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Nick Townsend
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Nicholas Peter Townsend (born 1 November 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club Eastleigh. Born in England, he plays for the Antigua and Barbuda national team.
Key Information
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
[edit]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
[edit]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)
[edit]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 kept a clean sheet in the home match against Kidderminster Harriers on 15 February,[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.[14]
Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Birmingham took up their option on Townsend's contract[15] and gave him squad number 30.[16] After a trial in pre-season with Mansfield Town[17] 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.[18] He did indeed go straight into the starting eleven, and kept his place for the first 17 Conference matches of the season.[19] 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,[20] 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.[21]
Return to Birmingham
[edit]He played regularly for the development squad, and captained the team that won the Birmingham Senior Cup.[4][22] 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.[23]
Barnsley
[edit]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.[24] He signed a three-year contract with the club for an undisclosed fee on 1 September.[25] 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".[26][27] He kept his place until the end of October, but that was the last he played in the season.[28]
In need of first-team football, Townsend joined National League club Solihull Moors in October 2017 on an initial one-month loan.[29] 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.[30] Townsend was released at the end of the season.[31]
Newport County
[edit]On 4 August 2018, Townsend joined League Two side Newport County, signing a two-year contract.[32] He made his debut for Newport on 14 August 2018 in a 4–1 win against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup first round.[33] In April 2021 Townsend signed a two-year contract extension with Newport until the end of the 2022–23 season.[34] 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.[35] In June 2023 Townsend signed a contract extension for a further two years.[36] He was selected as Newport County Player of the Year for the 2023–24 season[37] and the 2024-25 season.[38]
On 9 June 2025, the club announced he would leave when his contract expired.[39]
Eastleigh
[edit]On 12 June 2025 Townsend signed for National League club Eastleigh.[40]
International career
[edit]Born in England, Townsend is of Antiguan descent through a grandfather.[41] On 3 June 2022, he made his international debut for Antigua and Barbuda, playing the full match in the 1–0 win against Barbados in the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League.[42]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of 29 April 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Birmingham City | 2012–13[43] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013–14[14] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15[19] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16[28] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Oxford City (loan) | 2012–13[9] | Conference North | 9 | 0 | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Lincoln City (loan) | 2013–14[14] | Conference Premier | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2014–15[19] | Conference Premier | 17 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |||
| Total | 31 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||||
| Barnsley | 2015–16[28] | League One | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2016–17[44] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18[45] | Championship | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Solihull Moors (loan) | 2017–18[45] | National League | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| Newport County | 2018–19[33] | League Two | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019–20[46] | League Two | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2020–21[47] | League Two | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| 2021–22[48] | League Two | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| 2022–23[49] | League Two | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[50] | League Two | 43 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 52 | 0 | |
| Total | 126 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 163 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 187 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 228 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearances in Oxfordshire Senior Cup
- ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Football League/EFL Trophy
International
