Troy Townsend
Troy Donoghue Townsend MBE (born 1 August 1965[1]) is a British anti-racism worker, broadcaster and former footballer. He is head of development at the anti-racism organisation Kick It Out, where he has worked since 2001.[2] He was previously a youth footballer with Millwall and Crystal Palace,[1] and later manager at Leyton, Cheshunt, and coach at Slough Town and Boreham Wood. He is a regular pundit on The Guardian's Football Weekly podcast.[3]
Townsend has been involved with Kick It Out since 2001.[4] In 2013, the Football Association presented him with a Grassroot Hero Award for his anti-racism work.[5] He has been a regular pundit with The Guardian since 2021.[3]
Townsend is the father of professional footballer Andros Townsend.[6] His son Kurtis Townsend was in the youth team at AFC Wimbledon,[1] but died in 2001 following a car accident while travelling to a game for Cheshunt.[7] His nephew is footballer Colin Kazim-Richards.[8]
Townsend was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to diversity and inclusion in association football.[9][10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Rushden, Max; Glendenning, Barry; Townsend, Troy; Grove, Joel; Stephens, Danielle (27 June 2023). "The life and times of Troy Townsend – Football Weekly". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Tweet posted October 27 2021". Kick it Out. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Troy Townsend". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Kick It Out's Townsend: 'We are fed up with hashtags' in fight against racist abuse". ESPN. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "ANDROS AND TROY TOWNSEND TO MAKE FA CUP DRAW ON SUNDAY". 24 January 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "Father of Crystal Palace Winger Andros Townsend Slams West Brom's Appointment of Alan Pardew". 90min.com. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ Shepherd, Sarah. "'The worst thing was having to ring his mum' – Troy Townsend on the death of his son Kurtis". The Athletic. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Brewin, Joe (9 January 2017). "Interview: "I'm not the Coca-Cola Kid – I'm Colin Kazim-Richards" From Bury to Brazil with football's misunderstood globetrotter". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ "No. 64269". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2023. p. N26.
- ^ "Emilia Clarke, Paul Hollywood and Shirley Bassey among stars on new year honours list". The Independent. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.