Paul Downing

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, after 16 months without a club, 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.

Kidderminster Harriers On 20 June 2024, Downing signed a one-year contract with National League North club Kidderminster Harriers. He was released at the end of the season.

Worcester City On 17 June 2025, Downing signed for Southern League Premier Division Central club Worcester City.

On 12 June 2026, Downing announced his retirement from football.

Coaching career In October 2025, he returned to former club Kidderminster Harriers, helping coach the under-19s squad.

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.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2008–09 Premier League

2011–12 Premier League

Hereford United (loan) 2009–10 League Two

Rotherham United (loan) 2010–11 League Two

Shrewsbury Town (loan)

32!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0!!38!!0

2012–13 League One

League One

League One

League One

156!!6!!9!!0!!7!!0!!11!!0!!183!!6

2016–17 League One

League One

Championship

31 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 44 2 Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2018–19 League One

League One

League One

National League North 27 1 3 0

2 0 32 1 Kidderminster Harriers 2024–25

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