Johnny Downie Explained

Johnny Downie
Fullname:John Dennis Downie
Birth Date:19 July 1925
Birth Place:Lanark, Scotland
Death Place:Tynemouth, England
Position:Inside forward
Youthclubs1:Lanark ATC
Years1:1942–1949
Caps1:86
Goals1:33
Years2:1949–1953
Caps2:110
Goals2:35
Years3:1953–1954
Clubs3:Luton Town
Caps3:26
Goals3:12
Years4:1954–1955
Clubs4:Hull City
Caps4:27
Goals4:5
Years5:1955–?
Clubs5:King's Lynn
Years6:?–1958
Clubs6:Wisbech Town
Years7:1958–1959
Clubs7:Mansfield Town
Caps7:18
Goals7:4
Years8:1959–1960
Clubs8:Darlington
Caps8:15
Goals8:2
Years9:1960–1961
Clubs9:Hyde United
Years10:1961
Clubs10:Mossley
Years11:1961–1962
Totalcaps:282
Totalgoals:91

John Dennis Downie (19 July 1925 – 19 February 2013) was a Scottish footballer. He was born in Lanark,[1] and played as an inside forward. Downie played football as a member of the Lanark Air Training Corps, but joined Bradford Park Avenue as an amateur in August 1942. After spending time working in a colliery in Bradford, he turned professional in December 1944, and made his debut when football restarted after the Second World War.

After 33 goals in 86 league appearances for Bradford Park Avenue, he joined Manchester United in March 1949 for a club record £18,000 as a replacement for the departing Johnny Morris.[2] Downie scored 37 goals (including five in the FA Cup) in 116 appearances for the club, before leaving for Luton Town for £10,000 in 1953.

Downie also played league football for Hull City, Mansfield Town and Darlington, and spent time in the non-league with King's Lynn, Wisbech Town, Hyde United, Mossley and Stalybridge Celtic. After retiring from football, Downie worked as a newsagent in Bradford. He later lived in Tynemouth and regularly watched local teams North Shields and Whitley Bay, and also played snooker. He died in Tynemouth on 19 February 2013.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. 1925 Births in the District of Lanark in the County of Lanark page 35 no 104
  2. News: Cliff. Butler. Obituary: Johnny Downie. ManUtd.com . Manchester United. 21 February 2013. 22 February 2013.