Downer's on the comeback trail
By Matt Pitman

Saturday 26th November 2005

SIMON Downer knows more than most how cruel football can be.

The defender appeared to have the world at his feet. At the age of 17, Downer was making a Football League debut for Leyton Orient.

More than SO appearances later, the powerful centre half was rated one of the sport's hottest properties and being tracked by Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson.

Then disaster struck. Downer's hopes of a glamour move to the Premiership ended when he suffered a couple of horrific knee ligament injuries.

The Londoner attempted to resurrect his career in non-League only to break down again and, at his darkest hour, hung up his boots.

Then, after a year away from the sport, Weymouth manager Garry Hill asked Downer to come out of retirement

The powerful centre half accepted and has now hit. the comeback trail at the Wessex Stadium.

The 24-year-old said: "I'm very grateful to Garry to giving me this opportunity and I'm happy to be back involved in football again.

"It was a bit of a surprise when he called me and asked me to come down to Weymouth but I was pleased all the same because all he said was that there would be no pressure and he just wanted to help me get fit.

"I've had some bad knee injuries over the years which were a big blow especially when I was at Leyton Orient. "Back then I had been invited up to Newcastle United for a trial and quite a few other Premiership clubs were showing an interest.

"Then the injury happened and for a while it was hard to take. I had two operations on my knee and another on my groin.

"Football was all I had really known and it seemed like my hopes had been dashed.

"I eventually started playing in non-League but it got to the stage where I just wasn't enjoying it anymore

"I packed up playing for more than a year, apart from a couple of games to help a friend out who was at Redbridge, but other than that I hardly kicked a ball.

"Then I got the call from Garry which was a bit of a surprise became it came out of the blue."

Downer has started only one game since moving to the Wessex Stadium earlier this season.

But he says he is content to play second fiddle to the Terras other defenders.

"I honestly don't mind not playing week in and week out at this stage," said Downer. "Because of my injuries and the fact I still need regular treatment, I'm not in a position to go full-time just yet. "I'm returning to football slowly but surely and I'm just happy to help out Garry and Weymouth as and when required.

"Garry has given me this opportunity to come back and I hope to repay his faith in the coming months."