The 2002–03 season was the 107th year in non-League football and sixth season since their return to the Football Conference played by Yeovil Town Football Club, an English football club based in Yeovil, Somerset.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season
Yeovil began the season playing their home matches at The Avenue Stadium, home of Dorchester Town, while the Huish Park pitch was being relaid. Yeovil occupied top spot in the Conference from late September until the end of the season, eventually winning the title by a records points margin and earning promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's 108-year history.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season
The team reached the first round of the FA Cup but lost 2–0 at home to Second Division side Cheltenham Town. The team failed to defend their FA Trophy title being knocked out in the quarter-final after being beaten 2–0 by Northern Premier League side Burscough. Kirk Jackson was the club's top goalscorer after joining in November scored 20 goals, with 19 in the league and one in the FA Trophy.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Background
The 2001–02 season was manager Gary Johnson's first season in charge having succeed Colin Addison in June 2001,  and the team finished third in the Football Conference. Yeovil finished the season with major silverware after victory in the 2002 FA Trophy Final, staged at Villa Park. Francis Kumbur and first year professional Richard Parkisnon were released by Yeovil after the FA Trophy final while Andy Turner had his contract terminated by mutual consent. Steve Collis, Olivier Brassart, Chris Giles, Andy Lindegaard, Roy O'Brien and Faisal Mali all signed new contracts with the club.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Background
Yeovil made two signings over the close season midfielder Gavin Williams signed from Hereford United for a fee of £22,500, and Mali striker Abdoulaye Demba formerly of Oostende joined on a free transfer. While defender Stephen Reed entered the first team squad from the youth team after agreeing a professional contract.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
The squad returned for pre-season training on 1 July. The first day of pre-season saw the arrival of two new signings, Welsh attacking midfielder Gavin Williams and Mali forward Abdoulaye Demba. Yeovil started pre-season with a tour of Lavia, and on 5 July played Latvian Higher League champions Skonto with goal from Adam Stansfield and Adam Lockwood earning Yeovil a 2–2 draw. Yeovil's second match of their tour saw them beat FK Auda 1–0 courtesy of goal from Carl Alford, on 7 July. On 11 July, Yeovil concluded their pre-season tour with a 2–1 defeat FK Ventspils.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Yeovil returned to England with seven friendly victories against non-league sides, and 1–0 victories over Second Division side Bristol City and Third Division side Exeter City. Yeovil's pre-season preparation featured thirteen matches in all with ten victories, two draws and one defeat with Yeovil scoring 29 goals and conceding 8. Before Yeovil's first match of the season French midfielder Olivier Brassart left the club to join Scarborough, while goalkeeper Steve Collis departed on loan to Tiverton Town.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, August
Yeovil began their Conference season playing their home matches at The Avenue Stadium, home of Dorchester Town, due to the relaying of the Huish Park pitch. Yeovil's opening match saw them draw 2–2 against Gravesend & Northfleet, coming from two goals behind at half time with an injury time equaliser from Terry Skiverton. The game saw striker Adam Stansfield substituted through injury after only 16 minutes that was later confirmed to be a break of the tibia and fibula an injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, August
On 20 August, Yeovil's poor start to the season continued as they suffered a 2–1 defeat away against Barnet. On 22 August, Yeovil confirmed the signing of former striker Howard Forinton after his release from Torquay United, while young striker Chris Giles left on a one-month loan to Weymouth. Yeovil ended the month with three consecutive victories, with a 2–1 win against Morecambe, a 3–2 victory over Nuneaton Borough, and a 1–0 win away at Kettering Town.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
Yeovil started September by extending their winning run to five consecutive matches, with further victories 2–0 against Farnborough, and 2–1 versus Northwich Victoria. Two away draws followed against Stevenage Borough and Hereford United. On 20 September, Yeovil beat Halifax Town 3–0 despite having two men sent off after a mass brawl saw Abdoulaye Demba and Terry Skiverton both dismissed for violent conduct. On 22 September, Stockport County signed defender Anthony Tonkin for £50,000, a transfer that saw manager Gary Johnson hit out at the power of agents alleging that Tonkin's representative advised the player to refuse to play against Halifax.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
Yeovil marked their return to their newly relaid Huish Park pitch with an emphatic 4–0 victory over Woking. On 28 September, a 4–2 victory away at Leigh RMI saw Yeovil hit the top of the Conference table. The end of the month saw the club bring in French-born Moroccan left sided player Abdou El-Kholti as a replacement for the departed Tonkin.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
Yeovil began October, with a 6–0 victory over Southport with Malian striker Abdoulaye Demba scoring a first-half hat-trick. A 1–1 draw away at Burton Albion, was followed with a 5–0 away victory over Telford United. Despite dominating their next home match against Doncaster Rovers, on 19 October,  a "superb effort from 25 yards" from Gavin Williams was only enough for a 1–1 draw. On 23 October, the club faced Boston United in the first round of the Football League Trophy, after two injury time goals saw them lose 4–2  against the Third Division side.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
Yeovil traveled to Twerton Park to face local rivals Bath City, on 27 October, in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup but Yeovil were held to a 1–1 draw against their lower league rivals. The replay was played two days later, and two goals from Demba helped earn Yeovil a 3–1 victory and progress to the first round proper of the FA Cup. Yeovil's eight points from their four league matches saw manager Gary Johnson named Conference manager of the month for October.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
Yeovil started November with consecutive 2–2 draws away at Chester City, and at home against Dagenham & Redbridge. On 16 November, Yeovil were knocked out of the first round of the FA Cup by Second Division side Cheltenham Town, after losing 2–0. Yeovil progressed to the third round of the Somerset Premier Cup, on 19 November, with a 2–1 extra time victory over Mangotsfield United, with both goals from Abdoulaye Demba. A goal from Michael McIndoe was enough to earn a 1–0 victory over Southport.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
Before Yeovil's final match of November, the club released Howard Forinton after 4 goals in 17 matches. While the club signed former Torquay United defender Jimmy Aggrey on a month's contract, and paid Stevenage Borough £20,000 for the services of striker Kirk Jackson, who had scored twice against Yeovil earlier in the season. Jackson made his debut in Yeovil's 2–1 victory over Margate, on 30 November, as they maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Conference.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
