Johnny Downie

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.

For those of a similar name, see John Downey (disambiguation).

Johnny Downie
Personal information
Full name John Dennis Downie
Date of birth (1925-07-19)19 July 1925
Place of birth Lanark, Scotland
Date of death 19 February 2013(2013-02-19) (aged 87)
Place of death Tynemouth, England
Position(s) Inside forward
Youth career
Lanark ATC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1942–1949 Bradford Park Avenue 86 (33)
1949–1953 Manchester United 110 (35)
1953–1954 Luton Town 26 (12)
1954–1955 Hull City 27 (5)
1955–? King's Lynn
?–1958 Wisbech Town
1958–1959 Mansfield Town 18 (4)
1959–1960 Darlington 15 (2)
1960–1961 Hyde United
1961 Mossley
1961–1962 Stalybridge Celtic
Total 282 (91)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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]

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