Former Premier League footballer Troy Deeney is set to try his hand at a new sport as he takes on professional pool players in the UK Open Pool Championship next month. Deeney, who played for teams like Watford and Birmingham City, has accepted a wildcard invitation to compete in the 256-player event. The opportunity came about when he was approached by promoters of the World Nineball Tour. Deeney expressed his excitement about the upcoming challenge, stating that he had always fancied himself on the pool table during training sessions with his former teammates. He sees this as a chance to test himself against some of the world’s best players and gain a first-hand experience of the sport.
The 35-year-old striker hopes that his participation in the tournament will attract a new audience to Nineball, as he himself only recently learned about the format. He humorously mentioned that he previously believed it was a game of reds versus yellows or spots versus stripes. Deeney acknowledged that he will face tough competition right from the start but is ready for the challenge. He sees this as an opportunity to prove himself and hopes to avoid any embarrassing moments. Deeney’s love for pool goes back to his childhood in Birmingham, where he played in pubs and often took on his teammates at Vicarage Road.
Reflecting on his time playing pool at Watford, Deeney shared some amusing anecdotes about the competitive nature of the games. He mentioned that his teammate Ben Foster was the “shark” of the group and even had his own cue. Deeney joked about the difference between playing in the changing rooms at Watford, where grapes were thrown at players during their shots or they were nudged in the back, and his expectations for a more professional atmosphere at the UK Open Pool Championship in Telford.
Deeney is aware that in individual sports like pool, there is no one to blame but yourself if things don’t go well. He emphasized the importance of mental preparation and hard work to avoid looking foolish on the table. As someone from the Midlands, Deeney is particularly motivated to perform well in Telford. He will enter the first round of the tournament, where the prize money is £400, and will face at least two seeded players in a best-of-nine-racks contest.
Troy Deeney’s career has seen him play for various teams, including Chelmsley Town, Walsall, Halesowen Town (on loan), Watford, Birmingham, and Forest Green. Throughout his career, he has accumulated impressive goal-scoring statistics. Deeney’s decision to try his hand at professional pool demonstrates his willingness to step outside his comfort zone and embrace new challenges. It will be interesting to see how he fares against the top pool players and whether this experience will lead to further involvement in the sport.