He began his senior career in 1996 when he joined Dumfries side Queen of the South, with chairman Norman Blount getting the wheels moving on the club's revival.
Townsley had a late chance to score an equaliser teed up by man of the match Tommy Bryce, but his shot went over the bar.
Now bankrolled by Brooks Mileson and in the Scottish football league system, Townsley re-joined a vastly different club to the non-league outfit that he left early in his career.
The team was then largely 'ripped apart' by Director of Football, Mick Wadsworth, in preparation for their only season in the Scottish Premier League.
In July 2008, Townsley signed for Scottish Football League newcomers Annan Athletic as a player and assistant manager.