[edit]- As of match played 5 June 2024[51]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 2022 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "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 on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ a b "Barnsley FC Player Profiles: Nick Townsend". Barnsley F.C. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b c "Nick Townsend pens new Blues contract". Birmingham City F.C. 15 May 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ Walker, Andy (1 January 2013). "Lucas joins Fleetwood". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Birmingham City keeper Jack Butland moves to Stoke City". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "The matches: 2012". Oxford City FC – History & Statistics. Chris Byrne. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Tattum, Colin (27 August 2013). "Cup clash at Yeovil now a crunch clash for Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Nick Townsend: Lincoln City sign Birmingham goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ "Lincoln City look set to swoop for Birmingham City youngster Nick Townsend as they aim to solve their goalkeeping crisis". Lincolnshire Echo. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2024 – via Gale OneFile: News.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Lincoln City: Paul Farman recalled from loan for FA Cup tie". BBC Sport. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Townsend back from the Imps". Birmingham City F.C. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ Lewis, Peter (30 April 2015). "Blues win the Senior Cup". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ Chapman, Joseph (4 August 2015). "Birmingham City goalkeeper heads out on loan". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Scunthorpe 1–1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Barnsley sign Birmingham City goalkeeper Nick Townsend". Sky Sports. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ O'Kane, Doug (12 September 2015). "Reds recover from own goal to crush Swindon". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ^ "Nick Townsend joins Solihull Moors on loan". Barnsley F.C. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- ^ "Scowen sinks Reds despite QPR red card". Barnsley Chronicle. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Adam Hammill: Barnsley release winger after relegation to League One". BBC Sport. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Newport are delighted to announce the signing of Goalkeeper Nick Townsend". Newport County A.F.C. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Nick Townsend: Newport County goalkeeper signs two-year contract extension". BBC Sport. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "League Two play-off final: Morecambe 1–0 Newport County – Morecambe promoted to League One for first time in club's history". BBC Sport. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Nick Townsend: Goalkeeper signs new Newport County deal". BBC Sport. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Awards Evening 2023/24". Newport County A.F.C. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Awards Evening 2024/25". Newport County A.F.C. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Nick Townsend: Goalkeeper departs Newport County". BBC Sport. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "Newport County: Nick Townsend joins Eastleigh after Rodney Parade departure". BBC Sport. 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Nick Townsend: Newport keeper earns Antigua and Barbuda call-up". BBC Sport. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Kirwan, Chris (3 June 2022). "Newport County: Nick Townsend makes Antigua and Barbuda bow". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Nick Townsend in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Nick Townsend". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ Stevens, Rob (29 May 2016). "Barnsley 3–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
External links
[edit]- Nick Townsend at Soccerbase
- Nick Townsend at Soccerway
Nick Townsend
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Youth and family background
Nick Townsend was born on 1 November 1994 in Solihull, West Midlands, England, to parents of English descent.[7] He attended Alderbrook Secondary School in Solihull.[8] His family background includes Antiguan ancestry through his paternal grandfather, who originated from the Caribbean island nation, though this heritage was initially difficult to document due to gaps in birth records.[9] Growing up in the Solihull area during his early childhood, Townsend's initial exposure to football came before his entry into professional youth systems, shaped by the local football culture in the West Midlands. He and his father, Colin, held season tickets at Birmingham City, and one of his earliest memories was attending the 2002 play-off final with his father at age seven.[8] By the age of nine, he had begun formal training, reflecting an early passion for the sport nurtured in his hometown environment.[3]Entry into football
Townsend joined the Birmingham City academy at the age of nine in 2003, beginning his organized football journey at the club's Wast Hills training ground.[3] He progressed steadily through the youth ranks, starting with the under-9s and advancing to the under-17 team, where he featured during the 2009/10, 2010/11, and 2011/12 seasons.[10] By the 2013/14 campaign, Townsend had reached the under-18 level, serving as a goalkeeper in the squad as the team competed in youth leagues and cup competitions.[11] Throughout his academy years, Townsend honed his skills in various youth tournaments, though specific early appearances and recognitions remain limited in public records.[12]Club career
