Nick Townsend
Personal information
Full name Nicholas Peter Townsend[1]
Date of birth (1994-11-01) 1 November 1994[2]
Place of birth Solihull,[3] England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.81 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Newport County
Number 1
Youth career
– Callowbrook Swifts
2003–2013 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Birmingham City 0 (0)
2013 → Oxford City (loan) 9 (0)
2014 → Lincoln City (loan) 14 (0)
2014–2015 → Lincoln City (loan) 17 (0)
2015 → Barnsley (loan) 0 (0)
2015–2018 Barnsley 16 (0)
2017 → Solihull Moors (loan) 5 (0)
2018– Newport County 107 (0)
International career‡
2022– Antigua and Barbuda 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:14, 6 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:40, 2 April 2023 (UTC)

Nicholas Peter Townsend (born 1 November 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League Two club Newport County. Born in England, he represents the Antigua and Barbuda national team.

Townsend began his career with Birmingham City, but never appeared for their first team. He spent time on loan with Conference North club Oxford City and Lincoln City of the Conference Premier before joining Championship club Barnsley, initially on loan, in 2015. In 2017, he had a brief loan spell with National League club Solihull Moors before being released by Barnsley at the end of the 2017–18 season.

Early life and career

Townsend was born in Solihull, West Midlands, where he attended Alderbrook Secondary School.[3] He and his father had season tickets at Birmingham City, and the seven-year-old Townsend was at the 2002 play-off final at which the club were promoted to the Premier League for the first time.[4] He joined Birmingham City's youth academy as an under-nine,[3] and took up a scholarship in July 2011.[1]

He was given a squad number in January 2013 after previous third-choice goalkeeper David Lucas left the club,[5] and, with the sale of first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland pending, he was an unused substitute as Colin Doyle started the FA Cup third round defeat against Leeds United.[6] Butland signed for Stoke City, but was loaned back until the end of the season,[7] so Townsend returned to third choice. He spent a spell on loan at Oxford City,[8] for whom he went straight into the starting eleven and played nine Conference North matches and two in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.[9]

Professional football

At the end of the season, Townsend signed a one-year professional contract with Birmingham City, with the option of a further year.[10] A fractured hand kept him out of the 2013–14 pre-season friendlies, but he was given a squad number and a place on the bench for the League Cup second-round match at Yeovil Town in late August after Darren Randolph sustained a broken nose and gashed hand during the previous match.[11]

Lincoln City (loans)

After Lincoln City's regular goalkeeper, Paul Farman, was injured in February 2014, Townsend joined the Conference Premier club on a month's youth loan;[12] he was recommended by fellow Birmingham youngster Charlee Adams who was already on loan there.[13] He went straight into the starting eleven for the home match against Kidderminster Harriers, kept a clean sheet,[14] his performance in his second game, a 1–1 draw with Chester, earned him a spot in The Non-League Paper's Team of the Week,[3] and he kept his place for the remaining 12 matches of the season.[15]

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Birmingham took up their option on Townsend's contract[16] and gave him squad number 30.[17] After a trial in pre-season with Mansfield Town[18] came to nothing, and no other League clubs showed any interest, Townsend reportedly told Birmingham that if he had to play at Conference level again, he would prefer to return to Lincoln City. He signed a season-long loan with that club ahead of their last pre-season fixture and according to manager Gary Simpson was being brought in as first choice.[19] He did indeed go straight into the starting eleven, and kept his place for the first 17 Conference matches of the season.[20] However, Birmingham had sacked manager Lee Clark just before Lincoln's first FA Cup tie of the season fell due, and were not prepared to let Townsend become cup-tied before a new manager was appointed. Lincoln had to recall Farman from loan at Boston United to play in the Cup,[21] and when the Conference programme resumed, Townsend found himself on the bench. By January 2015, he had made no more appearances, so Birmingham recalled him.[22]

Return to Birmingham

He played regularly for the development squad, and captained the team that won the Birmingham Senior Cup.[4][23] After long-time backup goalkeeper Colin Doyle was released at the end of the season, Townsend signed a new two-year contract, with the option of a third year, and according to the club website, was expected to take up Doyle's role.[4] When Tomasz Kuszczak and Adam Legzdins joined the club, Townsend again dropped to third choice, and in early August, he signed for League One club Barnsley on a youth loan until 1 November.[24]

Barnsley

Townsend was on the bench for Barnsley's opening league match of the season, but made his debut three days later in the League Cup visit to Scunthorpe United. The score was 1–1 after 90 minutes and after extra time, so went to a penalty shootout. Although Townsend did not save any of the kicks, his side won the shootout 7–6 after a Scunthorpe miss.[25] He signed a three-year contract with the club for an undisclosed fee on 1 September.[26] Townsend made his Football League debut on 12 September at home to Swindon Town, after Adam Davies was dropped as one of several changes made by manager Lee Johnson. Lack of communication between Townsend and his defender gifted Swindon the lead via an own goal, but both made up for their errors later in the game as Barnsley won 4–1. According to Barnsley News and Sport, "Townsend was erratic in his judgement in leaving his line on occasions, as witnessed by the confusion over the own goal, but made three good saves".[27][28] He kept his place until the end of October, but that was the last he played in the season.[29]

