Chris Townsley

Chris Townsley (born March 4, 1985) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a defender. He has played for Alloa Athletic since 2004.

Townsley came through the youth setup at Ross County having previously been affiliated to Hearts as a youngster. Townsley moved on loan to Alloa Athletic for the 2004/05 season and made his debut for the club against Elgin City . Townsley became a regular starter in defence in the same year, scoring his first goal in November against Ayr United. Thanks to a late surge, Alloa were to avoid relegation that season.

Townsley returned to Alloa for a second loan spell at the start of 2005/06 but was then released from Ross County early in the season and immediately signed a permament contract with Alloa. He featured heavily during 2005/06 and turned in some excellent performances after the turn of the year when Alloa went on a fine run of results and avoided relegation through the play-offs.

2006/07 was a frustating season for Townsley who suffered persistent injury problems and required surgery on some damaged tissue in his knee. [ [http://www.alloaathletic.co.uk/newsArticle.asp?n=16 Townsley requires surgery] ] After a seven-month layoff between September 2006 and April 2007, he returned and, in his first game back in the side, he scored a goal in a crucial 4-3 away victory against fellow relegation strugglers Stranraer.

Chris Townsley has now made over 130 appearances for Alloa and was recently named Alloa club player of the year.

Away from football Chris Townsley is a student at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh where he studies sports science.

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