Andros Townsend has opened up about his time at Newcastle United and his eventual departure on the ITV Football podcast.
Townsend only spent a brief amount of time at Newcastle in 2016, as he tried valiantly to save them from relegation.
The England international scored four goals in 13 games, but was unable to keep Newcastle in the top tier.
And, despite the love that he felt at St. James’ Park, Townsend admits that he simply didn’t want to play Championship football.
“It was incredible. I was devastated at the time that the club did get relegated because for myself as a flairy winger, 24,25, who liked to take players on and excite a player it was perfection for me,” the £13 million attacker (Sky) said.
“They absolutely loved me, but unfortunately they got relegated and I did so well that I felt I had to stay in the Premier League and unfortunately made a decision to leave.
“But it’s a massive club, the fan base, the city, the fact that the stadium is in the city centre just adds to it, and hopefully they can get back to where they were before.”
Townsend was so loved by Newcastle that the Magpies have been linked with signing him back multiple times since his departure.
However, he has stuck at Crystal Palace and is now in his fifth season with the Eagles.
Townsend will actually come up against Newcastle this weekend, as Roy Hodgson’s side are set to meet Palace tomorrow evening.
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