{{short description|English footballer (born 1976)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Leon Townley | image = | caption = | fullname = Leon Townley<ref>{{Hugman|19816|accessdate=9 November 2016}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|2|16|df=y}} | birth_place = Loughton, England | height = {{height|m=1.88}}<ref name="BrentfordProfile" /> | position = Defender | youthyears1 = 1992–1994 | youthclubs1 = Tottenham Hotspur | years1 = 1994–1997 | clubs1 = Tottenham Hotspur | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 1997–1999 | clubs2 = Brentford | caps2 = 16 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 1999 | clubs3 = → Slough Town (loan) | caps3 = 7 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 1999–2001 | clubs4 = Slough Town | caps4 = 58 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2001–2002 | clubs5 = Aldershot Town | caps5 = 43 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2002 | clubs6 = St Albans City | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2002 | clubs7 = → Windsor & Eton (loan) | caps7 = | goals7 = | years8 = 2002–2004 | clubs8 = Windsor & Eton | caps8 = | goals8 = | years9 = 2004–2005 | clubs9 = Boreham Wood | caps9 = 4 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2005 | clubs10 = Hitchin Town | caps10 = 6 | goals10 = 0 | manageryears1 = 2008–2009 | managerclubs1 = Debden Sports (reserves) }} '''Leon Townley''' (born 16 February 1976) is an English retired semi-professional footballer, best remembered for his spell as a defender with Brentford in the Football League between 1997 and 1999. After his release, he dropped into non-League football and retired from senior football in 2005.
==Career==
===Tottenham Hotspur === Townley began his career as a trainee at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in 1992 and signed a professional contract at the age of 18 in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |title=leon townley – fact file |url=http://archive.mehstg.com/fact_townley_leon.htm |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=archive.mehstg.com}}</ref> Townley received his maiden call into the first team for Spurs' 1995 Intertoto Cup campaign,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tottenham's ill-Fated Venture Into The 1995–96 Intertoto Cup |url=http://hotspurhq.com/2013/07/22/tottenhams-ill-fated-venture-into-the-1995-96-intertoto-cup/ |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=Hotspur HQ – A Tottenham Hotspur Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion, and More}}</ref> though he failed to make an appearance and was an unused substitute during an infamous 8–0 defeat to 1. FC Köln in July 1995.<ref name="theguardian">{{Cite web |title=Inside the Intertoto Cup |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jun/17/newsstory.sport3 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=theguardian.com}}</ref> Townley left White Hart Lane in 1997, after failing to break into the first team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leon Townley |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/leon-townley-18321/ |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=11v11.com}}</ref>
=== Brentford === On 18 September 1997, Townley joined Second Division club Brentford on a three-year contract for a £25,000 fee, rising to £55,000 on appearances.<ref name="Soccerbase">{{Soccerbase|id=8014}}</ref> He made his debut the following day with a starting appearance in a 1–1 home league draw with Wycombe Wanderers.<ref name="soccerbase9798">{{Soccerbase season|8014|1997|access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref> He scored his first Brentford goals in a 3–1 win over Blackpool on 13 December 1997, scoring his first after two Blackpool players were sent off on the hour mark and scoring again in the 78th minute.<ref name="soccerbase9798" /> He fell out of favour with new manager Micky Adams in January 1998 and finished the 1997–98 season with 19 appearances and three goals.<ref name="soccerbase9798" />
After Brentford's relegation to the Third Division in May 1998,<ref>{{Fchd|id=BRENTFOR|name=Brentford F.C.}}</ref> incoming manager Ron Noades elected to transfer-list Townley during the 1998 off-season.<ref name="BBB90s">{{Cite book |last=Croxford |first=Mark |title=The Big Brentford Book Of The Nineties |last2=Lane |first2=David |last3=Waterman |first3=Greville |publisher=Legends Publishing |year=2013 |isbn=9781906796723 |location=Sunbury, Middlesex |page=421}}</ref> He failed to make a single appearance during the Bees' 1998–99 Third Division championship-winning season and instead played for the reserve team.<ref name="BrentfordProfile">{{Cite web |title=Brentford Squad |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/Team/townley.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000526100755/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/Team/townley.htm |archive-date=26 May 2000 |access-date=21 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="BBB90s" /> Townley left the club in September 1999, when his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.<ref name="BBB90s" />
=== Non-League football === Townley joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Slough Town on a one-month loan on 23 August 1999 and the move was made permanent in September 1999.<ref name="Soccerbase" /><ref name="sloughtownfc">{{Cite web |title=Leon Townley |url=https://www.sloughtownfc.net/profile/1142/Leon-Townley |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=SloughTownFC.net – The Official Website of Slough Town FC}}</ref> A virtual ever-present, Townley made a total of 48 appearances in all competitions during the 1999–00 season and scored four goals.<ref name="sloughtownfc" /> He made 33 appearances during the 2000–01 season and left the club after its relegation to the Isthmian League First Division in May 2001.<ref name="sloughtownfc" /><ref name="Slough Town F.C.">{{Fchd|id=SLOUGHT|name=Slough Town F.C.}}</ref> Townley made a total of 81 appearances during his time at Arbour Park and scored four goals.<ref name="sloughtownfc" />
Between 2001 and 2009, Townley played in the Isthmian, Southern and Hertfordshire Senior County Leagues for Aldershot Town, St Albans City, Windsor & Eton, Boreham Wood, Hitchin Town and Debden Sports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leon Townley: 2001/2002 Biography & Statistics |url=http://archive.theshots.co.uk/PlayerDisplay.ink?skip=0&season=01/02&squadno=11016&seasonl=2001/2002&Playertype=p |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=Aldershot Town Football Club}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forward thinking |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/199426.0/ |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=Watford Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Close Season Signings (Eleven) |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=5302 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201171206/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=5302 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com}}</ref><ref name="sacfc3">{{Cite web |title=Leon Townley |url=https://www.saintsstatistics.co.uk/index.php/city-statistics/seasonsquads/team/85 |access-date=20 January 2014 |website=St Albans City F.C. History & Archives}}</ref><ref name="nonleaguedaily2">{{Cite web |title=Double Dose Of Good News For Saints |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=7236 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201171202/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=7236 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Football: Vauxhall Trophy hopes dashed |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97543897.