Stewart Downing’s tenure at the Boleyn Ground has come to an abrupt end, but let us not disregard what he has done for the club over the past two seasons. He signed for the Hammers in the summer of 2013 for a fee of around £5million, and now he has opted to re-join his boyhood club Middlesbrough, in spite of having two years remaining on his contract. So, to give him a fitting send off, we take a look at Downing’s three best moments in a claret and blue shirt.
1) Debut goal against Tottenham to secure West Ham’s safety
2013/14 was a season that was dominated with uncertainty and insecurity. Sam Allardyce’s side were lingering in and around the relegation zone for the majority of the campaign, and their Premier League status was in doubt. However, a run of consecutive victories in the New Year had put the Irons in closing distance of safety. Along came May, and a home fixture against Tim Sherwood’s Tottenham. Half-time was approaching and West Ham had a slender one-goal lead. A free-kick was awarded to us on the edge of the penalty area, up steps Stewart Downing and it rifles into the back of net. The Hammers went on to win the game 2-0 and it secured safety from the drop. Not a bad way to open your goal-scoring account for your new team.
2) Moving from the wing to the number 10 position
In the Englishman’s second season, Allardyce took the decision to move Downing from the wing, and position him in a more central role behind the striker(s). It worked a treat, and paid huge dividends for the 30-year-old. He looked a completely different player, increasing both his goal tally and his assist tally. He became such a vital role to the team, so much so he featured in all but one Premier League game during 2014/15. Downing ended the season with six goals and eight assists, and West Ham never lost a game in which he had found the net.
3) Getting a recall to the England squad
Downing’s impressive form certainly did not go unnoticed at international level either, and he was rewarded with his first England call-up for nearly two and a half years, handed to him by manager Roy Hodgson. This was the first time the attacking midfielder had represented the Three Lions since Hodgson’s first ever game in charge for England, back in May 2012. Downing started the feisty friendly international against Scotland in November, where he helped his country to a 3-1 victory over their fierce British rivals. This capped off a fantastic run for Stewart at the Boleyn Ground.
Whilst the transfer back up North was not seen coming by many West Ham fans, this does not detract the sensibility of the move. Albeit in a lower division, Downing will continue his footballing career at the club that made him famous. It is important to never forget your roots, and we may well see him in action for England at the European Championships next summer.
