Walsall player 282. Paul Michael Downing

Paul Michael Downing (born 26 October 1991) is an English footballer who is currently signed to Walsall after being released by West Bromwich Albion as a defender. He is the nephew of former footballer and manager, and current assistant head coach of West Brom Keith Downing. His older brother Leigh was formerly at the West Brom academy as a scholar.

Downing was born in Taunton, and came through the youth ranks at West Brom, and is part of the club’s development squad. He has signed a pro contract that lasts 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.
He went on a one month loan deal to Hereford United on 25 January 2010, along with West Brom team mate 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.
On 25 November 2010 he signed on loan for Rotherham United until 4 January. On 31 January 2011 he signed on loan for Shrewsbury Town, after making no appearances at Rotherham. He made no appearances before returning to West Brom.
On 3 November 2011 he signed on loan for League Two team 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, but never made an appearance. On 1 August 2012, he signed for League One team Walsall. He made his debut on 1 September in a 2–2 draw against Brentford. He has now played around 100 games for Walsall.

Youth career
2007–2009	West Bromwich Albion
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2012	West Bromwich Albion	0	(0)
2010	Hereford United (loan)	6	(0)
2010–2011	Rotherham United (loan)	0	(0)
2011	Shrewsbury Town loan)	0	(0)
2011–2012	Barnet (loan)	26	(0)
2012–	Walsall	100	(3)