Yeovil began December by suffering only their second defeat of the season, losing 2–1 away at Scarborough. On 11 December, forward Chris Giles joined fellow Conference side Gravesend & Northfleet on a three-month loan deal. Yeovil got back to winning ways with Kirk Jackson scoring his first goal for the club helped earn the club a 2–1 victory away at Northwich Victoria, and the followed it up with another Jackson goal against his former club helping Yeovil to a 2–1 win over Stevenage Borough.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
On Boxing Day, Yeovil traveled to struggling Forest Green Rovers and lost 2–1 as the Glovers suffered their third defeat of the season. Two days later, on 28 December, Yeovil were held to a goalless draw by Barnet. Before the match the club confirmed that striker Carl Alford has been released by the club.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
New Year's Day, saw Yeovil get revenge for their Boxing Day defeat with a 1–0 home victory against Forest Green Rovers. On 4 January, Yeovil travelled to Northfleet, and a fourth goal in six matches from Kirk Jackson and a hat-trick from Andy Lindegaard saw Yeovil record a 4–2 victory over Gravesend & Northfleet. Abdoulaye Demba left the club for on a free transfer after struggling to settle at Yeovil, he left the club having scored 8 goals in 21 matches. Yeovil began their defence of the FA Trophy with a trip to Hereford United.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
Goals from defender Colin Pluck and Adam Lockwood saw Yeovil win 2–1 and qualify for the fourth round. Yeovil extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points with a 2–0 victory over Morecambe, but ended January by dropping two points away at relegation threatened Nuneaton Borough in a 1–1 draw.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, February
Yeovil faced Morecambe at home in the FA Trophy fourth round and came out 2–1 victors after goals from Kirk Jackson and Terry Skiverton. Early February saw defender Tom White join Woking on a one-month loan deal, while the club signed former Bristol Rovers forward Kevin Gall and completed the loan signing of Jason Blunt from Scarborough with a view to a permanent move. New striker Kevin Gall scored on his debut as a substitute in a 4–0 home victory against Kettering Town, on 8 February.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, February
Blunt's loan spell at Yeovil was cut short after just one match after he was recalled by Scarborough after he was signed by Doncaster Rovers. After losing out with Blunt, manager Gary Johnson signed midfielder Neil Mustoe from Stevenage Borough on a free transfer until the end of the season. Yeovil extended their unbeaten league run to nine games with a 4–2 victory over Farnborough, on 9 February. Yeovil ended February with two cup victories, 2–0 over Odd Down in the Somerset Premier Cup, and a 2–1 victory against Northwich Victoria as Yeovil continued their defence of the FA Trophy.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
Yeovil began March, with a 4–0 thrashing of rivals Hereford United, and then a second half hat-trick from Kevin Gall saw Yeovil come from two goals down to beat Halifax Town 3–2. On 8 March, top scorer Kirk Jackson grabbed his 18th goal of the season, including seven for Stevenage, to earn 10-man Yeovil a 1–1 draw at Woking. Yeovil got back to winning ways and opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the Conference with a 3–1 victory against Leigh RMI, with Jackson grabbing a brace.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
Yeovil's hopes of a Conference and FA Trophy double, were ended on 15 March, after a 2–0 home defeat against Burscough in the sixth round ended their defence of the title. Yeovil bounced back from their FA Trophy defeat with a 2–1 victory over Margate with another brace from Kirk Jackson. On 28 March, Yeovil ended the month with a 1–0 home victory over Scarborough. After recording four wins and a draw from their five league matches in March, Johnson picked up his second manager of the month award of the season.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April
On 5 April, a 3–0 home win against Telford United took Yeovil to within one point of winning the Conference title. Before they could wrap it up they faced Clevedon Town in the semi-finals of the Somerset Premier Cup and a strong Yeovil side was to good for their lower league rivals winning 4–0. Yeovil's promotion was confirmed before kick-off against Doncaster Rovers, on 12 April, after Chester City's 2–2 draw with Woking.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April
The Glovers celebrated their title, and promotion to the Football League for the first time in their 108-year history, with an emphatic 4–0 rout of Doncaster at Belle Vue. Yeovil continued their form with a 6–1 win over Burton Albion, on 19 April, with Kevin Gall scoring four. Yeovil's penultimate match of the season saw them travel to face play-off qualifiers Dagenham & Redbridge, a sixth goal in three matches from Kevin Gall and a Kirk Jackson hat-trick saw Yeovil record an impressive 4–0 away win, and their seventh successive win in the Conference a club record at that level.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April
The match also saw the league debut of youth team player Stephen Reed. Yeovil completed their record breaking season against Chester City in front of 8,111 fans, the highest crowd in the Conference that season, and opened the scoring through Kevin Gall with their 100th goal in the Conference but a late equaliser forced them to settle for a 1–1 draw. After recording a further four wins and a draw from their five league matches in April, Johnson was awarded his third manager of the month award of the season, shared with Jim Harvey of Morecambe. Yeovil then faced Taunton Town, on 29 April 2003, in the final of the Somerset Premier Cup played at the home of Clevedon Town, but failed to add the cup to their Conference title losing 2–1.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
After a sluggish start to the season, Yeovil occupied top spot in the Conference from late September until the end of the season, before eventually winning the title by a record 17-point margin and earning promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's 108-year history. In the league the team were unbeaten at home winning 16 matches and drawing 5, compared to winning 12, drawing 6 and losing 3 away from home. The three defeats Yeovil suffered was the joint fewest of any team since the formation of the Conference.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
The club scored 100 league goals the most in the Conference and had a record goal difference of +63. The club also recorded the highest average attendance ever in the Conference of 4,741, despite starting the season playing at Dorchester. Michael McIndoe recorded the highest number of appearances during the season, appearing in 49 of Yeovil's 51 matches, excluding the Somerset Premier Cup. After joining in November, Kirk Jackson was the club's top goalscorer with 19 goals in the Conference and 20 goals for the club in all competitions, and finished as runner-up in the Conference golden boot.


