Former Premier League star Troy Deeney is making a surprise move into POOL - after the ex-Watford striker was handed a wildcard place at next month’s UK Open Pool Championship.
The tournament, part of the World Nineball Tour, will take place at the Telford International Centre between May 7 and May 12 and Deeney will be live on Sky Sports looking to take home the £24k top prize.
Deeney said: “I am absolutely buzzing to play at the UK Open Pool Championship. I always fancied myself on the table at the training ground with the boys so when this opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance to put myself to the test against some of the world's top players and can't wait to compete on 7th May."
CEO of Matchroom Multi Sport, Emily Frazer added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Troy Deeney to the UK Pool Open as a wild card player. His presence will undoubtedly heighten the excitement and competitiveness of this iconic World Nineball Tour event.”
Deeney, speaking exclusively to the Daily Star, also added: "Obviously with my transition out of football, you just try to look at other sports up to be enticed [by] and pool has been one of those things I thought is sick, and it's great to have the opportunity to even have a go at it."
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Deeney also pointed out the similarities between pool and football, explaining: "The repetition of it and obviously the angles and the degrees, [which is] kind of like shooting really. You can't just go up and blast everything because it's not going to work, so you [need] a bit more feel and more understanding and go from there."
Deeney’s surprise career change comes after a nightmare stint in charge of League Two side Forest Green Rovers. The now 35-year-old signed for the club as a player-coach at the start of the campaign and was appointed as their head coach on a permanent basis in December.
Deeney did not win any of his six games in charge and he publicly criticised his players following a miserable 2-0 defeat to Harrogate. Just hours before being sacked, Deeney was hit with a four-match ban and a fine for his post-match conduct following a defeat to Swindon.
Troy Deeney lasted just six games as Forest Green boss (Getty Images)What do you think is the most bizarre career change from a footballer? Share your thoughts in the comments below
The striker was particularly outspoken after being shown the door by Forest Green. Speaking after the decision, he said: “They told me it was because of results but I have trouble believing that. I feel to a certain extent I have been used for my contacts and pulling power.
“We had brought in five players in this window, most of whom would not have dropped down to the bottom of League Two if it wasn’t for me — including Maxi Oyedele, on loan from Manchester United. Four weeks ago, I was the solution. Now I’m told I’m the problem.”
Deeney has recently been drawn into a war of words with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Speaking recently on talkSPORT, he said: "With Ollie, this is going to sound negative but I promise you it is not, he is a winger trying to be a striker.
“That's just who he is. He is very good at being a striker, but when Ivan stepped up and took that penalty [versus Belgium] did you think he was going to miss?”
Watkins replied to that with a cheeky jibe of “Not bad for a winger trying to be a striker” in the aftermath of his goal in Villa’s 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates.
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