Competitions
06 November 2025
‘Downesey’ picks up his MBE at the castle!
In his 50-year international match fishing career, Mark Downes has rubbed shoulders with plenty of angling royalty but yesterday saw the Angling Trust Team England Men’s boss in the presence of the real thing as he accepted an MBE from King Charles III.
Taking place at Windsor Castle, Mark received his award for Services to International Angling and the Angling Trust, a worthy plaudit for a literal lifetime spent fishing for and managing his country at the highest level and enjoying plenty of success along the way.
Making the England team back in 1975 at the tender age of 21, Mark then took over the England reigns with Mark Addy as Co-Managers from match fishing legend Dick Clegg in 2001, a position he still holds today. In that time, he’s won almost everything going, as well as seeing over half a dozen anglers being crowned individual World Champion. It’s a career that’s seen England ranked number one in the world and one of the most feared teams on the bank.
“It was a lovely day and to be honest, I expected a 30 second chat with the King, nothing more,” Mark revealed. “In fact, we chatted for what seemed like ages, although it was probably about 90 seconds. Charles seemed very interested in fishing and knew about coarse fishing and different species like chub and roach. We had a few laughs and smiles. A very special day.”
Mark joins the likes of Dick Clegg, Alan Scotthorne and Bob Nudd as English match anglers with an MBE, and although he can now officially call himself Mark Downes MBE, it’s not something he’s remotely interested in flaunting.
“I want the award to acknowledge everyone who has got me to where I am, from family and friends to anglers and teammates down the years, especially my wife Helen and daughters Kate and Liz, who have supported me all of the way,” he said. “It’s been secured off the back of being associated with some of the best anglers England has ever produced. I fished with and then managed a great generation of anglers that continues to this day. This MBE is for them as much as it is for me.”
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