2002–03 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
The end of the season saw manager Gary Johnson release four players, including Jimmy Aggrey, Kim Grant, Neil Mustoe, Jon Sheffield, while defender Tom White was invited back to pre-season training to prove his fitness. Seven players all signed new contracts at the end of the season including striker Kevin Gall, midfielder Abdou El-Kholti, defenders Roy O'Brien and Stephen Reed as well as forwards Adam Stansfield, Andy Lindegaard and Chris Giles. While Yeovil dominated the end of season Conference awards, Johnson walked away with manager of the year, winger Michael McIndoe winning the player of the year award and he was joined in the team of the year by goalkeeper Chris Weale, captain Terry Skiverton and Darren Way.


2002–03 Ystalyfera RFC season
The competitive standard of rugby within the fourth Division began to show itself during this season. Four wins in the first twelve games up to Christmas, followed by three wins in the next nine up to the end of March, left the ‘Fera in a precarious position. Difficulties were reflected in the Cup tournaments, early first round exits being the form. Nevertheless typically and with ‘dogged’ resistance and determination, the side earned three consecutive league victories astride an Easter tour win at Wakefield. 121 points were scored in these vital games, including 18 tries, and three sin bins in the process reflected the intensity and effort.


2002–03 Ystalyfera RFC season
The first match was the most notable being a 48-17 away ‘smothering’ of long time adversaries Tumble – scrum half Phillip Thomas scored two tries, centre Simon Donovan two tries, a try for prop Andrew Key, a try for flanker Stephen Munkley, a try and sin bin for hooker Arwel Williams and a drop goal with five conversions for outside half Damian James.


2002–03 Ystalyfera RFC season
This result was followed seven days later with a 22-6 home win over Mumbles, Donovan scored another two tries, a try for winger Ashley Carter, a try and conversion for D. James and another sin bin for Williams. The 17-10 home win over Kenfig Hill saw another try for Donovan, a try for Andrew Key, a conversion and drop goal for D. James and a conversion by Martyn Stoneman. This result guaranteed Division Four rugby for Ystalyfera next year. D. James scored 127 points this season, Donovan 8 tries.


2002–03 Ystalyfera RFC season
Captain for the fourth time was Kevin Williams. Neil Lynch was voted Players Player of the year and Ashley Carter voted favourite amongst the supporters for the second year running.


2002–03 in Argentine football, Torneo Clausura ("Closing" Tournament), Relegation, "Promoción" Playoff
Talleres de Córdoba wins 2-0 and stays in Argentine First Division. San Martín de Mendoza remains in Argentine Nacional B.


2002–03 in Argentine football, Torneo Clausura ("Closing" Tournament), Relegation, "Promoción" Playoff
Nueva Chicago wins 3-0 and stays in Argentine First Division. Argentinos Juniors remains in Argentine Nacional B.


2002–03 in Argentine football, National team
This section covers Argentina's matches from August 1, 2002, to July 31, 2003.


2002–03 in Belgian football
The 2002–03 season was the 100th competitive season in Belgian football.


2002–03 in Belgian football, National team
Belgium began their qualifying campaign for the 2004 UEFA European Championship.


2002–03 in Dutch football
The 2002–03 season in Dutch football was the 47th season in the Eredivisie, where PSV claimed the title and Utrecht won the Dutch National Cup after defeating Feyenoord in the final.


2002–03 in English football
The 2002–03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.


