Troy Deeney is a name that resonates beyond the football pitch. Known for his powerful presence as a striker, his candid media appearances, and a personal story marked by both struggle and redemption, Deeney has carved out a unique place in English football. From captaining Watford in the Premier League to serving a prison sentence and later becoming a respected pundit, his journey is one of the most compelling in the modern game.
Born in Birmingham in 1988, Deeney’s path to professional football was far from straightforward. His early life, detailed in his autobiography, involved family instability and a father who was frequently in prison. These experiences shaped his worldview and his outspoken nature, both on and off the field.
Today, Deeney is a regular face on television, a coach, and an author. This article provides a comprehensive look at his career statistics, personal life, net worth, and the key moments that have defined him.
Who is Troy Deeney? Biography and Background
Troy Matthew Deeney
6’0″ (1.84 m) / Centre-Forward
160+ (all competitions)
Pundit & Coach
Key Insights
- Troy Deeney is best known for his time as captain of Watford FC, where he became the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer.
- He scored over 160 career goals in more than 500 professional appearances.
- Deeney was sentenced to prison in 2012 for affray, an event he openly discusses in his memoir.
- He is currently a pundit for Sky Sports and CBS Sports Golazo, and has worked as a coach at Forest Green Rovers.
- His net worth is not publicly verified, but estimates from football contracts and media work vary.
- He is an anti-racism campaigner and presented the Channel 4 documentary Troy Deeney: Where’s My History?
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Troy Matthew Deeney |
| Born | June 29, 1988 (age 37) |
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Total Career Goals | 160+ (club and international) |
| Years Active | 2006–2024 |
| Known For | Watford FC captain, CBS Sports pundit |
| Major Clubs | Watford, Birmingham City, Forest Green Rovers |
| Prison Sentence | 2012 (affray, later released on appeal) |
| Book | Redemption: My Story (2021) |
How Many Goals Did Troy Deeney Score? Career Statistics
Public bios consistently summarize Deeney’s career totals as more than 500 appearances and more than 160 goals. He is Watford’s record scorer in the Premier League era, a testament to his consistency and leadership in the final third.
According to FBref, his advanced stats show a player who was not just a finisher but also a physical presence who contributed to build-up play. He scored 20+ goals in three successive seasons for Watford, a feat that underscores his peak years in the Championship and Premier League.
While exact goal totals vary slightly between databases, the consensus from sources like Transfermarkt and speaker bios is that Deeney scored over 160 goals in his professional career. His most prolific period was at Watford between 2010 and 2021.
What Is Troy Deeney’s Net Worth and Book?
Net Worth
No official disclosure or audited financial statement is publicly available. Estimates from football contracts and media work vary, but no confirmed figure has been released. This remains an area of uncertainty.
His Book: Redemption: My Story
Deeney’s memoir, Redemption: My Story, was published by Octopus on 30 September 2021. It is described as a candid autobiography about his upbringing, setbacks, prison sentence, and rise in football. The book covers his difficult childhood in Birmingham, his imprisonment for affray, and his journey to becoming Watford’s captain and record scorer.
The memoir is available through major retailers like Barnes & Noble. It is marketed as a story of resilience, detailing how Deeney played professional football while wearing an ankle tag after his prison sentence.
Is Troy Deeney a Manager?
Troy Deeney has transitioned into coaching. According to speaker bios, he worked as a coach at Forest Green Rovers. ESPN also listed him as a Forest Green Rovers forward in its player bio, while other sources confirm his coaching role there. He has not yet taken on a full-time permanent managerial position, but his appointment as caretaker manager at Forest Green in 2024 marked a significant step in his post-playing career.
Alongside coaching, Deeney is a regular pundit on Sky Sports EFL fixtures, a co-host of BBC Sounds’ Football Firsts with Jermain Defoe, and a recurring guest on talkSPORT. His media work has been praised for its authenticity and bluntness.
What Did Troy Deeney Say About Arsenal?
Troy Deeney is widely described as a “thorn in Arsenal’s side” in book marketing copy. His most famous comment about the club came in 2020, when he stated that Arsenal lacked “cojones” after a match. The remark went viral and became a defining moment in his media persona. The exact match or goal that prompted the comment is not specified in public accounts, but it is a well-known soundbite from his career.
The exact details of the specific Arsenal match or goal that led to Deeney’s “cojones” comment are not fully specified in the provided sources. The comment is widely reported, but the precise context may require further verification from match reports.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1988: Born in Birmingham, England.
- 2012: Sentenced to prison for affray; later released on appeal.
- 2015: Helped Watford gain promotion to the Premier League.
- 2020: Famous “cojones” comment about Arsenal.
- 2021: Left Watford after 11 years; published memoir Redemption: My Story.
- 2023: Played for Birmingham City and Forest Green Rovers.
- 2024: Appointed caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers.
- 2025: Active as pundit for CBS Sports Golazo and Sky Sports.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, height, position, total goals (160+) | Exact net worth (no official public disclosure) |
| Managerial appointment at Forest Green Rovers | Exact number of children (publicly known: 3, but details are private) |
| Prison sentence for affray in 2012 | Current status of his book (already published in 2021) |
| Anti-racism campaigner and documentary presenter | Wife’s identity (not confirmed in provided sources) |
Context: Why Troy Deeney Matters
Troy Deeney is a notable figure in English football for several reasons. His leadership at Watford, his controversial media moments, and his post-playing career as a pundit and part-time manager make him a unique voice. His prison sentence early in his career shaped his public narrative, and his openness about his working-class Birmingham roots has resonated with many fans.
His move into punditry has been praised for authenticity and bluntness. He is one of the few top-flight footballers to be so candid about his past, and his work as an anti-racism campaigner, including the Channel 4 documentary Troy Deeney: Where’s My History?, adds depth to his public profile.
Sources and Key Quotes
“Deeney grew up in difficult circumstances in Birmingham, a background he discusses in his memoir Redemption: My Story.”
— Barnes & Noble
“He is described as a social advocate and anti-racism campaigner who has presented TV/documentary work on representation and education.”
— The Speaker Handbook
“His memoir says he was imprisoned for affray at the height of his career and played professional football with an ankle tag.”
— Barnes & Noble
Summary: The Full Picture of Troy Deeney
Troy Deeney’s story is one of resilience, controversy, and reinvention. From a difficult upbringing in Birmingham to captaining Watford in the Premier League, serving a prison sentence, and becoming a respected pundit and coach, his career defies easy categorization. While some details—like his exact net worth and family life—remain private, his impact on and off the pitch is well-documented. For more on football personalities, see our ranking of the Best football pundits on TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children does Troy Deeney have?
He has three children, though he keeps details of his family private.
How tall is Troy Deeney in feet?
He is 6 feet 0 inches (1.84 m).
Did Troy Deeney play for England?
No, he never played for the England national senior team.
What is Troy Deeney’s real name?
Troy Matthew Deeney.
What is Troy Deeney’s Instagram handle?
@t_deeney
What is Troy Deeney’s book about?
His memoir, Redemption: My Story, covers his upbringing, prison sentence, and rise in football.
Did Troy Deeney go to prison?
Yes, he was sentenced to prison for affray in 2012 but was later released on appeal.
What did Troy Deeney say about Arsenal?
He famously said Arsenal lacked “cojones” after a match in 2020.
Is Troy Deeney a manager?
He has worked as a coach and was appointed caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers in 2024.
How many goals did Troy Deeney score?
He scored over 160 career goals in more than 500 professional appearances.
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Sarah Mills is Managing Editor at Current UK, running the daily news list, headline review and commissioning.