| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Derek Johnstone Townsley | ||
| Date of birth | (1973-01-21)21 January 1973 (age 52) | ||
| Place of birth | Carlisle, England | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Carlisle United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1996 | Gretna | ||
| 1996–1999 | Queen of the South | 59 | (18) |
| 1999–2001 | Motherwell | 54 | (6) |
| 2001–2003 | Hibernian | 43 | (9) |
| 2003–2004 | Oxford United | 11 | (0) |
| 2004–2007 | Gretna | 84 | (23) |
| 2007 | Workington | ||
| 2007 | Newcastle Blue Star | ||
| 2007–2008 | Penrith Town | ||
| 2008–2010 | Annan Athletic | 36 | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2015–2016 | Workington | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 June 2010 | |||
Derek Johnstone Townsley (born 21 January 1973, inCarlisle) is an English former professionalfootballer. His clubs includedGretna,Queen of the South,Motherwell,Hibernian andOxford United. Townsley was normally amidfielder, although he was a versatile player and also played inattack anddefence.
Prior to being a fully professional footballer, Townsley worked as a postman. While in his first spell with Gretna, who were aNorthern Premier League club in theEnglish football league system at the time, he played in theFA Cup first round match against theFirst Division sideBolton. Townsley scored in the match but Gretna lost 3–2.
He began his senior career in 1996 when he joinedDumfries sideQueen of the South, with chairmanNorman Blount getting the wheels moving on the club's revival. Townsley's creative talents made him a mainstay of the team as the club were rebuilding in the late 1990s.[1] The club reached theScottish Challenge Cup final for the first time in 1997.Second Division Queens lost 1–0 toFirst Division sideFalkirk atFir Park. Townsley had a late chance to score an equaliser teed up by man of the matchTommy Bryce, but his shot went over the bar.[2]
Townsley moved into full-time football for the first time at the age of 26 when he joinedMotherwell on 31 May 1999.[3]
He was then signed byHibernian managerAlex McLeish in July 2001 after his contract with Motherwell expired.[4] Townsley struggled to hold down a place under the management of McLeish, but he got into the team more regularly afterBobby Williamson was appointedmanager in February 2002. Townsley also popped up with a few goals, including one in a remarkableEdinburgh derby that finished 4–4. Townsley left Hibs at the end of his contract to sign forOxford United.
Townsley only stayed with Oxford for six months before returning to Gretna. Now bankrolled byBrooks Mileson and in theScottish football league system, Townsley re-joined a vastly different club to the non-league outfit that he left early in his career. He played an important part in Gretna's successivepromotions and played in the2006 Scottish Cup Final. The team was then largely 'ripped apart' byDirector of Football,Mick Wadsworth, in preparation for their only season in theScottish Premier League.[5]
He moved toWorkington in February 2007, before moving ontoNewcastle Blue Star andPenrith Town. In July 2008, Townsley signed forScottish Football League newcomersAnnan Athletic as a player andassistant manager.[6] He announced his retirement from playing at the end of the 2009–10 season, also choosing to step down from his assistant position at the same time.[7]
