Defence lawyer for Watford's Troy Deeney says 'red mist came down and he lost control'

5:20pm Monday 25th June 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

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Watford FC striker Troy Deeney has been jailed for ten months for his part in a savage brawl that left three students injured, including one with a broken jaw.

Deeney, the club’s top scorer last season, was caught on CCTV kicking one of the victims in the head after his friend’s birthday celebrations ended in violence in Birmingham town centre in February.

The 23-year-old stood in the dock at Birmingham Crown Court today along with his younger brother Ellis Deeney, 21, and their two friends Oliver Brennan and Marc Williams.

The court heard the four had been "swept up" in a large fight which took place outside Bliss Bar on February 29 between the students and a group of unrelated black youths who were trying to force their way into the club.

The judge was repeatedly played footage of the 30-second mêlée in which Troy and Brennan were seen kicking a student in the head.

Ellis was also filmed aiming a kick at another student and Williams, whose birthday was being celebrated, punched someone else in the crowd. Troy’s defence solicitor Mark Haslam argued that he became involved in the fight because he saw his brother Ellis involved and then the "red mist" descended.

He told the judge that Troy, who has a three year old son, had the most to lose and had put it all in jeopardy in a "moment of madness".

Mr Haslam said: "It is clear that in his 23 years Troy Deeney has done much that’s good for himself, his family and communities for whom he is involved. That is to his credit.

"Against that you have to balance his participation in this disgraceful episode.

"Is it really absolutely necessary for him to lose everything he has achieved and could achieve because of his engagement in those 30 seconds seen so frequently today?"

However the judge, David Tomlinson QC, said the four men had joined in a "gratuitous beating" of the students who were already outnumbered in the fight.

He singled out Troy and Brennan as the more serious offenders for attacking men who were on the ground and defenceless.

He said: "A particularly aggravating feature for a defendant is to kick someone when he is on the ground and a particularly aggravating feature for a defendant to kick someone in the head when that person appears to be barely conscious and quite plainly not capable of defending himself."

Prosecutor David Lees told the court that of the three university students left injured by attack, it was Nathan Parton whose jaw was fractured.

Mr Lees said his injuries had left Parton with a scar, which made it difficult to shave and meant he may need to undergo plastic surgery.

Another student, Liam Baister, had his lip badly lacerated and required 20 stitches and a third student, Peter Hearne, was left with a grazed forehead and swelling to the back of his head.

Troy and Ellis were both arrested on the night of the fight, with Williams and Brennan apprehended in the following weeks.

All four men admitted affray at an earlier court hearing in May based on what they had been captured doing in the CCTV footage.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it could not be proved that any of the four was responsible for the injuries the students sustained.

A judge was told the police were still seeking people in connection with the fight.

The court was told that the Deeneys and their friends were out celebrating the birthday of Williams on the night.

They had been for a meal, before heading to Bliss and were outside when the punch-up started.

Ellis Deeney’s barrister, Lynette McClement, said the birthday group had not been the ones to start the fight.

She said a statement from Bliss Bar’s head doorman had stated the fight had broken out when a group of black youths tried to barge their way into the club.

The doorman said one of the black males then picked up a pole to threaten the club’s staff, which was taken out of his hands by one of the students, starting the brawl.

"The violence was started by others and in the confusion those in the dock were swept up in it," said Ms McClement.

Ms McClement said the Deeney brothers had also been dealing with a tough family situation in the run-up to the fight.

She said their grandfather and grandmother had both died in the preceding year and the week before the incident they had learned their father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Their father Paul has subsequently died.

Ms McClement described Ellis as having a "short fuse" on the night of the brawl.

Troy said he had initially wanted to keep out of the fight but entered the fray because he had seen Ellis in the scrapping crowd.

Mr Haslam told the judge: "As far as he is concerned the red mist came down and from that moment he lost control."

When Troy was interviewed by the police he was described as "audibly shocked" by the CCTV footage and remorseful.

Yet Judge Tomlinson said although they did not start the brawl, the participation of the four made it worse for the victims.

"Three men were singled out in what can only be described as a gratuitous beating," said Judge Tomlinson.

"The effect was that three men, who were already heavily outnumbered, became even more so as a result of what you all did."

Brennan, 20, of Hazel Croft, Chelmsley Wood, was sentenced to eight months in a young offenders institution.

Ellis, of Poplar Avenue, Chelmsley Wood, and Williams, 26, of Stonebridge Crescent, Kingshurst, walked free from court as they were handed eight-month prison terms suspended for 18 months with supervision orders.

As Troy and Brennan were taken down, female relatives burst into tears in the public gallery.

Troy, who gave his address as Keepers Gate, in Chelmsley Wood, could be heard urging them not to cry and asking Ellis to look after their mother.

