The 2003-04 campaign was an ambitious but ultimately frustrating one for Colchester United as The U's secured an 11th-place finish in the Second Division. This mid-table position masked a season of thrilling cup exploits, as the team reached the FA Cup fifth round (losing narrowly to Sheffield United) and were agonizingly eliminated from the Football League Trophy Southern Section Final by rivals Southend United, narrowly missing a trip to the Millennium Stadium. Spearheading the league attack was the dynamic forward Wayne Andrews, whose 12 goals were crucial in a season built on the early momentum of new manager Phil Parkinson, before a late-season slump due to fixture congestion saw them fall short of the play-offs.