| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aaron Terence Downes[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-05-15)15 May 1985 (age 40) | ||
| Place of birth | Mackay, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003 | AIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003 | Hampton & Richmond | 1 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | Frickley Athletic | 4 | (0) |
| 2004–2012 | Chesterfield | 174 | (10) |
| 2012 | →Bristol Rovers (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2012–2015 | Torquay United | 109 | (15) |
| 2015–2018 | Cheltenham Town | 48 | (6) |
| Total | 344 | (31) | |
| International career | |||
| 2004 | Australia U20 | 11 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | Australia U23 | 8 | (4) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2018–2024 | Torquay United (assistant) | ||
| 2024 | Torquay United (interim) | ||
| 2024–2025 | Cheltenham Town (assistant) | ||
| 2025 | Cheltenham Town (caretaker) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Aaron Terence Downes (born 15 May 1985) is an Australian formersoccer player who played as adefender.
Born inMackay, Queensland and raised inMudgee,New South Wales, Downes was signed forChesterfield on 1 August 2004 by exChesterfield managerRoy MacFarland after having trials atBolton Wanderers and a short spell at non league outfitFrickley Athletic.[2][3] Before moving toEngland he was a player at theAustralian Institute of Sport.
At the end of the 2006–07 season following his side's relegation toFootball League Two not only did he sign an extension to his current contract atChesterfield but he also was made team captain ofChesterfield following the departure of ex captainMark Allott. Downes was at that time a valued member of the squad and as well as his defensive qualities he has an eye for goal, mainly from set pieces.
On 22 April 2009, Downes signed a new 2-year contract extension withChesterfield, despite the defender picking up a serious knee injury before the contract was signed.[4] He was released by the club at the end of the 2011–12 season having suffered further serious injuries during his tenure.[5]
In July 2012 Downes signed a one-year contract with Torquay United. Manager,Martin Ling said of Downes, "He needs someone to take a punt and that is the right word for a player who has suffered two cruciates". He enjoyed a successful season, striking up a strong defensive partnership withBrian Saah, culminating in him being voted the supporters' "Player of the season".[6] In June 2013, he signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Torquay United until 2015.[7]
On 11 May 2015, Gary Johnson made Downes his first signing atCheltenham Town. Although sidelined by a knee injury for a large part of 2016, he captained the side to theNational League title and continued to lead them in their first season back in theEnglish Football League.
Downes retired from football at the end of the2017–18 season.[8]
Over the years he has worked his way up at international level starting at the 2005FIFA World Youth Championship in theNetherlands. He was also called up by the Olyroos – theAustralia national under-23 football team.
On 13 December 2018, Downes was appointed assistant manager at former clubTorquay United.[9]
On 22 February 2024, following the departure ofGary Johnson, Downes was appointed interim manager of the National League South club.[10] On 14 May 2024, Downes' departure was confirmed having secured the club's safety in the sixth tier.[11]
In June 2024, Downes returned to former club Cheltenham Town as assistant manager.[12] In September 2025, following the sacking of managerMichael Flynn, Downes was appointed interim manager. He oversaw one match in charge, a 7–1 defeat toGrimsby Town, before departing the club upon the appointment ofSteve Cotterill on 30 September.[13]
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||||
| Torquay United (interim)[14] | 22 February 2024 | 14 May 2024 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 038.5 | ||
| Total | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 038.5 | ||||
