Andy enjoyed a career spanning two decades, in which time he would make himself a Premier League icon. His inspirational journey as a player began outside of the football league and ended with 70 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Townsend was 21 years old when he moved to Southampton from Weymouth in 1985, having spent his youth career at Welling United. He would spend three years at the club, proving himself a talismanic midfield player whose influence was growing.
After 83 appearances for Southampton, Townsend took his tough tackling and eye for goal to Norwich City in 1988. He quickly proved himself a key player for the Canaries, helping them to an impressive fourth-place finish in the top flight, as well as an FA Cup semi-final. He was shortlisted for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.
His performances would earn him his first senior appearance for the Republic of Ireland, where, in the summer of 1990, he would make his World Cup debut, helping the team to their highest ever World Cup finish, a quarter-final. At the World Cup, he would be captain of the Republic of Ireland in 1994. They once again reached the knockout stage before falling short to The Netherlands. Later, he would be inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame 2015.
Townsend moved to Chelsea on the back of a productive spell with Norwich City in a £1.2 million transfer. He made 138 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals and proving to be an important player before a £2.1 million move materialised to Aston Villa in 1993.
At Aston Villa Townsend would become a club and Premier League icon. He would go on to captain the side, as well as play a major role in the 1994 and 1996 League Cup victories. He would then pull on a Middlesborough shirt, where he would prove central to the club's return to the Premier League after forming a formidable partnership with Paul Gascgoigne. He helped the club to stay in the league in his second season.
Since stepping away from his playing career, Townsend has emerged as one of the game's most treasured commentators and pundits. He has co-hosted on Talksport, Soccer Night and BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as presented coverage of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup for ITV and BT Sport. He has also featured on FIFA 12 all the way to FIFA 17. As an after-dinner football speaker, there are few as entertaining and engaging as Andy Townsend.
