A goalkeeper he played for Nuneaton Borough, before moving to Derby County as a wartime guest, then becoming a professional player, he would then end his career at Burton Albion and Banbury Spencer.
Townsend started his footballing career as a teenager at home town Nuneaton Borough before joining Derby County in 1939 as a wartime guest player.
[2] As league football returned the following season, Townsend would start as third choice keeper behind Woodley and Alick Grant.
[6] Terry Webster and Harry Brown took over goalkeeping duties and when Ray Middleton joined in 1951, Townsend went two years and nine months without making a first team appearance.
[10] Bill Townsend at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database