The 2003-04 campaign delivered an historic, drought-ending triumph for Middlesbrough as The Boro won their first major silverware in their 128-year history, lifting the League Cup. The final saw Steve McClaren's side defeat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 with early goals from Joseph-Désiré Job and a Boudewijn Zenden penalty in Cardiff. While the Premier League season was inconsistent, ending in an 11th-place finish, this landmark cup victory defined a glorious new chapter for the club and secured European qualification.