Toby Philip Down (Chinese: 唐道碧; born 3 June 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a centre back for Hong Kong Premier League club HKFC.

Toby Down
Down with Citizen in September 2013
Personal information
Full name Toby Philip Down
Date of birth (1994-06-03) 3 June 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Ascot, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Centre back
Team information
Current team
HKFC
Number 4
Youth career
Kowloon Cricket Club
Kitchee
Sham Shui Po
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Concordia Bulldogs 71 (16)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Citizen 0 (0)
2018–2020 Tai Po 8 (0)
2020–2022 Eastern 1 (0)
2020–2022Southern (loan) 14 (0)
2023–2024 OFC Wolves
2024– HKFC 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 July 2024

Club career

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Down moved to Hong Kong at the age of 3 with his family. He played junior football for the Kowloon Cricket Club in the HKJFL, until moving into the local football set up with Kitchee and then Sham Shui Po. After attending secondary school in King George V School he had a trial period with Wycombe Wanderers in 2013, making 1 appearance in a pre-season friendly.[1]

Down started his senior career at Citizen, making his senior debut in the Hong Kong FA Cup playing the last nine minutes in a 3–0 win over Sun Source.[2]

Down then attended Concordia University to study marketing and play for the men's football team.[3] In September 2015, he scored the first hat-trick for his side since October 2013.[4]

After four years in America, Down returned to Hong Kong to join Tai Po. On 2 September 2018, he made his Hong Kong Premier League debut for Tai Po, playing the last 20 minutes in a 4–4 draw with Yuen Long.[5]

On 6 July 2020, Down joined fellow Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern.[6]

On 15 October 2020, Southern acquired Down on loan for the season.[7]

On 9 July 2022, Down left Eastern. In 2024, he was playing for United Premier Soccer League side OFC Wolves.[8]

On 31 July 2024, it was confirmed that Down would join HKFC having last played in Hong Kong since 2020.[9]

International career

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In 2020, it was reported that Down had received his HKSAR passport after giving up his English passport, making him eligible to represent Hong Kong internationally.

Personal life

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Down was born in Ascot, England and has four siblings. He competed in both rugby and athletics when he was younger.[3]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 22 March 2020.[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Senior Shield Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Citizen 2013–14 Hong Kong First Division 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Tai Po 2018–19 Hong Kong Premier League 2 0 0 0 1 0 4[a] 0 7 0
2019–20 Hong Kong Premier League 6 0 2 0 3 0 3[b] 0 14 0
Career total 8 0 3 0 4 0 7 0 22 0
  1. ^ Appearances in Community Cup & Sapling Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in Sapling Cup

Honours

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Tai Po

References

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  1. ^ "Toby Down: The Ascot-born midfielder with Hong Kong national team aspirations". English Players Abroad. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  2. ^ "METRO GALLERY SUN SOURCE VS. CITIZEN AA 0 - 3". Soccerway. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Toby Down profile at Concordia Bulldogs". Concordia University Nebraska. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Down leads offensive flurry in blowout at York". cune.edu. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  5. ^ "YUEN LONG VS. WOFOO TAI PO 4 - 4 match report". Soccerway. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Welcome Toby". Instagram.com (in Chinese). 6 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  7. ^ "唐道碧借用身份加盟". Facebook. Retrieved 15 October 2020. (in Chinese)
  8. ^ "The Pack kept their unbeaten run in their inaugural @upslsoccer season intact with a 3-1 victory over @gosasoccer". facebook.com. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  9. ^ 港超聯 港會開操!前港腳羅素「愛回家」 on.cc 31 July 2024
  10. ^ Toby Down at Soccerway
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