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611022053/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97543897.html |archive-date=11 June 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=Liverpool Echo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Leon Townley (Windsor & Eton) |url=http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/windsor__eton/player/season_132/leon_townley_5100778/index.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819163936/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/windsor__eton/player/season_132/leon_townley_5100778/index.shtml |archive-date=19 August 2016 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=Manchester United FC – United Mad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Berkhamsted T'n 1–2 B.W.F.C. |url=http://www.webteams.co.uk/MatchReport.aspx?team=borehamwoodfc&season=_2006&mid=match77.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223105852/http://www.webteams.co.uk/MatchReport.aspx?team=borehamwoodfc&season=_2006&mid=match77.xml |archive-date=23 February 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=webteams.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=October News Archive |url=http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/news/newsOct05.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202234305/http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/news/newsOct05.htm |archive-date=2 February 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=southern-football-league.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="soccerfactsuk0506">{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2005–2006 Leon Townley |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3246 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305022221/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3246 |archive-date=5 March 2014 |access-date=4 April 2014 |publisher=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Goal Scorers 2007–08 |url=http://www.debdensportsclub.co.uk/Goal_Scorers/Goal_Scorers_2007.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203105858/http://www.debdensportsclub.co.uk/Goal_Scorers/Goal_Scorers_2007.htm |archive-date=3 February 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=debdensportsclub.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Goal Scorers 2008–09 |url=http://www.debdensportsclub.co.uk/Goal_Scorers/Goal_Scorers_2008.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203105903/http://www.debdensportsclub.co.uk/Goal_Scorers/Goal_Scorers_2008.htm |archive-date=3 February 2014 |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=debdensportsclub.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Team Report – Wednesday 29-04-2009 |url=http://www.debdensportsclub.co.uk/Cup_Finals/A_Team_Charity.htm |access-date=20 January 2014 |publisher=debdensportsclub.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Leon Townley |url=http://fishpondersfactsandstats.info/players/townley%20leon.html |access-date=23 February 2020 |website=fishpondersfactsandstats.info}}</ref>
== Career statistics == {{Expand section|1=<nowiki /> * Aldershot Town cup appearances * Cup appearances|date=August 2018}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |FA Cup ! colspan="2" |League Cup ! colspan="2" |Europe ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |Tottenham Hotspur |1995–96<ref name="theguardian" /> |Premier League |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |- |Brentford |1997–98<ref name="soccerbase9798" /> |Second Division |18 |2 |1 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in Football League Trophy</ref> |1 |19 |3 |- | rowspan="3" |Slough Town |1999–00<ref name="sloughtownfc" /> |Isthmian League Premier Division |35 |2 |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |10<ref group="lower-alpha">4 appearances and 1 goal in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, 4 appearances and 1 goal in Isthmian League Full Members Cup, 1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Cup</ref> |2 |48 |4 |- |2000–01<ref name="sloughtownfc" /> |Isthmian League Premier Division |30 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |3<ref group="lower-alpha">1 appearance in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Cup, 1 appearance in Isthmian League Full Members Cup</ref> |0 |33 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !65 !2 !3 !0 ! colspan="2" |— ! colspan="2" |— !13 !2 !81 !4 |- |Aldershot Town |2001–02<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2001–2002 Leon Townley |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2001/player_details.php?playerid=4120 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822015043/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2001/player_details.php?playerid=4120 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |access-date=21 August 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref> |Isthmian League Premier Division |25 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |43 |1 |- |St Albans City |2002–03<ref>{{Cite web |title=Season 2002–03 appearances |url=https://www.saintsstatistics.co.uk/index.php/pictures-video/video/player2/playerlisa/85/?season=7 |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=St Albans City F.C. History & Archives}}</ref> |Isthmian League Premier Division |16 |1 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |2<ref group="lower-alpha">1 appearance and 1 goal in Herts Charity Cup, 1 appearance in Herts Senior Cup</ref> |1 |20 |2 |- | rowspan="3" |Boreham Wood |2004–05<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2004–2005 Leon Townley |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=9814 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822015040/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=9814 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |access-date=21 August 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref> |Southern League First Division East |2 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |2 |0 |- |2005–06<ref name="soccerfactsuk0506" /> |Southern League First Division East |2 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |2 |1 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !4 !1 !0 !0 ! colspan="2" |— ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 !4 !1 |- |Hitchin Town |2005–06<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fixtures 2000–2009 |url=http://fishpondersfactsandstats.info/fixtures/fixtures%202000.html |access-date=23 February 2020 |website=fishpondersfactsandstats.info}}</ref> |Southern League Premier Division |6 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in FA Trophy</ref> |0 |8 |0 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !134 !7 !6 !0 !1 !0 !0 !0 !18 !4 !159 !11 |} <references group="lower-alpha" />
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Townley, Leon}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Loughton Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:English Football League players Category:Brentford F.C. players Category:Slough Town F.C. players Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players Category:St Albans City F.C. players Category:Windsor & Eton F.C. players Category:Boreham Wood F.C. players Category:Hitchin Town F.C. players Category:Isthmian League players Category:Southern Football League players Category:Footballers from Essex