Deeney has one year left on his Watford contract after signing the extension a month after the incident.

He was released by Aston Villa as a youngster and was at non-league side Chelmsley Town before he was spotted by Walsall.

His performances attracted the attention of Watford and after a slow 18 months to his Hornets career, Deeney finished last season as the club's top goalscorer with 12.

Comments(58)

WFC4ever says...
5:34pm Mon 25 Jun 12

I know the defence lawyer has to do his job but being a footballer doesn't excuse the actions of that night.

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andyhooked says...
5:43pm Mon 25 Jun 12

So everyone that has had a tough time and family grief can hit out! Bye, bye Troy. You may also be the difference, not being there, that makes us struggle to keep up. Not that you were the best but you were the better of what we had to choice from. Hope you like porridge mate!!!

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LSC says...
6:00pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Let's get this into perspective. 10 months inside (which it won't be) is NOTHING to the pain of a broken jaw.
I had my jaw broken years ago in an attack in Watford.
My teeth were wired together for over six weeks.
Ever had toothache? Imagine it in every tooth at once, 24 hours a day. Imagine every time you cough, or sneeze, the wires try to pull your teeth out.
You can't yawn.
You can take pain killers, but have to use a pestle and mortar to grind them down because you can only suck them through clenched teeth, as with all food.
You cannot clean the inside of your teeth and the fur build up makes you retch; but of course you cannot retch- in fact being sick could kill you because you will choke. Which is scary, especially as your diet has to change to food you can suck in through your teeth and your stomach isn't used to that.

So if offered six weeks of that torture (and I still feel it now over 20 years on) or the 5 months he will serve for doing it with Playstations and Sky telly, I know who got the better deal.

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andyhooked says...
6:15pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Sorry to hear this LSC but you have put things into a personal perspetive and I really think you are right to write as you have. Thugs should be sent down. On a diffeent level, King, Mo Jonson, after he left us, and a load of former Arsenal (some time back) and other now so-called special Prem class players show just how shallow these guys are given money. Money does not change a person's nature. Some can not even keep Mr Percy in their pants when they are in a relationship.

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cliff46 says...
6:20pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Having read the more detailed report, particularly with regard to kicking the head of someone on the floor and barely conscious, I now think we should get rid immediately.
We rely on our academy to produce talented decent young men on that basis there should be no place for someone who sets such a cowardly example.

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mattymashup says...
6:23pm Mon 25 Jun 12

LSC wrote:
Let's get this into perspective. 10 months inside (which it won't be) is NOTHING to the pain of a broken jaw.
I had my jaw broken years ago in an attack in Watford.
My teeth were wired together for over six weeks.
Ever had toothache? Imagine it in every tooth at once, 24 hours a day. Imagine every time you cough, or sneeze, the wires try to pull your teeth out.
You can't yawn.
You can take pain killers, but have to use a pestle and mortar to grind them down because you can only suck them through clenched teeth, as with all food.
You cannot clean the inside of your teeth and the fur build up makes you retch; but of course you cannot retch- in fact being sick could kill you because you will choke. Which is scary, especially as your diet has to change to food you can suck in through your teeth and your stomach isn't used to that.

So if offered six weeks of that torture (and I still feel it now over 20 years on) or the 5 months he will serve for doing it with Playstations and Sky telly, I know who got the better deal.
What you are saying is totally fair enough. Deeney was a fool and should never have done what he did. Kicking a man on the ground is deplorable and could have killed him. especially coming from a 15 stone footballer. Deeney will get sacked from the club for sure. And although I am a big fan of his he should have got longer.

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andyhooked says...
6:27pm Mon 25 Jun 12

And if GT was a manager now he would have gone ballistic. Where is the moral fibre nowadays bt saying that dear old Tony Coton got himself in grief after he left us and, if memory is servng me right, GT rescued his career from Birmingham after his was in trouble?

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LSC says...
6:43pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Thanks for the comments. As an experiment, try it at home. Clench your teeth in one position and see how long you last before you need to move them, even a little tiny bit.
I'll wager most less than a minute, no-one over five.
But the victim has that for over a month, plus toothache-level pain at the same time.

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Abbots hornet says...
6:48pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Deeney is a disgrace,kicking a person in the head when they are on the ground can never be tolerated.Thought he did well for us last season but that now becomes irrelevant we have to bite the bullet and sack him.We must set a standard if we are a community club that this sort of aggressive behaviour will not be condoned.He is lucky he did not get longer

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SAHornet says...
7:18pm Mon 25 Jun 12

LSC wrote:
Thanks for the comments. As an experiment, try it at home. Clench your teeth in one position and see how long you last before you need to move them, even a little tiny bit.
I'll wager most less than a minute, no-one over five.
But the victim has that for over a month, plus toothache-level pain at the same time.
Yeah, ok dsc we get the picture already.

