Aaron Downes

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Aaron Downes
Personal information
Full name Aaron Terence Downes [1]
Date of birth (1985-05-15) 15 May 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Mackay, Australia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
2003 AIS
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2003 Hampton & Richmond 1 (0)
2003–2004 Frickley Athletic 4 (0)
2004–2012 Chesterfield 174 (10)
2012 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 8 (0)
2012–2015 Torquay United 109 (15)
2015–2018 Cheltenham Town 48 (6)
Total344(31)
International career
2004 Australia U20 11 (1)
2007–2008 Australia U23 8 (4)
Managerial career
2024 Torquay United (interim manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Aaron Terence Downes (born 15 May 1985) is an Australian former soccer player who played as a defender. He was most recently interim manager at Torquay United and is now assistant manager at Cheltenham Town F.C.

Contents

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. [2] [3] 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. [4] He was released by the club at the end of the 2011–12 season having suffered further serious injuries during his tenure. [5]

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". [6] In June 2013, he signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Torquay United until 2015. [7]

On 11 May 2015, Gary Johnson made Downes his first signing at Cheltenham Town. Although sidelined by a knee injury for a large part of 2016, he captained the side to the National League title and continued to lead them in their first season back in the English Football League.

Downes retired from football at the end of the 2017–18 season. [8]

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.

Coaching career

On 13 December 2018, Downes was appointed assistant manager at former club Torquay United. [9]

On 22 February 2024, following the departure of Gary Johnson, Downes was appointed interim manager of the National League South club. [10] On 14 May 2024, Downes' departure was confirmed having secured the club's safety in the sixth tier. [11]

Managerial statistics

As of 14 May 2024
TeamFromToRecord
PWDLWin %
Torquay United (interim) [12] 22 February 202414 May 202413535038.5
Total13535038.5

Honours

Club

Chesterfield
Cheltenham Town

International

Australia national football team

Individual

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References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 123. ISBN   978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ↑ "SoccerFacts UK Player Details". soccerfactsuk.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "SoccerFacts UK Player Details". soccerfactsuk.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Downes to sign Spireites deal Sky Sports, 22 April 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009
  5. ↑ "Spireites issue retained list". Chesterfield FC. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Torquay United – Home of the Gulls". Torquay United. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Aaron Downes signs deal to stay on at Torquay United | Western Morning News". www.westernmorningnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  8. ↑ Palmer, Jon (10 May 2018). "Eight players released as Cheltenham Town confirm retained list". Gloucestershire Echo . Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  9. ↑ "Aaron Downes is appointed Torquay United assistant manager". Torquay United FC. 13 December 2018.
  10. ↑ "Johnson Departs TUAFC". torquayunited.com. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Downes Departs". torquayunited.com. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "Torquay United - Scores & Fixtures - Football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
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