Paul Downing (footballer)

Paul Michael Downing (born 26 October 1991) is an English footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Kidderminster Harriers.

West Bromwich Albion
Downing was born in Taunton, Somerset and came through the youth system at West Bromwich Albion. He signed a professional contract lasting until June 2012, with an option of a further year in the club's favour. He made the bench for a 0–0 draw against Blackburn in the Premier League on 24 May 2009.

Downing went on a one-month loan deal to Hereford United on 25 January 2010, along with West Brom teammate Lateef Elford-Alliyu. 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. He was sent off on his final appearance, a 5–0 loss to eventual league winners Notts County on 27 February. He made six appearances during his loan spell.

Between November 2010 and April 2011, Downing signed on loan for two successive spells with Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town but made no senior appearances for either club before returning to West Brom.

On 3 November 2011 he signed on loan for League Two side Barnet, initially on a one-month deal. He made his debut on 8 November in a 2–0 win in the Football League Trophy against Cheltenham Town. On 17 November Barnet extended the loan deal to allow him to remain there until 2 January. On 19 January 2012 the loan deal was extended again to allow him to remain at Barnet until 28 February. On 29 February the loan deal was extended again, this time until the end of the season. He was sent off for the second time in his career during a 1–1 draw with Rotherham on 3 March.

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.

Walsall
On 1 August 2012, Downing signed for League One team Walsall. He made his debut on 1 September in a 2–2 draw against Brentford.

Milton Keynes Dons
On 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. Downing made his league debut for the club on 6 August 2016, in a 0–1 away win against Shrewsbury Town.

Blackburn Rovers
On 31 August 2017, Downing initially joined fellow League One club Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan. On 8 January 2018, Downing joined the club permanently on a one-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 15 May 2019 it was announced that Downing will leave at the end of his contract.

Doncaster Rovers
On 24 January 2019, it was announced that Downing had been loaned to Doncaster Rovers in League One for the rest of that season.

Portsmouth
On 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. 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.

Rochdale (loan)
On 13 January 2022, Downing signed for Rochdale on loan for the rest of the season.

Hereford
On 31 August 2023, Downing signed for National League North club Hereford, linking up with former Blackburn teammate Paul Caddis. 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.

Personal life
He 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.

Honours
Walsall
 * Football League Trophy runner-up: 2014–15

Blackburn Rovers
 * EFL League One runner-up: 2017–18