Stewart Downing

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





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 most promising graduates of the Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy.

His debut came on 24 April 2002 in a Premier League game away at Ipswich Town F.C.. He was limited to just three appearances during Middlesbrough F.C. season 2001-02, plus a further three the Middlesbrough F.C. season 2002-03 despite scoring his first senior goal in a 4–1 Football League Cup victory over Brentford F.C.. He was sent out on loan to Sunderland A.F.C. in 2003 in order to gain experience. His first-team chances at Middlesbrough were limited due to the form of Bolo Zenden in the left-midfield slot. Downing's career began to take-off when he was recalled from his loan during an injury crisis and was pushed into the first-team.

The Middlesbrough F.C. season 2004-05 saw Downing make forty-nine appearances, scoring six goals, as well as providing numerous assists. His performances that season saw him called up to Sven Göran Eriksson's England national football team in February 2005 for a friendly against the Netherlands national football team.

A knee injury saw Downing sidelined for five months at the end of 2005, though he returned to play his part in the run to the 2006 UEFA Cup Final, including three assists in the 4–2 (4–3 two-legged match) victory over FC Steaua Bucureşti in the semi-final second leg.

Downing is considered by some Middlesbrough fans to be the team's best player. He has received criticism from both outsiders and a section of home supporters, as well as being made a scapegoat in England international matches, but retained the backing of the local media and the majority of fans.

On 26 February 2008, Downing signed a new five-year contract, keeping him signed on at Middlesbrough until 2013.

With the departure of Mark Schwarzer in May 2008, Downing is now Middlesbrough's 2nd longest serving player after Brad Jones.

Downing's former sports agent Ian Elliott was arrested by Cleveland Police on 3 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, while The FA acted as liaison between the police and the club.


With seven England national under-21 football team cap (football) to his credit, Downing made his England debut on 9 February 2005 in a home friendly, played at Villa Park, England against Netherlands national football team, replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips in the second half.

Downing's international career took a setback in May 2005 when he was injured training with England on their tour of the USA, keeping him out of the game until 2006.

Downing was included in the England FIFA 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 national football team. He was brought on once again in the match against Trinidad and Tobago national football team, when England scored two goals in the last ten minutes.

On 16 August 2006 Downing made his first start for England, as Greece national football team were beaten by 4–0, with Downing involved in three of the goals. He started the subsequent three Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Andorra national football team and the Republic of Macedonia national football team. His performances drew criticism from the press, with many stating that Downing was only being selected due to his friendship with manager Steve McClaren. However Downing hopes to have proven many of his critics wrong after Fabio 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. He was also called up (along side Middlesbrough teammate David Wheater) for Capello's friendlies against United States national football team and Trinidad and Tobago where he received the nod ahead of Ashley 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. A few months after Capello took charge of England national football team, the Italian boss stated that he had been most impressed by Downing.




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