• Former Watford star Troy Deeney was sent off on his Baller League debut 
  • Deeney caused a melee after clashing with opponent Tareiq Holmes-Dennis
  • LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ian Ladyman reveals who is to blame for Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League 

By JEORGE BIRD

Troy Deeney’s return to football didn’t go to plan, with the former Watford star receiving a red card on his Baller League debut.

Deeney was in action for Wembley Rangers against FC RTW on matchday five of the Baller League on Monday night.

Wembley Rangers suffered a 4-3 defeat, with Deeney angering opponent Tareiq Holmes-Dennis by barging him over.

Holmes-Dennis responded by trying to jump on the back of Deeney, who was not shy of getting involved in altercations with players during his professional career in football.

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who was officiating the game, responded by issuing a red card to Deeney following the incident.

A melee between both sets of players ensued, with Deeney’s actions certainly not helping his team’s cause. 

Former Watford star Troy Deeney received a red card on his debut in the Baller League

Former Watford star Troy Deeney received a red card on his debut in the Baller League

Deeney angered opponent Tareiq Holmes-Dennis by barging him over

Deeney angered opponent Tareiq Holmes-Dennis by barging him over

The former Watford star's actions sparked a melee which involved players from both teams

The former Watford star’s actions sparked a melee which involved players from both teams

It was Deeney’s first involvement in football since he was sacked as Forest Green Rovers manager in January 2024.

During his time in charge of Forest Green Rovers, Deeney failed to win any of his six matches.

Deeney spent the majority of his playing career at Watford, for whom he featured prominently in the Premier League.

He subsequently played for Birmingham City and then Forest Green Rovers.

Deeney did feature, as he regularly does, as a pundit on talkSPORT last week and gave a damning assessment of Tottenham’s season, with Spurs sitting 16th in the league ahead of Monday’s clash against Nottingham Forest.

Speaking on Tottenham’s ongoing woes in the league, Deeney insisted several players will likely need to move on to facilitate a rebuild at the club.

‘For me, he’s done a good job blooding the younger players and giving them the confidence to go and score a lot,’ Deeney told talkSPORT.

‘Brennan Johnson, what is he on, about 16 goals now? I think they’re in a transition period, I think you could see the likes of Son [Heung-min] move on.

Deeney works regularly as a pundit following his departure as Forest Green Rovers manager

Deeney works regularly as a pundit following his departure as Forest Green Rovers manager

‘Potentially [James] Maddison, [Yves] Bissouma, Richarlison, these guys will start moving on. And then obviously they have a lot of young players like Mikey Moore, but I still think they’re a little bit like Chelsea.

‘They need one, maybe two, older pros just to be like, “We don’t do that here, this is how you win things”.  And that’s the bit I think that they’re missing.’

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Watch: Moment Troy Deeney is SENT OFF on his Baller League debut – with BBC and talkSPORT pundit sparking brawl after clashing with opponent

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