Townsend run over by pitch roller in Thailand – and jokes about Stoke

Former England winger Andros Townsend was run over by a pitch roller before a game in Thailand, but he kept his sense of humor, joking that playing Stoke away "wasn't so bad after all". The incident caused a brief delay and highlights the unpredictable nature of pre‑match routines. Townsend will still take the field for his club in the upcoming match.

Andros Townsend, the former England winger, found himself in the middle of a bizarre pre‑match incident in Thailand when a pitch roller ran over him. The heavy machine, used to level the playing surface, unexpectedly struck the player as he was preparing for the upcoming match.

The incident caused a brief delay in the start of the game, as the stadium staff worked to ensure the pitch was safe for play. Townsend emerged from the mishap unharmed, but the moment was enough to prompt a flurry of media attention.

Despite the unusual start, Townsend kept his sense of humor, joking that playing Stoke away “wasn’t so bad after all”. The comment references his past experience playing for Stoke City and shows his willingness to laugh at the situation.

Townsend is traveling with his club for a match in Thailand, where the team will face a local opponent. The incident, while odd, has not altered the team's plans, and the match is expected to proceed as scheduled.

With the pitch cleared and the team ready, Townsend will take the field for his club in the upcoming match. Fans can look forward to seeing him back in action after the brief, unexpected interruption.