Birmingham City youth and loans
Townsend signed his first professional contract with Birmingham City in May 2013, at the age of 18, securing a one-year deal with an option for an additional year.[13] This agreement marked his transition from the club's youth academy to professional terms, though he remained part of the development squad initially. To gain senior experience, Townsend was loaned to Conference North club Oxford City in March 2013.[14] During the spell, he made 9 appearances, conceding 13 goals while keeping 1 clean sheet, providing his initial exposure to competitive adult football.[15] Later that year, in February 2014, he joined Conference Premier side Lincoln City on an initial one-month youth loan, which was extended into a season-long arrangement starting August 2014 and lasting until January 2015.[16] [17] At Lincoln, Townsend featured in 31 matches, conceding 41 goals and achieving 10 clean sheets; notable performances included a shutout in the home fixture against Kidderminster Harriers.[15] These loans helped establish his reliability as a young goalkeeper, though he saw no first-team action for Birmingham beyond occasional bench appearances, such as in their FA Cup replay against Leeds United in January 2014.[16] In May 2015, shortly before departing the club, Townsend agreed to a new two-year contract with Birmingham City, including an option for a further year that extended potential coverage to 2018.[12] Despite the extension, he made no competitive appearances for the first team during his tenure, focusing instead on further development opportunities away from St Andrew's.[18]Barnsley
In August 2015, Nick Townsend joined Barnsley on a season-long youth loan from Birmingham City, making his professional debut for the club in a 2–0 League Cup win over Fleetwood Town on 11 August.[19] His performances during the initial loan period led to a permanent transfer on 1 September 2015, when he signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[20] Townsend featured in EFL League One during the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, primarily as a backup to first-choice goalkeeper Adam Davies, with whom he competed for playing time alongside backup goalkeepers such as Jack Walton. He made eight league appearances in 2015–16, contributing to Barnsley's third-place finish and subsequent playoff semi-final run, where they lost to Millwall.[22] In 2016–17, Townsend appeared in a handful of matches as Barnsley secured fourth place and won promotion to the Championship via the playoffs, defeating Millwall 3–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.[1] In October 2017, Townsend joined National League North club Solihull Moors on a one-month loan, making 5 appearances.[23] Following promotion, Townsend saw increased opportunities in the 2017–18 Championship season, registering eight league appearances early in the campaign before a broken finger injury sustained in a training-ground altercation with teammate Dimitri Cavaré sidelined him for the remainder of the year.[24] Overall, he made 18 appearances across all competitions during his time at Barnsley, conceding 25 goals.[1] Townsend's contract expired at the end of the 2017–18 season, and he was released by Barnsley in June 2018 after the club suffered relegation back to League One.[25]Newport County
Townsend joined Newport County on a two-year contract in August 2018, arriving from Barnsley as a 23-year-old with prior EFL experience.[26] He quickly established himself as a key squad member, competing with Joe Day for the goalkeeper position during his initial seasons in EFL League Two.[26] Over the next few years, Townsend signed multiple extensions, committing to a two-year deal in April 2021 that ran until summer 2023, followed by another two-year extension in June 2023 that kept him at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season.[25][27] Townsend became the first-choice goalkeeper from the 2021/22 season onward, making 209 appearances across all competitions during his seven-year stint, contributing to the team's defensive efforts in League Two.[28] He was an unused substitute in the 2021 League Two play-off final 0–1 defeat to Morecambe at Wembley. That season also marked the club's historic run to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with the team achieving victories over Championship sides Swansea City and Watford before losing 1–1 (4–5 on penalties) to Newcastle United.[25][29] Townsend's tenure included further notable moments, such as the 2023/24 FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United, where Newport held the Premier League champions to a 2–4 defeat at Rodney Parade after taking a two-goal lead.[30] In the 2024/25 League Two season, he earned the club's Player of the Month award for February after keeping four clean sheets in six matches, underscoring his personal impact amid a challenging campaign for the team.[31] Overall, he recorded 53 clean sheets during his time at Newport, reflecting his reliability as the Exiles' primary shot-stopper.[15] Townsend departed Newport County in June 2025 upon the expiration of his contract, opting to pursue a new opportunity despite being offered a renewal by the club.[28] He left as a fans' favorite, having won the Supporters' Player of the Year award for the previous two seasons and capping a professional EFL spell that solidified his reputation for longevity and steady performances in League Two.[28]Eastleigh