2002–03 in English football, England national team
Key: ECQ = 2004 European Championship qualifiers, F = Friendly; scores are written England first


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, FA Premier League
Manchester United, unbeaten in the league after 22 December, overhauled Arsenal during the final three months of the season to clinch their eighth Premiership title in 11 seasons, while the other two Champions League places went to Newcastle United and Chelsea.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, FA Premier League
Going into the UEFA Cup were Liverpool (who made an excellent start to the league, going unbeaten in their first three months before a sudden collapse) and Blackburn Rovers, along with FA Cup runners-up Southampton (who also achieved their best Premiership finish of 8th place) and Fair Play award winners Manchester City (who finished an impressive ninth on their Premiership comeback). Southampton had not played in European competitions for nearly 20 years, while Manchester City's last European campaign was a quarter of a century ago.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, FA Premier League
Everton finished seventh in their first full season under the management of David Moyes, the club's highest finish for seven years, in a campaign where the club was the centre of national media and public attention following the performances of 17-year-old striker Wayne Rooney, who became the youngest full England international after the season's end.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, FA Premier League
Compensation for Arsenal after their spectacular failure to retain the league title came in the form of retaining the FA Cup – the first side to do so for 21 years.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, FA Premier League
Leeds United's season was plagued by a loss of form and mounting debts, and having to sell several key players, as they slipped to 15th place – their lowest finish for 10 years and a stark contrast to the previous five campaigns, where they had never finished outside the top five. Manager Terry Venables was axed towards the end of March after eight months in charge, with Peter Reid taking over for the final weeks of the season to secure survival and earn himself a permanent contract. Aston Villa's 16th-place finish was their lowest for eight years, although their strong home form ensured their survival in the Premier League.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, FA Premier League
Sunderland's season started badly and got worse as they finished with a record Premiership low of 4 wins, 19 points and 21 goals, losing their final 15 league games in the process. The Wearside club went through three managers, with Peter Reid (one of the league's longest-serving managers) leaving in early October to be replaced by Howard Wilkinson, who lasted just five months before Mick McCarthy was appointed. They were joined by West Bromwich Albion, who attained just 26 points in their first top flight season for nearly 20 years and won just three times in the league after September. Last to go down were West Ham United, who went down with 42 points – the highest points tally of any club to be relegated from the Premiership under the 20-club format.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League First Division
Portsmouth won the Division One title by some distance, passing manager Harry Redknapp's old club, West Ham, on the way down and ending their own 15-year exile from the top flight. They were rarely outside the top two at any point of the season.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League First Division
Leicester City earned a somewhat controversial promotion, as administration and a Creditor's Voluntary Agreement wrote off much of their £30million debt. Partly as a result of this, the League would introduce a 10-point subtraction for any teams entering administration from the next season onwards. The play-offs were won by Wolves, returning to the top flight after nearly 20 years and finally allowing owner Sir Jack Hayward to see the return he wanted on his years of investment. Their opponents, Sheffield United, were semi-finalists in both domestic cups.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League First Division
Gillingham enjoyed their most successful season to date, finishing a club record eleventh place in the division, the highest in their history. Despite having some of the lowest attendances in senior football after the relocation to Milton Keynes was announced, Wimbledon managed a 10th-place finish in the league, but then went into administration – putting the future of the club under yet more doubt.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League First Division
Grimsby were relegated, after struggling in the division for five years on extremely limited resources. Both Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday suffered awful starts to the season (Brighton managing only a single win from their first sixteen matches), and despite good runs of form late in the season, neither were able to survive, although Brighton at least had the satisfaction of staying in the hunt for survival up to the last game.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Second Division
Wigan won their first-ever promotion beyond the Second Division. Crewe managed a promotion on the back of their famed youth policy while play-off winners Cardiff were another big-spending team that were able to earn promotion, beating QPR in the final.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Second Division
Tranmere Rovers had to settle for seventh place – not even enough for a playoff place – despite collecting 80 points, a tally which at times had been enough for some teams to win automatic promotion. Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town both achieved top half finishes a season after promotion.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Second Division
An ill-advised managerial change mid-season helped send Northampton down. Mansfield Town's first season out of the bottom division in over a decade ended as their previous spell had; with immediate relegation in a season awash with over 160 goals where they had no problems scoring goals but unfortunately leaked goals at an alarming rate. Huddersfield started badly, and a financial crisis later in the season helped condemn them to relegation, only three years after they looked Premiership-bound. Cheltenham came close to survival, but a defeat on the final day of the season saw them return to Division Three.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Third Division
Rushden & Diamonds continued their meteoric rise, winning the divisional title. They were helped in no small part by runners-up Hartlepool suffering a shocking late-season collapse, which cost them the title and manager Mike Newell his job. Wrexham took the last automatic promotion spot and bounced back from the previous season's relegation, as did play-off winners AFC Bournemouth, who beat Lincoln City in the final.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Third Division
Oxford United were promotion contenders a season after finishing fourth from bottom, but in the end just missed out on the playoffs. Despite almost going out of business, York City managed to finish 10th – their highest finish since relegation to Division Three in 1999.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Third Division
Hull City finished 13th under new manager Peter Taylor, who took over from Jan Molby just before the club completed its relocation from Boothferry Park to the new KC Stadium, which gave the club the highest crowds at this level, although the upturn in form was not enough to get them anywhere near the top of the table. Boston United managed a 15th-place finish in their first season as a league club, despite having four points deducted for financial irregularities.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Third Division
A shock FA Cup victory over Everton did little to help Shrewsbury, and they finished bottom of the League. Exeter City were bought out pre-season in a high-profile takeover spearheaded by Uri Geller; unfortunately, Geller's associates proceeded to asset-strip the club, and despite a late-season run of form, Exeter fell victim to the first-ever dual relegation from the League.


