after impressing in 2003–2004 pre-season friendlies, harding spent the first half of the season on the substitutes' bench with seven appearances. soon after the appointment of manager mark mcghee, harding was selected to make his full debut against bournemouth on 21 february 2004 following the suspension of kerry mayo. the game ended in a 3–0 win for bournemouth. harding remained in the starting eleven for the reminder of the 2003–04 season and helped the club gain promotion to the championship after beating bristol city 1–0 in the play-off final in cardiff. harding finished the season making twenty-three appearances.