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Troy Deeney: Redemption: My Story
***'Footie book of the year.' - The SunTROY DEENEY is best known as Watford FC's former captain and a thorn in Arsenal's side. But behind the successful and gritty football persona is a remarkable story of resilience.In this brutally honest and inspirational memoir, Troy shares what it was like to grow up on Europe's largest council estate, where his mum worked three jobs and his father, a notorious drug dealer, was frequently in and out of prison.He shares stories of self-sabotage, from simply not turning up to Aston Villa's football trials as a teenager, playing while drunk to being imprisoned for affray at the height of his career.But Troy never gave up, even when it meant playing professional football with an ankle tag. He went on to score 20+ goals in three successive seasons and became the Club Captain, an FA Cup finalist, promotion winner and Watford's record scorer. He also became an outspoken player advocate and - in an age of bland footballer interviews - is a sought after voice on football and footballers today.Engaging, endearing and insightful, this book is where Troy comes to terms with his turbulent past.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2021
23 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 15, 2022
This is a very honest biography by footballer Troy Deeney who doesn’t try to pull any punches and tells it straight from the heart.
Troy Deeney spent most of his career at Watford where he became a bit of a folk hero leading them in his formidable style. But there is so much more to this story and the man himself, he has not had the easiest of rides and would admit to causing some of the difficulties. Normally when you read biographies of footballers they are full of behind the scenes gossip and lots of stories you are already aware of. But this one is different, yes there are some football stories as you would fully expect but we are told of his experiences being raised on a large council estate in Birmingham by his hard working mother while his drug dealing father was in and out of prison.
Troy Deeney had things tough and life was no easy ride. For me it was the stories of his life before football in Birmingham that made great reading. In spite of all the negative energy surrounding him, Troy managed to pull through and was rewarded with a life in football where he managed to lead unfashionable Watford to an FA Cup Final as well as twice gaining promotion. Having become a hero for Watford he is now finishing his career with his and my hometown club Birmingham City.
This is a very entertaining read that is a little different from many of the football legend biographies currently doing the rounds.
Troy Deeney spent most of his career at Watford where he became a bit of a folk hero leading them in his formidable style. But there is so much more to this story and the man himself, he has not had the easiest of rides and would admit to causing some of the difficulties. Normally when you read biographies of footballers they are full of behind the scenes gossip and lots of stories you are already aware of. But this one is different, yes there are some football stories as you would fully expect but we are told of his experiences being raised on a large council estate in Birmingham by his hard working mother while his drug dealing father was in and out of prison.
Troy Deeney had things tough and life was no easy ride. For me it was the stories of his life before football in Birmingham that made great reading. In spite of all the negative energy surrounding him, Troy managed to pull through and was rewarded with a life in football where he managed to lead unfashionable Watford to an FA Cup Final as well as twice gaining promotion. Having become a hero for Watford he is now finishing his career with his and my hometown club Birmingham City.
This is a very entertaining read that is a little different from many of the football legend biographies currently doing the rounds.
October 26, 2022
Audio book review 🎧
Largely misunderstood, tagged with a persona as something of a rogue, a bit of a pest on the pitch and sometimes disruptive off it…
Troy Deeney has his flaws, don’t we all!
What is impressive is that he hasn’t allowed these flaws to hold him back. If anything, he has channelled them, made the most of his attributes and compensated through hard work and determination.
He’s a person who has refused to be defined by disadvantage, refused to take the easy route, and that takes incredible conviction and dedication.
It is easy to see that Deeney’s story could have been a very different one. If not for football and if not for his dedication to the game, and whether you love him or loathe him, knowing his story and his journey, you can’t take away how far he’s come and how much work that’s taken. 🙌🏾
Largely misunderstood, tagged with a persona as something of a rogue, a bit of a pest on the pitch and sometimes disruptive off it…
Troy Deeney has his flaws, don’t we all!
What is impressive is that he hasn’t allowed these flaws to hold him back. If anything, he has channelled them, made the most of his attributes and compensated through hard work and determination.
He’s a person who has refused to be defined by disadvantage, refused to take the easy route, and that takes incredible conviction and dedication.
It is easy to see that Deeney’s story could have been a very different one. If not for football and if not for his dedication to the game, and whether you love him or loathe him, knowing his story and his journey, you can’t take away how far he’s come and how much work that’s taken. 🙌🏾
December 12, 2021
Illuminating on his family, some of whom are defended out of family ties and not through conduct, and a good summation of Troy's Watford career.
October 30, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Being a huge Watford fan who has had a season ticket since I was five years old I'm a big fan of Troy's. For ten years until this September him and Watford were synonymous and he always gave his all for the club.