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lutondown says...
8:30pm Mon 25 Jun 12

SAHornet wrote:
LSC wrote:
Thanks for the comments. As an experiment, try it at home. Clench your teeth in one position and see how long you last before you need to move them, even a little tiny bit.
I'll wager most less than a minute, no-one over five.
But the victim has that for over a month, plus toothache-level pain at the same time.
Yeah, ok dsc we get the picture already.
Just trying to work out what DSC stands for
Ive come up with one that's unprintable!
Lol!
Got to admit, having read the full shebang and seeing a man getting beaten while on the ground certainly changes my view. Sadly our decent principles have been eroded along with any other decent aspect of what the Liberal left would sneer and call our vainglorious past.
Mr Hyde over and out

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derry pigweed says...
8:30pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Troy should be back for the play-offs next season

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D.unstable says...
8:43pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Sack him!!! Sorry but his behaviour as a so called professional footballer and role model is not what we need associated with our club. He has had a very slow start to his Watford career and despite a noticeable improvement in effort for the last 3-4 months of the season with a lack of real alternatives is still for me a very ordinary
player.

Let's hope we can get rid and do not have to pay him whilst taking one for the team in the showers.

Shows a lack of respect to the club in my opinion.

We have all lost loved ones, but no excuse to kick a defenceless lads head like a football, good job he hasn't got a good kick on him, could have killed him!!!

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D.unstable says...
8:43pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Sack him!!! Sorry but his behaviour as a so called professional footballer and role model is not what we need associated with our club. He has had a very slow start to his Watford career and despite a noticeable improvement in effort for the last 3-4 months of the season with a lack of real alternatives is still for me a very ordinary
player.

Let's hope we can get rid and do not have to pay him whilst taking one for the team in the showers.

Shows a lack of respect to the club in my opinion.

We have all lost loved ones, but no excuse to kick a defenceless lads head like a football, good job he hasn't got a good kick on him, could have killed him!!!

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BarryTheHornet says...
8:46pm Mon 25 Jun 12

It isn't really debatable is it? His contract should be terminated with immediate effect. He's let the club and all of us down and he must now face the consequences of his actions. He did not have to get involved in the fight, he could have walked away. He chose not to and he chose to kick a man in the head who was barely conscious on the ground. Does anyone at Watford Football Club want to be associated with someone who is capable of that? No. His behaviour was vile. Goodbye.

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StephenKilamanjiro says...
10:10pm Mon 25 Jun 12

I doubt he will be let go. Double jeopardy for what he will regret for the rest of his life. 10 months inside for a footballer will seem like a lifetime and considered that he would have done his time. I hope the club see sense and stand by the guy. After all, he put his hands up and would of been prepared for the custodial sentence. LSC I feel for you pain after hearing that you had your jaw broken and please don't think that my opinion is taking anything from that. I just don't want to see us lose out on what could be a bit of a talent...

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BarryTheHornet says...
10:20pm Mon 25 Jun 12

StephenKilamanjiro wrote:
I doubt he will be let go. Double jeopardy for what he will regret for the rest of his life. 10 months inside for a footballer will seem like a lifetime and considered that he would have done his time. I hope the club see sense and stand by the guy. After all, he put his hands up and would of been prepared for the custodial sentence. LSC I feel for you pain after hearing that you had your jaw broken and please don't think that my opinion is taking anything from that. I just don't want to see us lose out on what could be a bit of a talent...
He put his hand up cos he got caught.

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radlettman says...
10:28pm Mon 25 Jun 12

His Mr "Nice guy" try hard for WFC image is now bust. Just look at his twitter account and comments last night about Terry / Cole / Young. Not a nice guy.... plenty of time for him to reflect in prison...

Some of his team mates should also be careful what they post on Twiter.... or read on here just what WFC supporters think of TD now. Good riddance. So much for the nice family man image. Too much ... too quick and not worth it.

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Roy Stockdill says...
11:18pm Mon 25 Jun 12

radlettman wrote:
His Mr "Nice guy" try hard for WFC image is now bust. Just look at his twitter account and comments last night about Terry / Cole / Young. Not a nice guy.... plenty of time for him to reflect in prison...

Some of his team mates should also be careful what they post on Twiter.... or read on here just what WFC supporters think of TD now. Good riddance. So much for the nice family man image. Too much ... too quick and not worth it.
I have just looked at a few of Troy Deeney's Twitter posts. Here's a classic.....

