There’s plenty of life left in Downing yet – he’s a true Boro asset
STEWART Downing’s revelation that he has no intention of hanging up his boots in the near future will be sweet music to the ears of Tony Pulis.
The Boro boss has long been a great admirer of the Middlesbrough-born midfielder, who continues to put a shift in week-in-and-week-out at the grand old age of 34.
Downing has been one of the first names on Pulis’s team-sheet ever since the manager arrived on Teesside at the end of last year.
The former England international remains a vital cog in the side with his pin-point passing and crossing abilities allied to his work rate on the flank.
Downing can also operate in a central attacking midfield role but he has spent most of his career on the wing where he has matured into the perfect wide man.
In the last home game against Luton, the Teessider enjoyed a storming game. His committed effort in dropping back and making vital challenges on the edge of his own penalty area earned generous applause from the Boro faithful.
However, it is as an attacking player where Stewart is most useful. He is one of the few who can make things happen in the final third of the pitch.
Downing clearly has a key role to play in Boro’s ongoing push for promotion – and Pulis is well aware of the fact.
Even at the age of 35, Stewart may also be pretty useful if Boro are back in the top flight next season.
It’s worth remembering that, before returning to Boro in 2015, Downing had never kicked a ball in league action outside of the Premier League.
He should comfortably achieve his 400th appearance for the club before
the end of this season, which puts him in hallowed company.
Few Boro players in the last 30 years have reached the 400 milestone, the obvious ones being Mark Schwarzer, Steve Pears and Tony Mowbray.
Downing’s talent was never in doubt from the start. He was only 17 when Steve McClaren handed him his Premier League debut.
However it was a loan spell which really kick-started Downing’s career.
He went on loan to neighbours Sunderland and did so well, scoring three goals in seven games and revitalising the Black Cats, that he went straight into the Boro line-up upon his Riverside return.
It was in 2004-05, the season following Boro’s Carling Cup Final success, that Downing became a permanent fixture in the team. He also won his first England cap.
The following season he made a massive contribution to Boro’s progress towards the UEFA Cup Final and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Had Boro not been relegated in 2009, Downing might have stayed here for the duration.
However Boro were forced to cash in on their top players at the time and Downing was sold to Aston Villa, eventually moving to Liverpool and then West Ham.
While with the Hammers, Downing was converted to a No.10 with great effect by manager Sam Allardyce, which added another string to his bow.
Stewart was re-signed for Boro by Aitor Karanka in the summer of 2015 and played a great role in the club returning to the Premier League.
Since then he has continued to carry out a vital role for the team.
So how much longer will he play on? Downing stresses that retirement is not something he has thought about.
He said: “Hopefully the prospect of hanging up my boots is a long way off.
“I feel good and I’m recovering well from games. So at the minute I’m just really enjoying it.
“It’s all about managing your body and keeping it in the best possible shape.”
Downing could well go on to become one of Boro’s oldest players of all time.
He still has a long way to go to catch Bryan Robson, who was ten days short of his 40th birthday when he lined up for Boro against Arsenal at Highbury on New Year’s Day, 1997.
But however long Stewart carries on, it’s just great to have him around.