2002–03 in English football, League competitions, Football League Third Division
Yeovil Town, who had spent decades making the headlines by defeating league opposition in the FA Cup, finally reached the Football League as Conference champions. The first Conference playoffs were won by Doncaster Rovers, who returned to the league after a five-year exile with the financial backing of John Ryan, who now had a new all-seater stadium in the pipeline.


2002–03 in English football, Transfer deals, Summer transfer window
The summer transfer window ran from the end of the previous season until 31 August.


2002–03 in English football, Transfer deals, January transfer window
The mid-season transfer window ran from 1 to 31 January 2003.


2002–03 in English football, Retirements
11 August 2002: Tony Adams, 35, retires after spending his entire 19-year career at Arsenal, and was team Captain for 14 seasons.


2002–03 in English football, Retirements
11 May 2003: Peter Schmeichel, 39, retires from playing after spending 10 of the last 12 seasons in England, the final of which was spent at Manchester City, though he is best remembered for his eight-year spell at Manchester United during which he established himself as a world class goalkeeper.


2002–03 in English football, Events
Chelsea are fined £5,000 for the state of the pitch at Stamford Bridge for their Premier League match against Charlton Athletic on 11 January. Chelsea were going to relay their pitch immediately after the match and had removed the old grass surface, leaving only the sand base on which the new pitch would be laid. Chelsea did not inform Charlton of the poor state of the pitch prior to the game, which Chelsea won 4–1.


2002–03 in Portuguese football
In the 2002–03 season, José Mourinho's Porto won the Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal and the UEFA Cup.


2002–03 in Portuguese football, Winning roster
FC PORTO: Dmitri Alenichev, Bruno, Buszáky, Cândido Costa, Capucho, César Peixoto, Clayton, Costinha, Deco, Derlei, Elias, Hélder Postiga, Hugo Luz, Edgaras Jankauskas, Jorge Costa, Maniche, Marco Ferreira, Mário Silva, Nuno, Nuno Valente, Paulinho Santos, Pedro Emanuel, Reinaldo, Ricardo Carvalho, Ricardo Costa, Secretário, Tiago e Vítor Baía.


2002–03 in Portuguese football, Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
Held on 18 August, double-winners Sporting CP defeated cup runners-up Leixões 5-1 to complete a clean sweep of domestic honours for the calendar year of 2002.


2002–03 in Scottish football
The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.


2002–03 in Scottish football, League competitions, Scottish Premier League
The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and Hearts got the UEFA Europa League place. Motherwell finished bottom, but there was no relegation from the SPL as Falkirk did not meet SPL stadium criteria. Celtic's trophyless season was in spite of being favourites to clinch the title and reaching the UEFA Cup final, losing in extra time to F.C. Porto.


2002–03 in Scottish football, League competitions, Scottish Premier League
Note: There was no relegation from the Scottish Premier League.


2002–03 in Scottish football, League competitions, Scottish First Division
Note: There was no promotion from the Scottish First Division.


2002–03 in Venezuelan football
The following article presents a summary of the 2002–2003 football season in Venezuela.


2002–03 in Welsh football
This article lists major events during the 2002-03 season in Welsh football.


2002–03 in Welsh football, Welsh Cup
Barry Town beat Cwmbran Town in penalties in the Welsh Cup Final. The score after extra time was 2-2.


2002–03 in Welsh football, Welsh League Cup
Rhyl beat Bangor City 4–3 in penalties in the final of the Welsh League Cup. The score after extra time was 2-2.


2002–03 snooker season
The 2002–03 snooker season was a series of snooker tournaments played between 27 August 2002 and 22 May 2003. Due to a legal ban, this was the final season to have events sponsored by tobacco companies (apart from Embassy, who would continue to sponsor the World Championship for another two years). The following table outlines the results for the ranking events and the invitational events. Mark Williams remains the last player to have won all three triple crown events in the same season (UK Championships, Masters, World Championships).


2002–03 snooker season, Official rankings
The top 16 of the world rankings, these players automatically played in the final rounds of the world ranking events and were invited for the Masters.


2002–2003 Chinese protest movement
The 2002–2003 Chinese protest movement was General strikes, Occupations, Strike actions, Riots, Wildcat strikes and Picketing in China’s poorer areas against the division between rich and poor, Unemployment, Poverty, Poor living standards and Inequality. Mass protests began as early as January–February 2002, when a tide of protests swept Changping and Tibet. People from all ages, cultures, areas nationwide all came out onto the streets, protesting the government's closures of Factories, Corruption, Low wages and unemployment among young and old people and many more deep issues. Labour protests swept Sichuan, Tibet, Shenyang and Tianjin.


