 Downing training withMiddlesbrough in 2016 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stewart Downing[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1984-07-22)22 July 1984 (age 41)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Middlesbrough, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Left-Winger,left-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2001 | Middlesbrough | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2009 | Middlesbrough | 181 | (17) |
| 2003 | →Sunderland (loan) | 7 | (3) |
| 2009–2011 | Aston Villa | 63 | (9) |
| 2011–2013 | Liverpool | 65 | (3) |
| 2013–2015 | West Ham United | 69 | (7) |
| 2015–2019 | Middlesbrough | 153 | (9) |
| 2019–2021 | Blackburn Rovers | 59 | (2) |
| Total | 597 | (50) | |
| International career | |||
| 2001 | England U16 | 2 | (0) |
| 2002 | England U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | England U19 | 7 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | England U21 | 8 | (0) |
| 2007 | England B | 1 | (2) |
| 2005–2014 | England | 35 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Stewart Downing (born 22 July 1984) is an English former professionalfootballer. He played most of his career as awinger orleft-back He is currently the assistant coach forLeeds United's U21 squad.[4]
Downing started his career at Middlesbrough, where after a loan atSunderland, he became a key part of the team, winning theLeague Cup in2004 and helping them to theUEFA Cup final two years later. In 2009, after Boro's relegation, he joinedAston Villa for an initial £10 million, then moved on toLiverpool for twice that amount two years later, again winning the League Cup in 2012. He played for two seasons atWest Ham United before returning to Middlesbrough, where he won promotion to thePremier League. In 2019, he was released by Middlesbrough after 404 total appearances, and signed forBlackburn Rovers.
A full international from 2005 to 2014, Downing earned 35 caps forEngland. He was included in the nation's squads that reached the quarter-finals at the2006 FIFA World Cup andUEFA Euro 2012. He announced his retirement in August 2021.
Downing was born inMiddlesbrough, Teesside, and was a graduate of theMiddlesbrough Academy.[2]
Downing signed his first professional contract on 6 September 2001.[2] His debut came on 24 April 2002 in aPremier League match away toIpswich Town, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 loss atPortman Road.[5] He was limited to just three appearances during the2001–02 season, plus a further three in the following2002–03 season.[6][7] His first senior goal came on 1 October 2002 in a 4–1League Cup second round away victory overBrentford, coming on as a substitute to conclude the scoring atGriffin Park.[8]
On 30 October 2003, Downing went on a one-month loan toSunderland, of theFirst Division.[9] He scored three goals in seven matches forMick McCarthy's Black Cats team, starting on 4 November when he equalised in a 3–1 win atGillingham, also assistingJohn Oster.[10]
Having scored as many goals on his loan as Middlesbrough's top scorerSzilárd Németh had recorded all season, Downing was recalled from his loan on 11 December due to injury toJuninho.[11] He was a regular for the remainder of the season, but was an unused substitute on 29 February 2004, when they won the2004 League Cup Final againstBolton Wanderers.[12]
The2004–05 season saw Downing make 49 appearances, scoring six goals, as well as providing numerous assists.[citation needed] In aUEFA Cup match againstLazio in November 2004, both Downing and Zenden were in the starting line-up.[13] Though Zenden scored both goals in the 2–0 victory, Downing drew praise for his performance down the left.[13] Such performances that season saw him called up toSven-Göran Eriksson'sEngland squad in February 2005 for a friendly against theNetherlands.[14]
A knee injury saw Downing sidelined for five months at the end of 2005,[15] though he returned to play his part in the run to the2006 UEFA Cup Final, including three assists in the 4–2 (4–3agg) victory overSteaua București in the semi-final second leg.[16] He started in the final as Middlesbrough were beaten 4–0 bySevilla at thePhilips Stadion.[17]
On 26 February 2008, Downing signed a new five-year contract, keeping him signed on at Middlesbrough until summer 2013.[18] With the departure ofMark Schwarzer in May 2008, Downing became Middlesbrough's second longest serving player afterBrad Jones.[citation needed]
The2008–09 season was a mixed one for Downing.[citation needed] Middlesbrough had their best start to the season in six years which saw them climb to 8th in the table, however, a terrible winless run which started in November 2008 saw them fall into the relegation zone.[citation needed] On 5 January 2009, he handed in a written transfer request expressing his desire to leave the club but the request was turned down on the same day.[19] In the penultimate match of the season, he sustained a foot injury after a challenge fromStiliyan Petrov in a home match againstAston Villa in May 2009, which needed an operation, ruling him out for at least four months.[20] After spending the whole of the second half of the season in the relegation zone, Middlesbrough were relegated on the final day after they lost 2–1 away atWest Ham United.[21] Downing, having started every league match, except the last match, ended the season with no league goals, having only scored two against West Ham United in theFA Cup.[22][23]
