Stewart Downing

Infobox Football biography
playername = Stewart Downing


fullname = Stewart Downing
nickname(s) = Stewart Little
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|7|22|df=y
cityofbirth = Middlesbrough
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=5|in=11
currentclub = Middlesbrough
clubnumber = 19
position = Left Winger
years = 2001–
2003
clubs = Middlesbrough
→ Sunderland (loan)
caps(goals) = 184 (20)
007 0(3)
nationalyears = 2004–2005
2006
2005–
nationalteam = England U21
England B
England
nationalcaps(goals) = 008 0(0)
002 0(2)
020 0(0)
pcupdate = 19:45, 16 June 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 7 September 2008

Stewart Downing (born 22 July 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.

Club 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 most promising graduates of the Middlesbrough Academy.

His debut came on 24 April 2002 in a Premier League game away at Ipswich Town. He was limited to just three appearances during that season, plus a further three the following season despite scoring his first senior goal in a 4–1 League Cup victory over Brentford. He was sent out on loan to Sunderland 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 2004–05 season 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 squad in February 2005 for a friendly against the the Netherlands.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4232731.stm |title=England call up Johnson & Downing |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2005-02-05 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

A knee injury saw Downing sidelined for five months at the end of 2005, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4838530.stm |title=World Cup scouting - Stewart Downing |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2006-03-25 |accessdate=2008-09-03] 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 agg) victory over Steaua Bucharest in the semi-final second leg. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4933504.stm |title=M'brough 4-2 S B'chrst (agg 4-3) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2006-04-27 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

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. [cite news|url=http://anthonyvickers.boroblogs.co.uk/archives/2008/01/post_16.html |title=Downing Dream Should Still Be At Boro |first=Anthony |last=Vickers |publisher=Evening Gazette |date=2008-01-15 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

On 26 February 2008, Downing signed a new five-year contract, keeping him signed on at Middlesbrough until 2013. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/7225057.stm |title=Downing signs new Boro contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-02-26 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

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

Downing's former 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. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/7595912.stm |title=Downing's former agent arrested |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

International career

With seven Under-21 caps to his credit, Downing made his England debut on 9 February 2005 in a home friendly, played at Villa Park against the Netherlands, replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips in the second half. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4246397.stm |title=England 0-0 Holland |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2005-02-09 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

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 World Cup squad in May 2006 by Sven-Göran Eriksson, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4983618.stm |title=Walcott & Lennon in England squad |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2006-05-08 |accessdate=2008-09-03] and came on as a second half substitute in England's victorious opening game against Paraguay. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4852606.stm |title=England 1-0 Paraguay |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2006-06-10 |accessdate=2008-09-03] He was brought on once again in the match against Trinidad and Tobago, when England scored two goals in the last ten minutes. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853008.stm |title=England 2-0 Trinidad and Tobago |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2006-06-15 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

On 16 August 2006 Downing made his first start for England, as Greece were beaten by 4–0, with Downing involved in three of the goals. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4794867.stm|title=England 4-0 Greece |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2006-08-16 |accessdate=2008-09-03] He started the subsequent three Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Andorra and the Republic of Macedonia. 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. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7313427.stm |title=France 1-0 England |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-03-26 |accessdate=2008-09-03] He was also called up (along side Middlesbrough teammate David Wheater) for Capello's friendlies against the USA 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. [cite news|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/06/02/opinion-why-stewart-downing-offers-a-great-world-cup-route-89520-20592041/ |title=Opinion: Why Stewart Downing offers a great World Cup route |date=2008-06-02 |accessdate=2008-09-03] A few months after Capello took charge of England, the Italian boss stated that he had been most impressed by Downing. [cite news|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-fc-news/2008/06/10/capello-praises-boro-star-downing-84229-21049548/ |title=Capello praises Boro star Downing |publsiher=Evening Gazette |date=2008-06-10 |accessdate=2008-09-03] [cite news|url=http://www.middlesbrough.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=112159 |title=Capello Impressed By Downing |publisher=Vitalfootball.co.uk |date=2008-06-10 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

Work in the community

No Messin'

Stewart supports the nationwide [http://www.no-messin.com/ No Messin'] campaign, warning youngsters against playing on railway lines. Freestyler, Colin Nell and boxer Amir Khan is also involved in the project.

Middlesbrough Futsal Club

Stewart Downing was given the honorary position of president of Middlesbrough Futsal Club in December 2007. His involvement with the club will mainly be as a public figure in order to raise awareness of the game of futsal in England, particularly in Middlesbrough.

Charity Night

A special charity dinner with special guest boxer Ricky Hatton was held to raise funds for the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne on February 5th, 2008. [http://ts15.gazettelive.co.uk/2007/12/in_memory_of_vicky.html] The hospital had cared for Vicky, Stewarts sister, who died of leukaemia in 1993 at the age of 4.

Private life

Downing's ex-girlfriend Michaela Henderson-Thynne, also from Middlesbrough, was one of the prominent WAGs during the 2006 World Cup. They separated after four years together. [cite news|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_headline=stewart-ditches-his-wag--&method=full&objectid=18601648&siteid=89520-name_page.html |title=Stewart Ditches His Wag |publisher=Mirror.co.uk |date=2007-02-10 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

During his spare time Stewart often DJs at a few of Middlesbrough's top nightclubs, including Purple Onion. [cite news|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/04/26/stewart-downing-wants-to-put-sunderland-in-a-spin-89520-20395481/ |title=Stewart Downing wants to put Sunderland in a spin |publsiher=Mirror.co.uk |date=2008-04-06 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

Career statistics

References

External links

* [http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/ProfilesDetail/0,,1~22343,00.html profile on Middlesbrough official site]
* [http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=forwardOnly&nextPage=enPlayerProfile&playerId=245367 profile at premierleague.com]
* [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Players/Postings/2005/02/EnglandProfile_StewartDowning profile at thefa.com]
* [http://www.BoroFutsal.co.uk Official Website of Middlesbrough Futsal Club]
*