Stewart Downing, an English footballer, is currently playing as a midfielder for the Blackburn Rovers in the English Football League Championship. With a passion for football from a young age, he joined the Middlesbrough Academy and quickly gained recognition as a prodigious player. Throughout his career, Downing has played for five different clubs, primarily as a winger but recently transitioning to an attacking midfielder. Known for his versatility, he excels on the left-hand side but can also perform well on the right due to his stronger left foot. Despite a setback from a knee injury in 2005, Downing has made numerous appearances for both his club and the national team. Beyond football, he actively supports various charitable causes and shares a close bond with his father, who recognized his football skills from a very early age. Growing up, Downing was a devoted fan of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In July
- Girlfriend: Donna Moloney (ex)
- Age: 39 Years, 39 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Michelle
- Father: Stewart Downing
- Mother: Kerry Downing
- Siblings: Vicky Downing
- Children: Francesca Downing
- Born Country: England
- Football Players
- British Men
- Height: 5’11” (180 cm), 5’11” Males
- City: Middlesbrough, England
Childhood & Early Life
Stewart Jason Downing was born on July 22, 1984, in Middlesbrough, England. He grew up in Pallister Park and was raised by his parents Kerry Downing and Stewart Downing Sr. Sadly, his sister Vicky passed away from leukemia at the age of 4 in 1993. From a young age, Stewart had a deep passion for football and would train with his father at the Marton Football Club every morning. It was there that he met Keith Scurr, the coach of Marton, who helped him develop his skills. Stewart attended Pallister Park Primary School where he met Mick Waterfield, the school’s football coach. He joined the school team and competed in various competitions. One notable achievement was winning the Reebok Spirit of the Street competition, which had over 2,000 national teams participating.
Club Career
Stewart Downing began his club career at a young age. He played for the under-9 team at Marton FC until he was 14. After that, he joined Seaham Red Star and played for them for a few years. At the age of 17, he joined Middlesbrough FC after trying out for clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Manchester United, Sunderland, and Everton. He made his debut for Middlesbrough on April 24, 2002, in a Premier League match against Ipswich Town. In the following seasons, he had limited playing time but managed to score his first senior goal against Brentford on October 1, 2002. In 2003, he was loaned to Sunderland for a month and scored 3 goals in 7 matches. He returned to Middlesbrough and continued to impress with his performances. In the 2004-2005 season, he scored 6 goals in 49 appearances and was invited to the English squad for a friendly match against the Netherlands. Downing signed a new 5-year contract with Middlesbrough in 2008 but the club faced relegation in 2009. He was later signed by Aston Villa for £10 million. After his time at Aston Villa, he played for Liverpool, West Ham United, and returned to Middlesbrough before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2019.
International Career
Stewart Downing made his international debut for England on February 9, 2005, in a friendly match against the Netherlands. He went on to make a total of 35 appearances for the national team. He was part of the World Cup squad in 2006 and played in matches against Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago. One of his most notable performances was against Greece in 2006, where he contributed to 3 of England’s 4 goals. Downing also played in Euro Qualifiers and was selected for the UEFA Euro 2012 Tournament.
Awards & Achievements
Throughout his career, Stewart Downing has received several awards and accolades. He was awarded the Alan Hardaker Trophy in 2012. He was named Middlesbrough’s Young Player of the Year for the 2003-2004 season and Player of the Year for the 2004-2005 season. He was also named Aston Villa’s Player of the Season for the 2010-2011 season.
Family & Personal Life
Stewart Downing dated Michaela Henderson-Thynne from 2003 to 2007. They broke up after it was revealed that he had fathered a child with another woman, Donna Moloney, while they were still together. He is now married to his long-time partner, Michelle, since 2018. Downing is involved in various charitable activities and supports campaigns to prevent youngsters from playing on railway lines. He has also raised funds for the Royal Victoria Infirmary in New Castle, where his sister Vicky received treatment. Downing has had some legal issues in the past, including reporting his former agent for suspicious handling of his business and being involved in an assault incident. He is known for his love of DJ-ing and has played sets at various nightclubs. He also enjoys Middlesbrough parmos, a popular takeaway dish in North East England, and was inspired to improve his game after playing at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland.