“Leave the football before the football leaves you,” is a Jamie Carragher remark that has been widely distributed in mainstream media in recent years, and it is regularly used by opposing supporters when a player in their twilight shows indications of failing in the Premier League. While generally joking, there is a strange subset of footballers who refuse to hang up their boots, frequently ending up in far-flung leagues only to continue on the pitch.
Former England internationals have produced some outstanding performances over the years. Nicky Butt spent time with South China AA, and David James played with Kerala Blasters in India. Jesse Lingard has recently gained celebrity status in South Korea during his time at FC Seoul.
While today’s former Three Lions would find it difficult to make such a transfer without making headlines, there is one player who has just been discovered at a startling new club at the age of 34 – and regrettably, he is only garnering attention after being thrashed 8-0.
Andros Townsend Spotted Playing For Thai League One Club
While everyone was preoccupied with the drama of the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga – another Englishman moving abroad – many may have overlooked Thai League 1 club Kanchanaburi Power’s brilliant transfer announcement for former Tottenham and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, which featured him standing on the famous Bridge over the River Kwai.
The ex-England international, who scored three goals in 13 caps between 2013 and 2016, moved to Thailand after his initial transfer from Luton Town to Antalyaspor in Turkey in 2024 fell through. Wage concerns, as the winger was not paid, drove him to search elsewhere. Recognising that his injury problems in the final stages of his Premier League career were unlikely to improve, he chose to move even further east. See him in action below:
Those who saw the footage were eager to point out the pitch’s poor condition. What they may not have understood was that the outcome for Townsend’s team was even worse, with Kanchanaburi losing 8-0 to Port FC, who had only scored seven goals in their previous six games combined.
What Motivated Townsend’s Move to Kanchanaburi Power?
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