STEWART DOWNING

'Stewart Jason Downing' (born July 22, 1984 in Middlesbrough) is an English football player, who currently plays for Middlesbrough, and is in the England squad. A natural left-footer, Downing plays on the left side of midfield in a traditional winger's role.

Contents

Playing career

No Messin'

Private life

Career statistics

References

External links

Playing career

Stewart Downing grew up in Middlesbrough's Pallister estate and has been with the club he has supported since his school days. He is considered one of the brightest graduates of the academy.
Downing made his Boro debut in the 1-0 Premiership defeat at Ipswich Town in April 2002. Three days later he played for the first time as part of the senior squad at the Riverside, replacing Benito Carbone at halftime in the 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea. His first goal for the club was scored in a Carling Cup clash at Brentford.
Earlier on in his career, he was sent out on loan to Sunderland in 2003, as at the time his first-team chances were limited due to the form on the left of Boro's midfield of Bolo Zenden. After his recall due to injuries at Middlesbrough, he found his chances for first-team appearances had increased, and his career started to take off.
With seven Under-21 caps to his credit, Downing made his England debut on February 9 2005 in a home friendly, played at Villa Park against the Netherlands, replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips in the second half. In July 2005, Downing's contract at the Riverside was extended till 2010.
As the 2005-06 season started Downing found himself ignored by the England (senior team) management and his career took a further setback in May 2005 when he was injured training with England on their USA tour. He returned to full fitness in January 2006.
Downing was included in the England World Cup squad in May 2006 by Sven-Göran Eriksson, and came on as a second half substitute in England's victorious opening game against Paraguay. He was brought on once again in the match against Trinidad and Tobago, when England scored two goals in the last ten minutes.
Since the World Cup, Tottenham Hotspur have reaffirmed their interest in signing Downing and publicly announced in August that they had made an improved offer to Middlesbrough believed to be in the region of £8 million for his signature.^[1] Middlesbrough dismissed the bid as 'derisory' whilst Downing himself has expressed a firm desire to stay at Middlesbrough.
On August 162006 Downing made his first start for England, where Greece were beaten by 4 goals to 0, Downing setting up 3. He has started the subsequent 3 Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Andorra and the Republic of Macedonia. His performances drew criticism from the Southern-based press, with many stating that Downing is only being picked due to his friendship with Steve McClaren.

No Messin'

Stewart is also heavily involved in the nationwide No Messin'[1] campaign, warning youngsters against playing on railway lines as well as chasing and jumping in front of on coming trains in a game known locally as 'Head On'. Head on is a game where youngsters stand on a railway track and wait for an on coming train, bow their head so that they cannot see the train and then jump out of the way at the last possible moment. It is a project that Stewart is keen to promote and raise awareness for, as it is an issue that has plagued him and his local surroundings for many years. Boxing hero Amir Khan is also involved in the project.

Private life

Downing's ex-girlfriend Michaela Henderson-Thynne, also from Middlesbrough, who was one of the prominent WAGs during the 2006 World Cup. They split up after four years together.[2].
In February 2007 it was reported the The Sun that he has allegedly fathered a child to Donna Moloney, cousin of Middlesbrough born actor and funnyman Andrew Moloney.

Career statistics

' Club Performance'

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Europe		Others		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Middlesbrough F.C.	2005-06	12	1	5	0	0	0	8	0	0	0	25	1
	2004-05	35	5	2	0	2	0	9	1	0	0	48	6
Sunderland Loan	2003-04	7	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	3
Middlesbrough F.C.	2003-04	20	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	24	0
	2002-03	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	3
	2001-02	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Total		79	9	9	0	5	1	17	1	0	0	104	16

References

1. http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article1221254.ece

External links

★ profile on Middlesbrough official site

★ profile at premierleague.com

★ profile at thefa.com

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