Like Troy the writing in this book packed a punch, was earthy, passionate and not overly complicated. It was rough around the edges and if you are expecting beautifully crafted writing then this book isn't for you.
The way Troy wrote about his childhood and his background with bracing honesty was powerful and held my attention. His description of his father was really well written, as well as the impact in terms of rejection of his biological father who was nothing but a sperms donor.
The way he also talk about the events that led to prison and prison itself was unflinching and I like how he was honest about the sort of person he was.
Funnily enough given its his day job I found the bits on his footballing career whilst serviceable at times a bit of a letdown. There were quite a few errors I noticed as a Watford fan, which should have been edited out. For instance, Abdoulaye Doucoure didn't join the club in Watford's first season back in the Premier, but the second. I also thought that the 5 seasons Watford were in the Premier deserved a few more pages and it was rushed. It wasn't awful, but it was average and I think could have been better. I also felt that the unflinching honesty we saw in his description of his life in football, was replaced by a sugar coated version when it came to football which painted him in the best light, which was not always accurate. That said it was still interesting to read and certainly wasn't awful.
The last couple of chapters were strong and I thought the chapter on racism was excellent and from the heart whether I agreed with all or not.
I like the honesty and passion that runs through this book, but I thought the football parts of this book could have been better. I would recommend reading this book.
Being a huge Watford fan who has had a season ticket since I was five years old I'm a big fan of Troy's. For ten years until this September him and Watford were synonymous and he always gave his all for the club.
Like Troy the writing in this book packed a punch, was earthy, passionate and not overly complicated. It was rough around the edges and if you are expecting beautifully crafted writing then this book isn't for you.
The way Troy wrote about his childhood and his background with bracing honesty was powerful and held my attention. His description of his father was really well written, as well as the impact in terms of rejection of his biological father who was nothing but a sperms donor.
The way he also talk about the events that led to prison and prison itself was unflinching and I like how he was honest about the sort of person he was.
Funnily enough given its his day job I found the bits on his footballing career whilst serviceable at times a bit of a letdown. There were quite a few errors I noticed as a Watford fan, which should have been edited out. For instance, Abdoulaye Doucoure didn't join the club in Watford's first season back in the Premier, but the second. I also thought that the 5 seasons Watford were in the Premier deserved a few more pages and it was rushed. It wasn't awful, but it was average and I think could have been better. I also felt that the unflinching honesty we saw in his description of his life in football, was replaced by a sugar coated version when it came to football which painted him in the best light, which was not always accurate. That said it was still interesting to read and certainly wasn't awful.
The last couple of chapters were strong and I thought the chapter on racism was excellent and from the heart whether I agreed with all or not.
I like the honesty and passion that runs through this book, but I thought the football parts of this book could have been better. I would recommend reading this book.
November 5, 2021
Knowing nothing about Troy Deeney certainly helped me to immerse myself in his world. I felt like I could have been there with him while he was telling this story. One that is told so well in a relaxed kind of way, this made it even easier to read. He lays all his cards on the table as he opens up about his upbringing and the challenges he faced. He doesn't shy away from the mistakes he made along the way. I felt sorry for his mum and did ponder the emotional strain on her throughout this time. He talks about his prison sentence and his life while inside. I had to keep reminding myself that this is a true account and not fiction. It made for a very intense and emotional read.
As well as his personal life he does dip into his professional life and if you are a fan of Watford I am sure you would enjoy Troy's personal glimpses into the club. This gives you the whole picture of a man who has had adversity in his life and comes out the other side, triumphant in a way.
I must say as I read this I admired the man for his brutal honesty, which doesn't ways paint him in a good light. From a celebrity this is refreshing and I even felt quite proud of his strength to write this book. To show the world what he went through and what shaped him into the man he has become today.
A brilliant read in that I have learned a lot about one man. The good, the bad and the ugly...and that takes guts! If you are at all tempted I say read it, you won't regret this story of a flawed human being who has bared his soul on these pages.
As well as his personal life he does dip into his professional life and if you are a fan of Watford I am sure you would enjoy Troy's personal glimpses into the club. This gives you the whole picture of a man who has had adversity in his life and comes out the other side, triumphant in a way.
I must say as I read this I admired the man for his brutal honesty, which doesn't ways paint him in a good light. From a celebrity this is refreshing and I even felt quite proud of his strength to write this book. To show the world what he went through and what shaped him into the man he has become today.
A brilliant read in that I have learned a lot about one man. The good, the bad and the ugly...and that takes guts! If you are at all tempted I say read it, you won't regret this story of a flawed human being who has bared his soul on these pages.
