Nick Townsend

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]

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]

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]

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]