Andros Townsend put his heart and soul into keeping Newcastle up, father claims

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The winger left St. James’ Park for Crystal Palace in the summer.

Andros Townsend was one of the few Newcastle United players who put their heart and soul into keeping the club afloat last season, his father told Talksport on Wednesday.

Townsend arrived at St. James’ Park from Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window and scored four goals, assisting a further two, in 13 Premier League appearances.

However, the winger’s efforts weren’t enough to keep the Magpies from dropping into the Championship and he soon departed for Crystal Palace.

The move didn’t go down especially well on Tyneside, but according to Townsend’s father Troy, it wasn’t a decision he took lightly.

“It was a tug-of-war situation,” Townsend Snr told Talksport. “I mean, Rafa done absolute wonders for him, ideally he would have loved to stay at the club. But if you’re gonna be noticed, if you’re gonna be recognised – obviously he had a massive disappointment in the summer (not being picked for the Euros) – and if you’re going to get yourself back in the area that he wants to be then unfortunately the Premier League is the only place to be.

FA Grass Roots Heroes Troy Townsend and June Kelly pose with former England manager Roy Hodgson

“That’s obviously disappointing for Newcastle fans. But for the six months he was there I’m not sure there was another player – well there was a few – that put their heart and soul to try and keep that club where it rightly deserves to be.

“I know that some fans have not taken it in the right way and I can understand that, but it just goes to prove how much he did do in the time he was there.”

Townsend has registered a goal and assist for Palace in seven Premier League appearances so far, helping his new side to eighth in the standings following an initial slow start.

And his decision looks to be paying off on the international front as well, with the 25-year-old called into Gareth Southgate’s first England squad.

Townsend has scored three goals in 11 outings for the Three Lions, for whom he was instrumental during their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign – although he went on to miss the finals through injury.