Career
Originally a centre-forward, he switched to left full-back early in his career. He spent five years at Highfield Road, playing 146 league games and scoring four goals. On leaving in 1990, he dropped down to the Third Division to sign for Birmingham City, playing 17 times in the disappointing 1990-1991 campaign where the Blues recorded their lowest ever finish of 13th place.
He was then signed by Hereford United, who had appointed former Coventry boss John Sillett as manager for the 1991-1992 season.
Sillett left Edgar Street after one disappointing season in charge, and Downs was appointed player-manager in his place, an arrangement which lasted for two seasons until he was succeeded by John Layton. In three seasons at the Bulls, he played 108 times in the league"s basement division, scoring twice.
After retiring from professional football in 1995, Downs joined the police. However, he continued playing non-league football into his mid forties.
In 2006 he joined Wroxham as assistant to player-manager Damian Hilton.
The pair resigned in November 2007. Though Hilton had second thoughts and was re-appointed manager, Downs left the club