November 3, 2021
Brutally honest, insightful and a rare glimpse into the wider aspects of life as a footballer, in Redemption, Deeney has laid himself bare. Refusing to shy away from some of the darker moments in his life, his philosophical approach to analysing how certain events have shaped him as a person comes across clearly throughout. Openly admitting to needing therapy to deal with understanding how some of his early life experiences have shaped him as a man, Deeney presents as someone who can readily acknowledge his weaknesses, whilst always striving to find a positive in every situation.
This is particularly evident when he explores his time at Watford who have acquired a reputation for frequently changing their managers. While Deeney’s relationship with some was favourable, he freely admits this was not the case with others, yet he is still able to reflect on elements which enabled him to progress as a footballer rather than dwelling on the negative.
This is much more than a footballer’s autobiography; it is a fascinating exploration of Deeney’s psyche and therefore has a much wider appeal than simply being aimed towards football fans.
Highly recommended!
With thanks to @T_Deeney, Octopus Books and Anne at Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in the blog tour.
This is particularly evident when he explores his time at Watford who have acquired a reputation for frequently changing their managers. While Deeney’s relationship with some was favourable, he freely admits this was not the case with others, yet he is still able to reflect on elements which enabled him to progress as a footballer rather than dwelling on the negative.
This is much more than a footballer’s autobiography; it is a fascinating exploration of Deeney’s psyche and therefore has a much wider appeal than simply being aimed towards football fans.
Highly recommended!
With thanks to @T_Deeney, Octopus Books and Anne at Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in the blog tour.
November 3, 2021
As a big football fan I really enjoyed reading Troy's memoir. I find it fascinating to read behind the scenes of a footballer's life. It was refreshing to read about how Troy started his footballing career at the bottom and worked his way up. Despite setbacks he achieved the status of a Premier League footballer and club captain which is something most can only dream about.
There was a lot of back story about his family, some of which was repeated a little bit which wasn't overly necessary but I enjoyed hearing about how his dad helped to shape his early days as a footballer. I would have liked it to include more about his family life once he had children as they were mentioned fleetingly with no information on his relationships.
Overall a really interesting read that I would definitely recommend.
There was a lot of back story about his family, some of which was repeated a little bit which wasn't overly necessary but I enjoyed hearing about how his dad helped to shape his early days as a footballer. I would have liked it to include more about his family life once he had children as they were mentioned fleetingly with no information on his relationships.
Overall a really interesting read that I would definitely recommend.
January 6, 2022
This reads as if dictated to a ghost writer, with lots of short sharp sentences for emphasis. That said, it's an interesting story for our times: getting an insight into how other people have lived their lives is almost always fascinating. The final chapter on racism in football (and society at large) is particularly powerful - is Deeney taking on the nation from his Watford predecessor John Barnes on this? The title doesn't quite work, despite an attempt in an Afterword to justify it. The books feels less about Redemption and more about self-discovery, possibly a product of the therapy the author talks about going through. Not just one for the fans, but the section in the middle probably means it's of more interest to fellow hornets.
April 17, 2022
Enjoyed most of this book. Very interested in Troy's early life , his Mom , his step (real) dad,( also the man he calls the sperm donor). You can see how these early years effected how he grew up and developed. Due to his dad's life style the local villains kept an eye on him . He has certainly turned his life around and all credit to him. Did not really enjoy the last two chapters where he talks about BLM and racial abuse. Abuse is wrong and shouldn't happen. The problem for me is that it does not appear in the earlier chapters. Troy's mother is from an Irish family, he loved her parents ( his grand parents) and his best mate is white. The last few chapters were unexpected and to my mind unnecessary.
December 27, 2021
Great for your average reader and football lover.
A new found respect for Troy Deeney, his journey and everything he has contributed towards football and Watford FC.
The last chapter around racism in football and in British society is fantastic and an honest portrayal as to what life is like societally in 2021 Britain. We must drive for change and Troy is largely contributing to that change in his passion for justice and equality, by speaking out and being heard, rather than waiting for others to make the first move.
Massive kudos to you Troy. A credit to yourself, your family and your city 👍
A new found respect for Troy Deeney, his journey and everything he has contributed towards football and Watford FC.
The last chapter around racism in football and in British society is fantastic and an honest portrayal as to what life is like societally in 2021 Britain. We must drive for change and Troy is largely contributing to that change in his passion for justice and equality, by speaking out and being heard, rather than waiting for others to make the first move.