Following Middlesbrough's relegation, Downing signed a four-year contract with Aston Villa, becomingMartin O'Neill's first signing of the 2009 Summer transfer window for a fee of £10 million with an extra £2 million to be paid depending on appearances.[24] On 7 November 2009, O'Neill announced that Downing had returned to full training following his injury against Villa while playing for Middlesbrough during 2008–09.[citation needed] Downing made his Aston Villa debut on as a 69th-minute substitute forSteve Sidwell in the away match againstBurnley.[25] He scored his first goal for Villa in the League Cup fourth round tie againstPortsmouth atFratton Park on 1 December 2009.[26]
Downing's return to action saw him returning to his preferred left wing role, withJames Milner moving to central midfield for Villa.[citation needed] Downing played in Villa's first win atOld Trafford againstManchester United since 1983 on 12 December 2009 in their 1–0 victory over the Red Devils.[27] Downing then went on to score his first and second league goal for Villa in their 5–2 win against Burnley on 2 February 2010.[28] His second season with Aston Villa had been a much improved one,[citation needed] he scored the first Premier League goal of the season against West Ham United at Villa Park on 14 August in a 3–0 win.[29] In the final match of the season, Downing scored his eighth against Liverpool atVilla Park with the result ending 1–0; during the 2010–11 season, Downing made 44 appearances and scored eight goals in all competitions.[30] Downing was the subject of speculation over the summer, withLiverpool showing interest in the winger. On 6 July, Liverpool tabled a bid of £15 million for Downing but this was rejected by Villa, who said they would not let Downing go for less than £20m.[31]New Villa managerAlex McLeish then stated that Downing was not for sale and he would not be leaving Villa in the summer.[32] However, on 13 July 2011, a fee was agreed between Aston Villa and Liverpool for the transfer of Downing.[33]
Downing completed his move to Liverpool on 15 July 2011, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £20 million.[34] On 13 August 2011, Downing made his debut in Liverpool's first match of the2011–12 Premier League, in a 1–1 draw against Sunderland atAnfield, playing the full 90 minutes.[citation needed] On 20 August 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes againstArsenal in a 2–0 victory at theEmirates Stadium.[35] On 6 January 2012, Downing scored his first goal for Liverpool againstOldham Athletic at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup.[36] On 26 February he won theLeague Cup with Liverpool, scoring his penalty in the shoot-out and winning theAlan Hardaker Trophy as Man of the Match.[37] On 18 March 2012 he scored the winner in a 2–1 victory overStoke City in the FA Cup quarter-final, securing a secondWembley visit for Liverpool in the semi-finals in what was described as "his most telling Liverpool contribution" so far.[38]
Downing scored the winner in Liverpool's first match of2012–13, a left foot shot in aUEFA Europa League match againstGomel.[39] On 30 August 2012, Downing was deployed as aleft back againstHearts.[40] He scored the winning and only goal againstAnzhi Makhachkala at Anfield in theEuropa League. After the match, he was praised by managerBrendan Rodgers saying "It's been a tough time. He's had a rough ride but he's an important member of our team."[41] On 22 December, he made his first league assist and scored his first league goal in a 4–0 win againstFulham.[42] He scored his second league goal for the club on 2 March 2013, opening the scoring in a 4–0 win away toWigan Athletic, with a header from aPhilippe Coutinho cross.[43] In Liverpool's next match, Downing scored the equaliser againstTottenham Hotspur, in a 3–2 home victory for Liverpool.[44] This marked Downing's fifth goal in all competitions and his last goal for Liverpool.[45]
On 13 August 2013, Downing signed a four-year contract with West Ham United for an undisclosed fee which was reported to be in the region of £5m.[46][47] He made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute forMatt Jarvis in the 2–0 home win againstCardiff City atUpton Park on the opening day of the2013–14 season on 17 August 2013.[48]Downing scored his first goal for West Ham on 3 May 2014 in a 2–0 home win against Tottenham Hotspur.[49]
In the 2014–15 season, Downing scored his first goal of the season againstCrystal Palace in a 3–1 away win on 23 August 2014.[50] Downing continued his fine form for West Ham in a diamond formation which saw him being deployed in a central role.[51] On 1 November 2014, Downing scored for West Ham against Stoke City in a 2–2 away draw, with West Ham coming from two goals down to draw 2–2.[52] Downing scored his third goal of the season against Sunderland in a 1–1 draw away from home on 13 December 2014.[53] A week later, he scored againstLeicester City, curling a left-footed shot from 20 yards as West Ham won 2–0.[54]
