Eastleigh have confirmed they have signed Nick Townsend after the goalkeeper left Newport County.
After seven years at The Exiles, the 30-year-old rejected a new contract at Rodney Parade and left the club this summer to join the National League club. Eastleigh finished 13th in the fifth tier last season, matching their points total from the previous campaign.
Townsend Makes Non-League Switch
The former Barnsley keeper was revealed to be leaving Newport on Tuesday, bringing an end to a seven-year spell in South Wales with two Supporters’ Player of the Year awards to his name. He played in 43 of County’s 46 league matches, keeping 13 clean sheets as The Exiles comfortably beat the drop but were nowhere near any form of promotion conversation.
The end of the season saw manager Nelson Jardim depart, with Manchester United under-21s coach David Hughes coming in as his successor. No new contracts or signings have been announced by the club yet, with Shane McLoughlin and James Clarke currently in negotiations for a new deal, whilst Aaron Wildig has retired from full-time football.
Joining Eastleigh marks his first time back in non-league football since a loan spell at Solihull Moors, and was previously a regular for Lincoln City during their time in the fifth tier. The Spitfires announced the switch on their club website today, with Townsend saying:
“It’s good [to be here]. I’m glad it’s all done now and it’s an exciting start for me and my family to have a fresh start down here!”
Writers’ View
This is a great signing for Eastleigh to make. Townsend was certainly at a League Two level last season and Newport County wanted to keep him, so for him to move to Hampshire is great for what Kelvin Davis is building. The former Southampton man has got off to a decent start with the National League side and whilst there hasn’t been much progress so far, with Townsend now signed, it could be the start of their ascent towards a play-off push.