Massive kudos to you Troy. A credit to yourself, your family and your city 👍
July 21, 2023
I have great admiration for this footballer. He loves his job and was the darling of Watford FC for 10 years or more. His story is told honestly. He doesn’t shy away from the bad bits that happened in his life and the parts that caused him pain and regret. His love for the beautiful game though, really helped him to turn his life around and make him a successful and much admired footballer. There are even some one liners in his book that made me chuckle but I’ll let you find them when you read it.
March 25, 2024
The start of the book, about Troy Deeney's childhood and early adult life (when he ended up in prison), is great. He's brutally honest about his upbringing, his relationships with various family members and his personal failures. However, in my opinion, the chapters about his career at Watford would only appeal to fans of the club; I wasn't interested in reading about how he got on with each of the ever-changing managers as they had their customary eight-month spell at the club. Overall, it's not a bad football autobiography, but it's far from a great one.
April 15, 2025
For the most part, this was an interesting read, spoilt by the last chapter when Troy goes on a rant about Black Lives Matter the Marxist organisation lining the pockets of its organisers to the tune of millions. Troy holds a candle for his stepdad, who was a violent criminal who assaulted his mam. His biological Dad like 59% of black fathers does not hang around to bring his kids up, and then Troy goes to prison where you guessed it, the occupants are largely (97% male) men who have had no male role model in life.
June 20, 2022
I asked for this for Christmas, not because I expected great literature, but because Deeney has been in the forefront of my Saturday mornings and mid-week afternoons for the last ten years.
I was ready to write him off after he went to prison for assault (or affray, as they say in GB), but he turned into a first-class mensch and went on to lead my favorite soccer team. I hope he's found his Redemption.
I was ready to write him off after he went to prison for assault (or affray, as they say in GB), but he turned into a first-class mensch and went on to lead my favorite soccer team. I hope he's found his Redemption.
December 28, 2021
A Christmas present from my son. I am such a Troy Deeney fan and so read this book in 2 days. I loved the football part as I am a lifelong Watford fan. I felt his earlier life could have been written better and I would have liked to know more intimately about his mum and dad and not have to be reminded so often that he forgave his father for being a crap partner to his mum and a crap father.
May 24, 2022
Way above average for a footballer’s memoir. Reflective and self-critical, the most compelling parts take place well away from the football pitch.
A quick and easy read although not necessarily light. And packs a strong punch in a final chapter about racism in football and wider society.
Well worth a read.
A quick and easy read although not necessarily light. And packs a strong punch in a final chapter about racism in football and wider society.
Well worth a read.
October 25, 2021
A good book. Not your usual football biography. Speaks a lot about his childhood, his Dad who was a figure in his life except when he was in jail. It also speaks about racial prejudice and how we all have to challenge it. An honest autobiography. More on the blog tour. Recommended
December 6, 2021
Not your average football book , we won there , i scored here , it focuses on his upbringing , his time spent in jail , even when he gets to the football it is done through the Watford revolving door of managers.
Well worth the read
Well worth the read
December 27, 2021
Brisk read. A must for Watford fans who is interested in this frank chronicling of Troy's upbringing and some behind the scene stories about his time at Watford. It's probably considerable less interesting for someone who hasn't followed Watford or Troy's career.
May 31, 2022
legend. straight talking and honest
As a watford fan I’ve nothing but respect for Troy, gave 100% and cared and that’s all a player can do. To be fair I think I’d heard 90% of the stories already but highly enjoyable read.
As a watford fan I’ve nothing but respect for Troy, gave 100% and cared and that’s all a player can do. To be fair I think I’d heard 90% of the stories already but highly enjoyable read.
September 2, 2022
Worth the read for any football fan, added bonus for Watford supporters. It was certainly insightful to learn more about all the managerial changes that have happened at the club over the last decade!
October 1, 2023
I like do dip in to a football autobiography. In terms of honesty this is by far the best. So many barely touch the surface, but was very impressed how open he was in this book. I have a much better understanding and respect for Troy, a really interesting upbringing and journey.
March 16, 2022
Really good insight to Troy Denney, his football career and his hard upbringing.
March 29, 2022
It's very much a whistle stop book but it's a good read about an interesting character.
September 28, 2022
Not your archetypal footballer's autobiography. Well worth a read.
February 4, 2023
One of the best sporting autobiographies I’ve ever read. What a story, what a footballer, what a man! Big recommend.
February 16, 2023
It’s a bit slow at the start but hang on in there, as it is a great read, really insightful and you get to meet the man behind the football
February 28, 2023
Really good candid insight into his life. Refreshingly honest about the mistakes he has made along the way.
March 8, 2023
Got this book as it was on at 99p and it was so much better than I expected. Very honest and shows both sides of football.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews