Troy Deeney makes surprise return to football aged 36
Troy Deeney has proven he has the cojones for the aptly named Ballers League after sealing his shock return to football. The talkSPORT host’s most famous goal sent Watford to Wembley, and fittingly, he has joined the Wembley Rangers for one night only. Deeney sent Watford fans wild with his last-minute winner against Leicester in 2013Getty Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023Getty The 36-year-old hasn’t played competitively since a cameo for Forest Green Rovers in their 3-0 FA Cup loss to Blackpool in December 2023. That same month, Deeney was promoted from his player-manager role to head coach but was sacked in January after only six games. Over a year later, his return to the game will come on the pitch instead of the dugout on matchday five of the Ballers League. Deeney will be lacing up his boots as a wildcard for the team co-managed by Lioness Chloe Kelly and Arsenal legend Ian Wright. His new team will battle F.C. RTW this evening, looking to build upon their 4-3 win over N5 FC last time out. Deeney had previously teased a footballing comeback on talkSPORT last month following an invite from non-league side SE Dons. The team are currently playing in the Southern Counties East Football League under the name of Forest Hill Park. Owner Andrew McHugh (Don Strapzy) is hoping to earn promotion in their very first year as a semi-pro outfit, with the side one point off the top of the table and extended an invite to get Deeney in action. Speaking on the White & Jordan show with Sam Matterface and Alex Crook in March, Deeney said: “These are friends of mine as well who have obviously grown a huge platform for the YouTube and Sunday League football and turned it into, what it is now, a non-league team. “They’re the first non-league team to be on for the treble, two cups and winning a league in their first season. Deeney drew three and lost three of his six matches at Forest GreenGetty View Tweet: https://t.co/UbwvirgqMP “So I did see G (George Kamurasi), who’s the goalkeeper, in the Euros, he was doing a bit of work out there. And we had a gentleman’s agreement that I’d play one game for them.” Pressed on whether that had sparked his recent fitness uptake, Deeney replied: “Yeah, I’ve got to get fit for the boys. “I’m a man of my word, as you know. I’ll be there before the season’s out.” “I haven’t retired, no!” Deeney continued. “You’ve retired me about 15 times on this show, but I’m not officially retired. Football’s retired me. “So I’m just going to play with the boys and we’ll have a kickabout.” While his non-league kickabout is yet to come to fruition, Deeney’s Ballers League appearance will give him a chance to showcase his skills. Lionesses star Chloe Kelly is a manager alongside Ian WrightPA However, the seasoned veteran is expected to revert to his bid to return to management once his wildcard entry is in the books. Deeney revealed on talkSPORT he is ‘desperate’ for a return to the dugout in the future as he also looks to complete the LMA diploma. Despite having multiple offers since his Forest Green exit, Deeney is ‘not trying to force’ himself into the picture for various vacancies. The Birmingham-born forward recently shared his has three dream locations in mind should he wish to venture beyond English shores. “Spain and Portugal, because I think the love for the game is ridiculous out there,” Deeney said. “And also Italy, for the tactical point of view and how they are in nutrition. “I’ve worked with four or five of those types of managers anyway, so I have an insight into how they think and how they look at football. It’s really interesting.”
Troy Deeney has proven he has the cojones for the aptly named Ballers League after sealing his shock return to football.
The talkSPORT host’s most famous goal sent Watford to Wembley, and fittingly, he has joined the Wembley Rangers for one night only.
The 36-year-old hasn’t played competitively since a cameo for Forest Green Rovers in their 3-0 FA Cup loss to Blackpool in December 2023.
That same month, Deeney was promoted from his player-manager role to head coach but was sacked in January after only six games.
Over a year later, his return to the game will come on the pitch instead of the dugout on matchday five of the Ballers League.
Deeney will be lacing up his boots as a wildcard for the team co-managed by Lioness Chloe Kelly and Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
His new team will battle F.C. RTW this evening, looking to build upon their 4-3 win over N5 FC last time out.
Deeney had previously teased a footballing comeback on talkSPORT last month following an invite from non-league side SE Dons.
The team are currently playing in the Southern Counties East Football League under the name of Forest Hill Park.
Owner Andrew McHugh (Don Strapzy) is hoping to earn promotion in their very first year as a semi-pro outfit, with the side one point off the top of the table and extended an invite to get Deeney in action.
Speaking on the White & Jordan show with Sam Matterface and Alex Crook in March, Deeney said: “These are friends of mine as well who have obviously grown a huge platform for the YouTube and Sunday League football and turned it into, what it is now, a non-league team.
“They’re the first non-league team to be on for the treble, two cups and winning a league in their first season.
“So I did see G (George Kamurasi), who’s the goalkeeper, in the Euros, he was doing a bit of work out there. And we had a gentleman’s agreement that I’d play one game for them.”
Pressed on whether that had sparked his recent fitness uptake, Deeney replied: “Yeah, I’ve got to get fit for the boys.
“I’m a man of my word, as you know. I’ll be there before the season’s out.”
“I haven’t retired, no!” Deeney continued. “You’ve retired me about 15 times on this show, but I’m not officially retired. Football’s retired me.
“So I’m just going to play with the boys and we’ll have a kickabout.”
While his non-league kickabout is yet to come to fruition, Deeney’s Ballers League appearance will give him a chance to showcase his skills.
However, the seasoned veteran is expected to revert to his bid to return to management once his wildcard entry is in the books.
Deeney revealed on talkSPORT he is ‘desperate’ for a return to the dugout in the future as he also looks to complete the LMA diploma.
Despite having multiple offers since his Forest Green exit, Deeney is ‘not trying to force’ himself into the picture for various vacancies.
The Birmingham-born forward recently shared his has three dream locations in mind should he wish to venture beyond English shores.
“Spain and Portugal, because I think the love for the game is ridiculous out there,” Deeney said.
“And also Italy, for the tactical point of view and how they are in nutrition.
“I’ve worked with four or five of those types of managers anyway, so I have an insight into how they think and how they look at football. It’s really interesting.”