On 16 July 2015, Downing returned to boyhood clubMiddlesbrough, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £5.5 million, potentially rising to £7 million if the club were to gain promotion to thePremier League.[55][56] The first match of his return was on 9 August 2015, a goalless draw away toPreston North End in the firstChampionship match of the season.[57] On 12 September 2015, he netted the first goal of his second spell, to open a 2–0 win overMilton Keynes Dons at the Riverside.[58] Middlesbrough secured promotion on the final day of the season, after a 1–1 draw with promotion rivalsBrighton & Hove Albion at home, gaining automatic promotion as runners-up.[59]
Downing faced competition ahead of the club'sfirst season return in the top flight with the signings ofGastón Ramírez,[60]Viktor Fischer andAdama Traoré.[61][62] In January 2017, Middlesbrough announced that they would allow Downing to leave on loan during that winter transfer window, as Downing had not been a regular starter throughout the league campaign.[63] Despite interest fromCrystal Palace, no move materialised and Downing remained at the club.[64] Downing suffered a second relegation with Middlesbrough, when they were relegated down to the Championship.[65]
After relegation, Downing was informed by new managerGarry Monk that he could leave the club.[66]Birmingham City managerHarry Redknapp offered Downing a two-year contract,[67] with Redknapp stating that he is a "keen admirer" of the player.[68] The transfer fell through, though Downing soon regained his place at Middlesbrough afterTony Pulis replaced Monk in December.[69] Downing was one of four players released by Middlesbrough at the end of the2018–19 season, having totalled 404 appearances in his two spells at the club.[70]
Downing signed forChampionship clubBlackburn Rovers on 21 June 2019 on a one-year contract.[71] He scored his first goal for Blackburn in anEFL Cup second round tie againstOldham Athletic on 13 August, a 3–2 home win.[72] Despite being an ever-present throughout the2019–20 season, Downing's departure from the club was announced on 24 June 2020 on the expiration of his contract.[73]
Despite his previous exit, Downing signed a new contract with Blackburn that November.[74] He once again left the club at the end of his existing contract, this confirmed days after the2020–21 season concluded.[75] After his departure was confirmed, Downing stated that he was pondering his future in football, though admitted that he would "probably" retire which he did in August 2021.[76][77]
Downing was first called up as a 19-year-old for the2003 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[citation needed] With sevenunder-21caps to his name, Downing made his England debut on 9 February 2005 in a home friendly, played at Villa Park against the Netherlands, replacingShaun Wright-Phillips in the second half.[78]
Downing's international career took a setback in May 2005 when he was injured during a training session with England on their tour of the United States, keeping him out of action until 2006.[citation needed] Downing was included in the EnglandWorld Cup squad in May 2006 by Sven-Göran Eriksson,[79] primarily as a back-up forJoe Cole, and came on as a second-half substitute in England's victorious opening match againstParaguay.[80] He was brought on once again in the match againstTrinidad and Tobago, when England scored two goals in the last ten minutes.[81]
On 16 August 2006, Downing made his first start for England, asGreece were beaten by 4–0, with Downing involved in three of the goals.[82] He started the subsequent three Euro 2008 qualifiers, againstAndorra andMacedonia.[citation needed] Downing hoped to have proven many of his critics wrong afterFabio Capello became the third successive England manager to give him an England cap, on 26 March 2008 in a 1–0 friendly defeat to France.[83] He was also called up (alongside Middlesbrough teammateDavid Wheater) for Capello's friendlies againstUnited States and Trinidad and Tobago, where he received the nod ahead ofAshley Young. His performance justified his selection by contributing with the first two goals and won praise from the press who had previously slated his inclusion in the squad.[84] A few months after Capello took charge of England, the Italian manager stated that he had been most impressed by Downing.[85][86] He was chosen again by Capello to replaceAaron Lennon for theUEFA Euro 2012 qualifier againstMontenegro on 12 October 2010.[87] During his second season with Aston Villa, Downing began to feature regularly for England under Capello.[citation needed]