In June 2025, Nick Townsend signed with National League club Eastleigh following the expiration of his contract at Newport County.[32] The move marked his transition to non-league football, where he was brought in to provide experienced goalkeeping stability under manager Kelvin Davis.[3] As of November 2025, Townsend has established himself as Eastleigh's first-choice goalkeeper during the 2025-26 season, making 18 league appearances and logging 1,620 minutes.[33] He has conceded 25 goals, averaging 1.39 per game, while securing 3 clean sheets that have contributed to key results, including a 2-1 victory over Southend United in September.[33][34] Notably, Townsend saved a penalty from Manny Duku in a September match against Tamworth, though Eastleigh lost 1-0.[35] Townsend has adapted well to the demands of National League football, emphasizing his distribution skills and shot-stopping to support Eastleigh's defensive organization.[36] His performances have been instrumental in stabilizing the backline amid a challenging start to the season, with the team relying on his experience from EFL levels to mentor younger defenders. While specific leadership roles have not been formally assigned, Townsend's vocal presence in goal has been highlighted as a positive influence in building team resilience.[36] Townsend remains under contract with Eastleigh through at least the end of the 2025-26 season, positioning him as a long-term asset for the club's ambitions in the National League.[7] His ongoing contributions suggest potential for further development in non-league, with early form indicating a successful integration into the Spitfires' setup.[33]International career
Antigua and Barbuda debut and caps
Townsend became eligible to represent Antigua and Barbuda through his paternal grandfather's heritage from the Caribbean nation, despite being born in Solihull, England.[9] The process to confirm his eligibility proved challenging, requiring four years of effort to gather necessary documentation after initial hurdles with missing names on his grandfather's birth certificate; this culminated in professional DNA testing under scientific conditions, costing several hundred pounds, and ultimately securing an Antiguan passport.[9] His first call-up came swiftly in 2022, facilitated by a connection with the Antiguan Football Association through an international agent, allowing him to integrate into the squad with just a day of preparation alongside teammates before taking the field.[9] Townsend made his senior international debut on 3 June 2022, starting in a 1–0 victory over Barbados during the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League qualifiers.[37] As of October 2024, Townsend has accumulated 11 caps for Antigua and Barbuda in official competitions, earned across qualifiers for major tournaments.[38] While his club form, particularly during his time at Newport County, contributed to his selections, he has occasionally prioritized domestic commitments by declining call-ups to maintain his starting position, including in November 2024.[5] He has not earned additional caps since, focusing on his club career at Eastleigh as of November 2025.[39]Notable international matches
Townsend made his international debut for Antigua and Barbuda on 3 June 2022 in a 1–0 away victory over Barbados during the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League, securing a clean sheet in the process.[40] Three days later, on 6 June 2022, he started in a 1–0 home win against Guadeloupe, again keeping a clean sheet against a regionally stronger side ranked higher in CONCACAF standings.[41] These back-to-back shutouts marked an impressive start, contributing to Antigua and Barbuda's promotion from League B Group A, where Townsend played all matches as the primary goalkeeper, helping stabilize a defense that had historically conceded heavily in regional competitions.[7] In the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League, Townsend featured in four matches, including a 0–1 away defeat to Guadeloupe on 24 March 2023 and a 1–2 home loss to Barbados on 26 March 2023.[42] His most challenging outing came on 16 June 2023 in the Gold Cup preliminary round, where Antigua and Barbuda suffered a 0–5 home loss to Guadeloupe, though Townsend made several key saves to prevent an even larger margin.[43] These games underscored his role in defensive resilience amid Antigua and Barbuda's mid-table positioning in League B, where the team relied on his shot-stopping to compete against more established Caribbean opponents. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Townsend was pivotal in key ties. On 5 June 2024, he earned a 1–1 draw against Bermuda with multiple crucial saves, including a late stop to deny a winner, helping secure Antigua and Barbuda's progression from Group A.[44] He followed with a clean sheet in a 1–0 away win over Cayman Islands on 8 June 2024, his second shutout against a lower-ranked side and a key factor in the team's second-round advancement.[45] However, October 2024 brought heavy 0–5 defeats to the Dominican Republic in both home and away legs during the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities despite Townsend's efforts in goal.[42]Career statistics