2002–2003 Chinese protest movement
The demonstrators were protesting the government crackdown on protests in Liaoyang in 2002, when 30,000 protesters took to the streets protesting the closure of a brick factory for 3 months; it was the biggest labour uprising since 1976. Protesters tactics was nonviolent boycotts, Civil disobedience and Marches while police's tactics was Tear gas, Detain and Live ammunition. In Sichuan in 2004, mass protests against the treatment of workers and civilians in slums occurred by 25,000 Retirees and Students. 1 was killed in a crackdown on public protests in October 2004 there. In the early months of 2003, labour unrest and Wildcat strikes rocked Shenyang by workers in Sit-ins against unemployment and Poverty. Police would fire on demonstrators, arrest and make protesters Detainees. The protests led to the deaths of 1 demonstrator.


2002–2003 Hawaii's 2nd congressional district special elections
There were two United States House of Representatives special elections in Hawaii's 2nd congressional district within 35 days of each other to select the successor to Democrat Patsy Mink who had died from pneumonia. The elections, held November 30, 2002, and January 4, 2003, were officially nonpartisan and each held as general elections without primaries to pick a successor for the remainder of her term in the 107th Congress and for the next term in the 108th Congress, to which Mink was posthumously re-elected. Both elections were won by Democrat Ed Case.


2002–2003 Hawaii's 2nd congressional district special elections, Background
On August 30, 2002, Mink was hospitalized in Honolulu's Straub Clinic and Hospital with complications from chickenpox. Her condition steadily worsened, and on September 28, 2002, Mink died in Honolulu of viral pneumonia. The week prior to her untimely death, she had won renomination. By this point, it was too late to remove her name from the general election ballot. On November 5, 2002, Mink was posthumously re-elected over state Representative Bob McDermott (R). As a result, this triggered two separate special elections: the first to fill the vacancy during the end of the 107th Congress and the second for the new term beginning on January 3, 2003. In accordance with Hawaiian law the elections were single nonpartisan races without primaries.


2002–2003 Hawaii's 2nd congressional district special elections, Election to the 107th Congress (November 30, 2002)
The two most notable candidates to compete in the first election were then-state representative and former state House Majority Leader Ed Case and John Mink, the former husband of the late Congresswoman. Despite the latter's connections to the district's prior representative, Case would win the election with fifty-one percent of the vote.


2002–2003 Hawaii's 2nd congressional district special elections, Election to the 108th Congress (January 4, 2003)
The now-freshman incumbent Case immediately ran for reelection in the early January 2003 race for the second district seat in the 108th Congress, going up against more than three dozen other candidates. Other Democrats included state Senators Matt Matsunaga and Colleen Hanabusa. Republicans included state Representatives Barbara Marumoto and Bob C. McDermott, and former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi. Case won this election with 43 percent of the vote.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department
The 2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department was a military conflict between the government of the Republic of the Congo and the rebel Ninja militia which lasted from 2002 to 2003. It began in March 2002, when clashes between Ninja militias and the government drove thousands of civilians from their homes. On 12 March 2003, it was reported by the European Commission that the conflict had left 200,000 people "vulnerable and displaced". The conflict ended on 17 March 2003, when the government and the rebels signed a ceasefire.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Background
The Ninja militias and other militias had been demobilizing and reintegrating for while after the Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–1999) ended. In 19 July, 2001, a new program called the Haut Commissariat pour le Demobilisiation et Reinsertion des exCombatant (HC, hereafter) was set up to reintegrate approximately 9,000 ex-combatants from three militias including the Ninjas. To help in the effort the HC, the HC started negotiations with the Ninja to help increase disarmament and reintegration efforts in the Pool district.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Background
Thing went smoothly until 21 March 2002 when Ninja leader Frederic Bitsangou terminated negotiations between the HC and Ninja during a press with the High Commissioner of the HC Minster Ngakala. This termination could have been anywhere from a tantamount to a declaration of war, but the Republic of the Congo still increased its military pressure against the Pool region.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Timeline
Fighting first started in Pool in late March when Ninja militiamen attacked several government military positions in Pool. The Ninjas claimed the attack was provoked when they discovered government plans to arrest their leader, Frederic Bitsangou.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Timeline
After the alleged attack by the Ninjas on a train on 2 April 2002, the government started to reduce access of humanitarian agencies to the region and increased armed clashes in the area leading to an unknown number of deaths and the internal displacement being increased by 75,000. Due to military bombardments during this time the UNDP was unable to support the reintegration of ex-combatants which was originally requested by the government.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Timeline
On 14 June, a battle in an airport in Brazzaville resulted in 100 people being killed.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Timeline
By December 2002 the government started doing a thing called "humanitarian corridors" where they would allow Ninja militiamen to leave the Pool district and reintegrate. And between June to December 2002 the Brazzaville Military Hospital reported 262 wounded in-patients. Of which there were 121 civilian, and 141 military wounded patients.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Timeline
On 17 March 2003, the government and the Ninjas signed a ceasefire, ending the conflict.


2002–2003 conflict in the Pool Department, Human rights violations
According to a witnesses, government forces had launched helicopter attacks on inhabited villages in the Pool region, killing and wounding "an unknown number of civilians" with indiscriminate rocket and machine-gun fire. She also said that uniformed men were raping women and young men were being abducted from IDP camps. There were also lots of destruction of houses in property in Pool.