After his transfer to Liverpool, he featured in the two qualifying matches at the start of the season, a 3–0 win againstBulgaria, and a 1–0 win againstWales in which he provided the assist for the only goal of the match scored by former Aston Villa teammate Ashley Young.[88] He also came on at half-time to replaceTheo Walcott in the 1–0 win againstSpain and started the following match againstSweden which England also won 1–0.[89][90] On 16 May 2012, new England managerRoy Hodgson named Downing in his 23-man squad for the upcomingUEFA Euro 2012 tournament.[91] He started in a 1–0 win away toNorway on 26 May, which was Hodgson's first match in charge of England.[92] Downing did not make an appearance during UEFA Euro 2012.[93] Having not appeared in a squad since 2012, in November 2014 Downing was called into the squad for England's matches againstSlovenia andScotland.[94]
Downing has been involved in several charitable and community projects outside his playing career. He supports the nationwide No Messin' campaign, along with freestyler Colin Nell and boxerAmir Khan, warning youngsters against playing on railway lines. Downing held a charity dinner with special guest boxerRicky Hatton to raise funds for theRoyal Victoria Infirmary inNewcastle upon Tyne in February 2008.[95] The hospital had cared for Vicky, Stewart's sister, who died ofleukaemia in 1993 at the age of 4. The honorary position of president ofMiddlesbrough Futsal Club was bestowed on Downing in December 2007. During his spare time Downing has DJ-ed at several nightclubs in Middlesbrough[96] while also playing sets in Ibiza among other places.[97]
Downing's formeragent Ian Elliott was arrested byCleveland Police in September 2008 after he was reported to the police by the player himself after he had concerns "regarding the way his and his company's affairs [had] been handled". He told Middlesbrough about his concerns some time earlier and the club advised him to involve lawyers and accountants to investigate, whileThe Football Association acted as liaison between the police and the club.[98]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Middlesbrough | 2001–02[99] | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | |
| 2002–03[100] | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2003–04[101] | Premier League | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05[102] | Premier League | 35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9[a] | 1 | 48 | 6 | |
| 2005–06[103] | Premier League | 12 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9[a] | 0 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2006–07[104] | Premier League | 34 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 42 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08[105] | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 45 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09[106] | Premier League | 37 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 43 | 2 | ||
| Total | 181 | 17 | 27 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 234 | 22 | ||
| Sunderland (loan) | 2003–04[101] | First Division | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | |||
| Aston Villa | 2009–10[107] | Premier League | 25 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 3 |
| 2010–11[30] | Premier League | 38 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1[b] | 0 | 44 | 8 | |
| Total | 63 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 79 | 11 | ||
| Liverpool | 2011–12[108] | Premier League | 36 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | 46 | 2 | |
| 2012–13[45] | Premier League | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12[b] | 2 | 45 | 5 | |
| Total | 65 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 91 | 7 | ||
| West Ham United | 2013–14[109] | Premier League | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 37 | 1 | |
| 2014–15[110] | Premier League | 37 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 42 | 6 | ||
| Total | 69 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 79 | 7 | |||
| Middlesbrough | 2015–16[111] | Championship | 45 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 49 | 3 | |
| 2016–17[112] | Premier League | 30 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 34 | 2 | ||
| 2017–18[113] | Championship | 40 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 47 | 3 | |
| 2018–19[114] | Championship | 38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 40 | 2 | ||
| Total | 153 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 170 | 10 | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2019–20[115] | Championship | 41 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 43 | 3 | |
| 2020–21[116] | Championship | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 | 0 | ||
| Total | 59 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 62 | 3 | |||
| Career total | 597 | 50 | 57 | 6 | 35 | 4 | 33 | 3 | 722 | 63 | ||
| National team | Year | Competitive | Friendly | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| England | 2005 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 6[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 5[b] | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1[c] | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 5[d] | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 17 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
Middlesbrough
Aston Villa
Liverpool
Individual
England squads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
