Andros Townsend Run Over by Pitch Roller in Thailand

Former England winger Andros Townsend laughed that playing Stoke away “wasn’t so bad after all” after a bizarre pre‑match incident in Thailand. Townsend, who has spent the last few seasons in the Premier League and the Championship, was scheduled to face Stoke City in a friendly in Bangkok when a group of local fans attempted to give him a surprise “welcome” by throwing a handful of rice at him. The rice, meant to symbolize good luck, landed on his head and caused a brief commotion before the match began.

Townsend, who has been known for his sense of humor on and off the pitch, used the moment to lighten the mood. “I was just standing there, rice on my head, and I thought, ‘Okay, this is definitely not the usual way to start a game,’” he said in a post‑match interview. The friendly, part of the Thai club’s pre‑season tour, ended with a 2‑1 victory for Stoke, and Townsend’s quick wit helped keep the atmosphere relaxed despite the unexpected interruption. The incident, while odd, was quickly resolved and added a memorable anecdote to the matchday experience for both teams.