2002–2004 European Nations Cup Second Division
The 2002–2004 European Nations Cup was the fourth edition of the newly reformed European Championship for tier 2 & 3 Rugby Union Nations. This was the second two-year cycled championship, the first to be planned from the start.


2002–2004 European Nations Cup Second Division
For the second division. the team was divided in two Pool . The winner of Pool "A" gain the promotion to 2004–2006 European Nations Cup First Division. There were no relegation, due the 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification


2002–2004 European Nations Cup Second Division, Pool A
The highest level was the Pool "A", with five teams:


2002–2004 European Nations Cup Second Division, Pool B
The lowest Level was the Pool "B", with five teams:


2002–2004 SARS outbreak
The 2002–2004 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), infected over 8,000 people from 29 different countries and territories, and resulted in at least 774 deaths worldwide.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak
The outbreak was first identified in Foshan, Guangdong, China, in November 2002. The World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of the outbreak in February 2003, and issued a global alert in March 2003. The major part of the outbreak lasted about 8 months, and the World Health Organization declared SARS contained on 5 July 2003. However, several SARS cases were reported until May 2004.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak
In December 2019, SARS-CoV-2, a new strain of coronavirus closely related to the one that caused SARS, was discovered in Wuhan, Hubei, China. This new strain causes COVID-19, a disease which has spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic that has killed millions.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, November 2002
On 16 November 2002, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began in China's Guangdong province, bordering Hong Kong. The first case of infection was traced to Foshan. This first outbreak affected people in the food industry, such as farmers, market vendors, and chefs. The outbreak spread to healthcare workers after people sought medical treatment for the disease. The People's Republic of China notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about this outbreak on 10 February 2003, reporting 305 cases including 105 health-care workers and five deaths. Later it reported that the outbreak in Guangdong had peaked in mid-February 2003. However, this appears to have been false because subsequently 806 cases of infection and 34 deaths were reported. Italian physician Carlo Urbani was the first to identify SARS as probably a new and dangerously contagious viral disease.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, November 2002
Early in the epidemic, the Chinese government discouraged its press from reporting on SARS, delayed reporting to WHO, and initially did not provide information to Chinese outside Guangdong province, where the disease is believed to have originated. Also, a WHO team that travelled to Beijing was not allowed to visit Guangdong province for several weeks. This resulted in international criticism, which seems to have led to a change in government policy in early April.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, January 2003
The first super-spreader, Zhou Zuofen, a fishmonger, checked in to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital in Guangzhou on 31 January, where he infected 30 nurses and doctors. The virus soon spread to nearby hospitals.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, February 2003, Hong Kong
In February 2003, Hong Kong's SARS index patient was Liu Jianlun, who had come to attend a family wedding gathering; Liu was on the staff at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital in Guangzhou and had treated SARS patients.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, February 2003, Hong Kong
On 21 February, Liu and his wife checked into room 911 on the ninth floor of the Metropole Hotel. Despite feeling ill he visited with his family and they traveled around Hong Kong. By the morning of 22 February, he knew he was very sick and walked to nearby Kwong Wah Hospital to seek treatment. He warned staff that he was very sick and to put him in isolation. He never recovered and died in the intensive care unit on 4 March.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, February 2003, Hong Kong
Liu is believed to have been a SARS super-spreader: 23 other Metropole guests developed SARS, including seven from the ninth floor. Liu's brother-in-law, who sought treatment in late February, was hospitalized in Kwong Wah Hospital on 1 March and died on 19 March. It is estimated that around 80% of the Hong Kong cases were due to Liu.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, February 2003, Vietnam
The virus was carried to Hanoi, Vietnam, by Chinese-American Johnny Chen, a resident of Shanghai who had roomed across the hall from Liu at the Metropole. He was admitted to the French Hospital of Hanoi on 26 February, where he infected at least 38 members of the staff. Even though he was evacuated to Hong Kong, he died on 13 March. Carlo Urbani, a World Health Organization (WHO) infectious disease specialist, was among the staff who examined Chen. Urbani observed that other hospital staff were already falling ill and realized that he was dealing with a new and dangerous disease. He himself became infected and died on 29 March.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, February 2003, Canada
On 23 February, an elderly woman named Kwan Sui-Chu who had also been a Metropole Hotel guest, returned to Toronto, Canada, from Hong Kong. She died at home on 5 March, after infecting her son Tse Chi Kwai, who subsequently spread the disease to Scarborough Grace Hospital and died on 13 March.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Singapore
On 1 March, 26-year-old Esther Mok, another Metropole guest, was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital after visiting Hong Kong, starting the outbreak in Singapore. Although she recovered, various family members did not.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Taiwan
The first cases of atypical pneumonia in Taiwan were identified in a Guangdong-based businessman and his wife on 14 March and confirmed on 17 March. He had returned to Taiwan via Hong Kong on 23 February and reported a fever two days later. His wife became ill after caring for him, and both were admitted to National Taiwan University Hospital. Taiwan's third case of the disease was identified in a Yilan hospital on 15 March. Like the first case, the third case had traveled to Guangdong and transited through Hong Kong before arriving in Taiwan.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Taiwan
