The 2003-04 campaign was a difficult and ultimately heartbreaking one for Notts County as The Magpies finished a devastating 23rd in the Second Division, which resulted in relegation to the bottom tier. Leading the charge with a spectacular individual effort was striker Paul Heffernan, whose remarkable 20 goals proved decisive in keeping the team fighting during a season marked by turmoil and an inability to convert his efforts into consistent results. It was a dark and stressful year for the Meadow Lane faithful that remains an uncomfortable but defining chapter in the club's history.