Club appearances and goals
Nick Townsend, as a goalkeeper, has not scored any goals in his club career but has recorded numerous appearances, clean sheets, and goals conceded across various leagues. His statistics reflect a progression from loan spells in non-league football to established roles in the English Football League and National League. The following table summarizes his club career totals by club, encompassing league and cup competitions, as of November 15, 2025.[15][1]| Club | Years Active | Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford City (loan) | 2013 | 9 | 13 | 1 |
| Lincoln City (loan) | 2014–2015 | 31 | 41 | 10 |
| Barnsley | 2015–2018 | 18 | 25 | 2 |
| Solihull Moors (loan) | 2017 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| Newport County | 2018–2025 | 209 | 294 | 53 |
| Eastleigh | 2025–present | 19 | 28 | 3 |
| Career Total | 2013–2025 | 291 | 410 | 69 |
International appearances
Nick Townsend made his international debut for Antigua and Barbuda on 3 June 2022 in a 1–0 victory over Barbados during the CONCACAF Nations League B, where he kept a clean sheet. Since then, he has accumulated 11 caps as the primary goalkeeper, primarily in CONCACAF competitions such as the Nations League, Gold Cup qualifiers, and World Cup qualifiers, with a progression of 4 caps in 2022, 3 in 2023, and 4 in 2024. He has recorded 4 clean sheets and conceded 24 goals, with no goals scored in his international career. No additional appearances in 2025 as of November 15, 2025. No penalties saved are documented in his appearances.[6][38] The following table summarizes his international appearances by year and competition:| Year | Competition | Appearances | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | CONCACAF Nations League B | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| 2023 | CONCACAF Nations League B, Gold Cup Qualifiers | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| 2024 | World Cup Qualifiers CONCACAF, CONCACAF Nations League B | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| Total | - | 11 | 4 | 24 |
Honours and achievements
Club honours
During his time at Barnsley, Townsend was part of the squad that secured promotion to the Championship by winning the 2016 League One play-offs, defeating Millwall 3-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.[47] At Newport County, he contributed to the team's qualification for the 2021 League Two play-offs, serving as an unused substitute in the final against Morecambe at Wembley, where Newport lost 1-0 despite reaching the decisive match. Townsend received several personal accolades during his seven-year stint at Newport County, including the Supporters' Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season, as voted by fans. For the 2023-24 season, he was awarded Away Player of the Year and Player of the Year.[48] He also won the club's Players' Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season honors for 2024-25, recognizing his key role in maintaining League Two status.[49] Additionally, he was named PFA League Two Fans' Player of the Month for February 2025, following a series of strong performances that included multiple clean sheets.[31] Since joining Eastleigh in June 2025, Townsend has helped the team maintain a mid-table position in the National League, sitting 12th as of November 15, 2025, with no major trophies or promotions achieved to date.[50]International honours
During his international career with Antigua and Barbuda, Nick Townsend contributed to several team milestones in regional competitions, though the national team has yet to secure major titles. In the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B, Antigua and Barbuda achieved their best group stage finish under Townsend's involvement by placing third in Group A with three wins and nine points, including victories against Barbados (1–0) and Guadeloupe (1–0).[51] This performance secured their qualification for the preliminary round of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, representing the team's first entry into the tournament's qualifying phase after replacing Trinidad and Tobago following Nicaragua's expulsion for fielding an ineligible player.[52] Townsend earned personal recognition for his goalkeeping in the inaugural June 2022 CONCACAF Nations League window, where he started both group matches, recorded two clean sheets, and earned selection to the official League B Best XI.[53] He continued to deliver standout performances in subsequent fixtures, notably making eight saves in a 1–0 victory over Guadeloupe in March 2023, which helped maintain the team's competitive standing.[54] These efforts underscored his role in Antigua and Barbuda's advances in CONCACAF competitions during his tenure, despite a challenging 2023–24 Nations League campaign where the team finished with four points in Group D.[55] In the 2023 Gold Cup preliminaries, Townsend featured in the single match against Guadeloupe, a 0–5 defeat that ended the team's debut run at the tournament's entry stage, but the qualification itself marked a historic step forward for Antiguan football on the continental level.[56] No individual awards beyond the Nations League Best XI selection have been recorded for Townsend at the international level.References
- https://www.[transfermarkt](/page/Transfermarkt).us/nick-townsend/leistungsdaten/spieler/256221