In need of first-team football, Townsend joined National League club Solihull Moors in October 2017 on an initial one-month loan.[30] He made five appearances before returning to his parent club. In February 2018, Davies was dropped after a run of 123 starts and Townsend played eight Championship matches before Davies resumed his place.[31] Townsend was released at the end of the season.[32]

Newport County

On 4 August 2018, Townsend joined League Two side Newport County, signing a two-year contract.[33] He made his debut for Newport on 14 August 2018 in a 4–1 win against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup first round.[34] In April 2021 Townsend signed a two year contract extension with Newport until the end of the 2022-23 season.[35] Townsend was an unused substitute for Newport in the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021 which Newport lost to Morecambe, 1-0 after a 107th minute penalty.[36] In June 2023 Townsend signed a contract extension for a further two years.[37]

International career

On 3 June 2022 Townsend made his international debut for Antigua and Barbuda, playing the full match in the 1–0 win against Barbados.[38]

Career statistics

As of match played 11 November 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Birmingham City 2012–13[39] Championship 000000—00
2013–14[15] Championship 000000—00
2014–15[20] Championship000000—00
2015–16[29] Championship000000—00
Total 000000—00
Oxford City (loan) 2012–13[9] Conference North90——2[lower-alpha 1]0110
Lincoln City (loan) 2013–14[15] Conference Premier140———140
2014–15[20] Conference Premier170——00170
Total 310——00310
Barnsley 2015–16[29] League One8000101[lower-alpha 2]0100
2016–17[40] Championship000000—00
2017–18[41] Championship800000—80
Total 160001010180
Solihull Moors (loan) 2017–18[41] National League50———50
Newport County 2018–19[42] League Two 3010204[lower-alpha 2]0100
2019–20[43] League Two 5020205[lower-alpha 2]0140
2020–21[44] League Two 380103000420
2021–22[45] League Two 19000203[lower-alpha 2]0240
2022–23[46] League Two 18000102[lower-alpha 2]0210
2023–24[47] League Two 15010101[lower-alpha 2]0180
Total 980501101501290
Career total 1590501201801940

International

As of match played 26 March 2023[48]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Antigua and Barbuda 202240
2023 2 0
Total60

Honours

Barnsley

References

  1. 1 2 "List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2011 and 31/07/2011". The Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Barnsley FC Player Profiles: Nick Townsend". Barnsley F.C. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Lewis, Peter (12 March 2014). "U21s spotlight – Nick Townsend". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Nick Townsend pens new Blues contract". Birmingham City F.C. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. ↑ Walker, Andy (1 January 2013). "Lucas joins Fleetwood". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Tattum, Colin (19 January 2013). "Lee Clark: 'We are looking to the next few weeks for Keith Fahey to rejoin us'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Birmingham City keeper Jack Butland moves to Stoke City". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Walker, Andy (21 March 2013). "Ox trail for Nick". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 "The matches: 2012". Oxford City FC – History & Statistics. Chris Byrne. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Tattum, Colin (21 May 2013). "Chris Burke: 'I have contributed this season but I have not met my own expectations'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Tattum, Colin (27 August 2013). "Cup clash at Yeovil now a crunch clash for Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Nick Townsend: Lincoln City sign Birmingham goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  13. ↑ "Lincoln City manager Gary Simpson runs the rule over Birmingham City goalkeeper". Lincolnshire Echo. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Pakey, John (17 February 2014). "Nick Townsend 'buzzing' after earning a clean sheet on his debut for Lincoln City". Lincolnshire Echo. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  16. ↑ Walker, Andy (30 April 2014). "Decision made on future of seven youngsters". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "2014/15 Blues squad numbers announced". Birmingham City F.C. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  18. ↑ Priest, Craig (21 July 2014). "Nick Townsend is the right choice to replace Alan Marriott". Mansfield Chad. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  19. ↑ Pakey, John (2 August 2014). "Nick Townsend will be Lincoln City's first choice goalkeeper after signing from Birmingham City on loan". Lincolnshire Echo. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Lincoln City: Paul Farman recalled from loan for FA Cup tie". BBC Sport. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "Townsend back from the Imps". Birmingham City F.C. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  23. ↑ Lewis, Peter (30 April 2015). "Blues win the Senior Cup". Birmingham City F.C. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  24. ↑ Chapman, Joseph (4 August 2015). "Birmingham City goalkeeper heads out on loan". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Scunthorpe 1–1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Official: Nick Townsend joins Barnsley on permanent deal". Birmingham City F.C. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  27. ↑ O'Kane, Doug (12 September 2015). "Reds recover from own goal to crush Swindon". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  28. ↑ "Johnson shuffles his pack and comes up with a winning hand". Barnsley News and Sport. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Nick Townsend joins Solihull Moors on loan". Barnsley F.C. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  31. ↑ "Scowen sinks Reds despite QPR red card". Barnsley Chronicle. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  32. ↑ "Adam Hammill: Barnsley release winger after relegation to League One". BBC Sport. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  33. ↑ "Newport are delighted to announce the signing of Goalkeeper Nick Townsend". Newport County A.F.C. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  34. ↑ Townsend debut for Newport
  35. ↑ Townsend contract extension
  36. ↑ Morecambe beat Newport
  37. ↑ Townsend further contract extension
  38. ↑ Townsend international debut
  39. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  41. 1 2 "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  48. ↑ "Nick Townsend". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  49. ↑ Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  50. ↑ Stevens, Rob (29 May 2016). "Barnsley 3–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
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