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Aaron Downes’ football career is at a crossroads after his club side Torquay United were officially relegated from the English league system.
The Gulls finished last in League Two – the fourth tier of English professional football – winning 12 of their 46 games to end up on 45 points.
Torquay’s fate was sealed before their 3-0 defeat to Wycombe on Saturday but the defeat to the Wanderers awarded the Mudgee product's team the wooden spoon.
“I was disgusted with that display,” Torquay manager Chris Hargreaves said on the club's website.
“I apologise on the players’ behalf to the fans because it wasn’t good enough and it doesn’t represent me as a manager. The only thing I’m pleased about from yesterday [Saturday’s] is not bringing my family to the game.”
By being relegated, Torquay have dropped to the semi-professional Conference, akin to falling into football oblivion.
“I have a year left on my deal, and could then find myself out of a job if we fail to get promoted... It’s a terrible situation.”
- Mudgee product and Torquay United defender Aaron Downes told Fox Sports last month.
Downes, who turns 29 on Thursday week, said the relegation would have devastating affects on the club and his career.
“Wages are reduced by 20 per cent automatically, and the PFA pension fund stops,” Downes said in an interview with Fox Sports last month.
“It’s also about my career - being in the Conference means I would be less likely to get another league club.
“I have a year left on my deal, and could then find myself out of a job if we fail to get promoted.
“It’s a terrible situation.”
The central defender made 35 appearances for Torquay this season and bagged four goals.
It ends the former Australian under 20s player’s decade-long association with professional football in England, which started with a failed attempt to hit the big time with Bolton, and has since encompassed eight years with Chesterfield, half-a-season with Bristol Rovers and two at Torquay United.
Ironically Chesterfield, where Downes was captain, were promoted to League One for next season and Rovers were relegated along with the Gulls to the Conference.
“As a child I dreamt of playing pro football. No one said it was going to be easy,” Downes said.
“When I got rejected by Bolton, I worked on a building site to earn money to stay, because I didn’t want to go home as a failure.
“I still have dreams and aspirations that are unfulfilled as a footballer."