Aaron Downes
|
Downes playing for Torquay United | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aaron Terence Downes[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 15 May 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Mudgee, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Cheltenham Town | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003 | AIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003 | Hampton & Richmond | ? | (?) |
| 2003–2004 | Frickley Athletic | ? | (?) |
| 2004–2012 | Chesterfield | 174 | (10) |
| 2012 | → Bristol Rovers (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2012–2015 | Torquay United | 109 | (15) |
| 2015– | Cheltenham Town | 35 | (6) |
| National team | |||
| 2004–9056 | Australia U20 | 11 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | Australia U23 | 8 | (4) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 October 2015. | |||
Aaron Terence Downes (born 15 May 1985) is an Australian footballer who plays as a defender for Cheltenham Town in the Football League Two.
Club career
Born in Mackay, Queensland and raised in Mudgee, New South Wales, Downes was signed for Chesterfield on 1 August 2004 by ex Chesterfield manager Roy MacFarland after having trials at Bolton Wanderers and a short spell at non league outfit Frickley Athletic. Before moving to England he was a player at the Australian Institute of Sport.
At the end of the 2006–07 season following his side's relegation to Football League Two not only did he sign an extension to his current contract at Chesterfield but he also was made team captain of Chesterfield following the departure of ex captain Mark Allott. Downes was at that time a valued member of the squad and as well as his defensive qualities he has an eye for goal, mainly from set pieces.
On 22 April 2009, Downes signed a new 2-year contract extension with Chesterfield, despite the defender picking up a serious knee injury before the contract was signed.[2] He was released by the club at the end of the 2011–12 season having suffered further serious injuries during his tenure.[3]
In July 2012 Downes signed a one-year contract with Torquay United. Manager, Martin Ling said of Downes, "He needs someone to take a punt and that is the right word for a player who has suffered two cruciates". He enjoyed a successful season, striking up a strong defensive partnership with Brian Saah, culminating in him being voted the supporters' "Player of the season".[4] In June 2013, he signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Torquay United until 2015.[5]
On 11 May 2015, Downes signed for Cheltenham Town. Although sidelined by a knee injury for a large part of 2016, he captained the side to the Vanarama National League title and continued to lead them in their first season back in the English Football League.
International career
Over the years he has worked his way up at international level starting at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. He was also called up by the Olyroos – the Australia national under-23 football team.
Honours
Club
International
Individual
References
- ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
- ↑ Downes to sign Spireites deal Sky Sports, 22 April 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009
- ↑ "Spireites issue retained list". Chesterfield FC. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- 1 2 http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/the-awards-796188.aspx
- ↑ http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Aaron-Downes-signs-deal-stay-Torquay-United/story-19428959-detail/story.html
