The addicks were looking for a slight improvement on their previous campaign and they achieved what they had went in search of, they were outstanding in the league with account of the good players they had at their disposal as they finished the season off in a respectable 12th position. They could not progress far in the FA Cup, stumbling out of the competition, losing 3-0 against Fulham in a disappointing day for the addicks.
Scott Parker left the Charlton side during the 2003-04 season for future English champions, Chelsea, however this certainly did not affect Charlton’s finest league performance in 52 years. The addicks were outstanding in the league, finishing the season off in seventh place. Paul Konchesky was in inspirational form at the back for Charlton and Dean Kiely put on some outstanding displays in goal for Charlton. They faired much worse in the domestic cup competitions, crashing out of the third round of the FA cup losing against lower league opposition, Gillingham, by three goals to two.
Claus Jensen left the Charlton team towards the end of 2004 for Fulham in a £1.5 million move. The addicks enjoyed a really good premiership campaign as they finished the season off in a very respectable 11th place. The addicks met Leicester City in the last sixteen of the FA Cup, however they suffered heartbreak as they lost the tie 2-1.
The start of the 2005-06 season saw the arrival of prolific striker Darren Bent form Ipswich and he and Charlton enjoyed a great start to the campaign as they were in the top five at the end of September, with Bent scoring seven goals in his first eight matches. The addicks performances gradually declined as the campaign wore on and they managed a respectable 13th place finish. Their manager, Alan Curbishley left the managerial post at the end of the season after 15 years in the job. The man to replace him was Ian Dowie, originally managing Crystal Palace. Luke Young was outstanding for the addicks at the back; his great performances earned him few starts for the England national side during the campaign.