Shortly after the third case was diagnosed, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States traveled to Taiwan to study the disease. The fourth case, another traveler to Guangdong, was identified in Chiayi on 18 March, after he sought treatment at a hospital the previous day. By 22 March, six cases in Taiwan had matched the World Health Organization definition of probable.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 4 March, a 27-year-old man, who had visited a guest on the Metropole's 9th floor 11 days earlier, was admitted to Hong Kong's Prince of Wales Hospital. At least 99 hospital workers (including 17 medical students) were infected while treating him.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 11 March, Carlo Urbani travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, to attend a medical conference. He fell ill during the flight and told a friend waiting at Bangkok not to touch him, to call an ambulance and take him to a hospital. He was isolated in an intensive care unit. A similar outbreak of a mysterious respiratory infection was reported among Hong Kong healthcare workers.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 12 March, WHO issued a global alert about a new infectious disease of unknown origin in both Vietnam and Hong Kong. On 15 March, WHO issued a heightened global health alert about a mysterious pneumonia with a case definition of SARS after cases in Singapore and Canada were also identified. The alert included a rare emergency travel advisory to international travelers, healthcare professionals, and health authorities. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a travel advisory stating that persons considering travel to the affected areas in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, and China) should not go.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 17 March, an international network of 11 laboratories was established to determine the cause of SARS and develop potential treatments. The CDC held its first briefing on SARS and said that 14 suspected SARS cases were being investigated in the US. On 20 March, WHO reported that several hospitals in Vietnam and Hong Kong were operating with half the usual staff because many workers stayed home out of fear of getting infected. WHO raised the concern that substandard care of the infected patients might contribute to the spread of the disease.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 25 March, Hong Kong authorities stated that nine tourists had contracted the disease from a mainland Chinese man who had boarded the same plane on 15 March, Air China Flight 112 to Beijing. The Singapore Government started to enforce compulsory quarantine of any infected person.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 27 March, Arthur K. C. Li, head of the Hong Kong Education and Manpower Bureau, announced cancellation of all classes in educational institutions. The Ministry of Education in Singapore announced that all primary schools, secondary schools, and junior colleges were to be shut until 6 April 2003. Polytechnics and universities were not affected. On 29 March, Urbani died in Bangkok of a heart attack.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
On 30 March, Hong Kong authorities quarantined estate E of the Amoy Gardens housing estate due to a massive (200+ cases) outbreak in the building. The balcony was completely closed and guarded by the police. The residents of the building were later transferred to the quarantined Lei Yue Mun Holiday Camp and Lady MacLehose Holiday Village on 1 April because the building was deemed a health hazard.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, March 2003, Hong Kong
Most of the cases were linked to apartments with a north-western orientation which shared the same sewage pipe. According to government officials, the virus was brought into the estate by an infected kidney patient (the type of kidney illness was not specified) after discharge from Prince of Wales Hospital, who visited his elder brother living on the seventh floor. Through excretion, the virus spread through drainage. One theory speculated that the virus was spread by airborne transmission, through dried up U-shaped P-traps in the drainage system which a maritime breeze blew into the estate's balconies and stairwell ventilation. It was confirmed that the virus spread via droplets, but this later outbreak made officials question the possibility that the virus could be spread through the air.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, April 2003
On 1 April, the U.S. government called back non-essential personnel in their consulate office in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The US government also advised US citizens not to travel to the region.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, April 2003
On 2 April, Chinese medical officials began reporting the status of the SARS outbreak. China's southern Guangdong province reported 361 new infections and 9 new deaths, increasing the total Mainland China figures previously reported at end-February. The virus was also detected in Beijing and Shanghai. The WHO also advised travellers to avoid Hong Kong and Guangdong during a press briefing.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, April 2003
On 3 April, a WHO team of international scientists landed in Guangzhou from Beijing to discuss with officials, but the team was yet to inspect any suspected origin or any medical facilities on the progress of infection control. Fifteen of the quarantined Amoy Gardens residents at Lei Yue Mun Holiday Camp were relocated to the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre after an overnight protest on washroom sharing. The first medical worker infected with SARS died in Hong Kong. The doctor's daughter and infected wife survived his illness, even though the wife was also among the quarantined medical workers under intensive care. Hong Kong school closures were extended by two weeks to 21 April.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, April 2003
On 4 April, the WHO team inspected the first infection case in Foshan County. The male infected four people but did not infect his family. A 40-year-old woman became the first local case in Shanghai. A Chinese health specialist admitted at a press conference of not informing the public early enough about the outbreak. The PRC Health Minister also claimed that the disease has been under control in most parts of mainland China. He also released the names of seven drugs which he claimed to be effective in curing SARS. WHO officials said that the information provided by the PRC about the disease has been "very detailed". US government enforced compulsory quarantine of an infected person.


2002–2004 SARS outbreak, Timeline, April 2003
On 5 April, the Singapore government announced that school closures would be extended. Junior colleges were to reopen on 9 April, secondary schools would reopen on 14 April and primary schools and pre-schools would reopen on 16 April. On 6 April, a SARS case was found in Manila, a person who had returned from Hong Kong.