Paul Downing (footballer)
Paul Michael Downing (born 26 October 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for National League North club Kidderminster Harriers. Club careerWest Bromwich AlbionDowning was born in Taunton, Somerset and came through the youth system at West Bromwich Albion.[2] He signed a professional contract lasting until June 2012, with an option of a further year in the club's favour.[3] He made the bench for a 0–0 draw against Blackburn in the Premier League on 24 May 2009.[4] Downing went on a one-month loan deal to Hereford United on 25 January 2010, along with West Brom teammate Lateef Elford-Alliyu.[5] He was given the squad number 16, and made his debut on 2 February in a 2–0 win against Lincoln City at Edgar Street.[6] He was sent off on his final appearance, a 5–0 loss to eventual league winners Notts County on 27 February.[7] He made six appearances during his loan spell.[8] Between November 2010 and April 2011, Downing signed on loan for two successive spells with Rotherham United[9] and Shrewsbury Town[10] but made no senior appearances for either club before returning to West Brom.[11] On 3 November 2011 he signed on loan for League Two side Barnet, initially on a one-month deal.[12] He made his debut on 8 November in a 2–0 win in the Football League Trophy against Cheltenham Town.[13] On 17 November Barnet extended the loan deal to allow him to remain there until 2 January.[14] On 19 January 2012 the loan deal was extended again to allow him to remain at Barnet until 28 February.[15] On 29 February the loan deal was extended again, this time until the end of the season.[16] He was sent off for the second time in his career during a 1–1 draw with Rotherham on 3 March.[17] When Downing returned to West Bromwich Albion at the end of the 2011–12 season the club announced that they were not offering him a new contract. On 24 May 2012, Downing was released after three years at the club, having never made an appearance for the first team. WalsallOn 1 August 2012, Downing signed for League One team Walsall.[18] He made his debut on 1 September in a 2–2 draw against Brentford.[19] Milton Keynes DonsOn 27 June 2016, after declining a new contract with Walsall, Downing joined fellow League One side Milton Keynes Dons on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal.[20] Downing made his league debut for the club on 6 August 2016, in a 0–1 away win against Shrewsbury Town.[21] Blackburn RoversOn 31 August 2017, Downing initially joined fellow League One club Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan.[22] On 8 January 2018, Downing joined the club permanently on a one-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[23] On 15 May 2019 it was announced that Downing will leave at the end of his contract.[24] Doncaster RoversOn 24 January 2019, it was announced that Downing had been loaned to Doncaster Rovers in League One for the rest of that season.[25] PortsmouthOn 21 June 2019, it was announced Downing had signed for League One side Portsmouth on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract after being released by Blackburn Rovers.[26] Having spent the second half of the 2021–22 season on loan away from the club, Downing was released at the end of the season.[27] Rochdale (loan)On 13 January 2022, Downing signed for Rochdale on loan for the rest of the season.[28] HerefordOn 31 August 2023, Downing signed for National League North club Hereford, linking up with former Blackburn teammate Paul Caddis.[29] He made his debut in a 1–0 home defeat to Southport two days later. On 17 October 2023, it was announced that Downing had signed a contract to stay at Hereford until the end of the 2023–24 season.[30] Personal lifeHe is the nephew of former footballer and manager, and former assistant head coach of West Brom Keith Downing, a cousin of Judas Priest's guitarist K.K. Downing. His older brother Leigh was formerly at the West Bromwich Albion academy as a scholar.[31] Career statistics
HonoursWalsall
Blackburn Rovers
References
External links
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