"Some kid out side my house just sed are you troy deeney and my son goes no he's my dad stupid lol"

Now do people understand why I regard Twitter as perhaps the most appalling and moronic development in the entire history of the English language? It enables thick, uneducated, illiterate cretins to express themselves in language that is little better than that of a caveman thousands of years ago. One wonders if we are reverting to what our ancestors must have been like at the dawn of pre-history if this is the kind of thing the Internet was invented for?

Deeney is clearly a very nasty yob and deserves everything he has got. Footballers are not above the law. I hope it will signal the end of his career, but the world is now so cynical, and football in particular, that I suspect it may not.

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Hornet Cornet says...
11:51pm Mon 25 Jun 12

The bloke's clearly a d1ck

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Harrydownunder says...
1:24am Tue 26 Jun 12

Tell yer story walking Troy!
You can reflect on your wrong doings while trying to avoid Mr Big!
Sad thing is, he will probably be out in a couple of months.....

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COGGDAVE1 says...
7:33am Tue 26 Jun 12

Whats the matter with you lot !!!! His punishment is 10 months inside...have none of you never made a mistake, have none of you ever had a 'punch up' ??
Yeah he acted like a thug, and his crime is inexcusable, thats why he is in nick, but read the posts on here, you want to punish him again and again...
Certain morons on here offer fights to anyone who dares to disagree with them all the time... Bucks..bancrupt etc ...let him serve his dues and get off his back ..he has enough to put up with without you lot acting like idiots ...

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BarryTheHornet says...
7:51am Tue 26 Jun 12

COGGDAVE1 wrote:
Whats the matter with you lot !!!! His punishment is 10 months inside...have none of you never made a mistake, have none of you ever had a 'punch up' ??
Yeah he acted like a thug, and his crime is inexcusable, thats why he is in nick, but read the posts on here, you want to punish him again and again...
Certain morons on here offer fights to anyone who dares to disagree with them all the time... Bucks..bancrupt etc ...let him serve his dues and get off his back ..he has enough to put up with without you lot acting like idiots ...
If you mean have I kicked a man in the head as if it was a football when he was barely conscious and unable to defend himself then...no, can't say I have Dave. He could have killed the bloke. This was a bit more than a punch-up. I take your point about prison being a punishment but there's a wider moral issue at stake here and his behaviour, (regardless of his custodial sentence where he might learn the error of his ways), is not acceptable. If he's inside then he can't honour his contract can he. I'm afraid you're in the minority on this one Dave. The right thing is for Watford to terminate his contract immediately.

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COGGDAVE1 says...
8:12am Tue 26 Jun 12

BarryTheHornet wrote:
COGGDAVE1 wrote:
Whats the matter with you lot !!!! His punishment is 10 months inside...have none of you never made a mistake, have none of you ever had a 'punch up' ??
Yeah he acted like a thug, and his crime is inexcusable, thats why he is in nick, but read the posts on here, you want to punish him again and again...
Certain morons on here offer fights to anyone who dares to disagree with them all the time... Bucks..bancrupt etc ...let him serve his dues and get off his back ..he has enough to put up with without you lot acting like idiots ...
If you mean have I kicked a man in the head as if it was a football when he was barely conscious and unable to defend himself then...no, can't say I have Dave. He could have killed the bloke. This was a bit more than a punch-up. I take your point about prison being a punishment but there's a wider moral issue at stake here and his behaviour, (regardless of his custodial sentence where he might learn the error of his ways), is not acceptable. If he's inside then he can't honour his contract can he. I'm afraid you're in the minority on this one Dave. The right thing is for Watford to terminate his contract immediately.
Yes Barry, I understand your point, and good post with a good argument against my view, but how many time can you hang a guy ?? I just think his punishment should not go on and on..we will have to agree to disagree on this one ...

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Ronny oh Ronny Ronny says...
8:50am Tue 26 Jun 12

He will be out in 5 months that is certain, he will be back with us in November, he will have served his punishment, why should he lose his job. Prisons are full of reoffending career criminals that can't do anything else and the country is in a state because of it. He has made one mistake (and yes a massive one and you have to feel desperately sorry for the victim) but he can't be punished for the rest of his life. The fact he will be away from his son and mrs I would wager that he would not do anything like this again

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COGGDAVE1 says...
9:13am Tue 26 Jun 12

Ronny oh Ronny Ronny wrote:
He will be out in 5 months that is certain, he will be back with us in November, he will have served his punishment, why should he lose his job. Prisons are full of reoffending career criminals that can't do anything else and the country is in a state because of it. He has made one mistake (and yes a massive one and you have to feel desperately sorry for the victim) but he can't be punished for the rest of his life. The fact he will be away from his son and mrs I would wager that he would not do anything like this again
Absolutely ...100% ..RIGHT

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The Jamie Hand Stand says...
9:15am Tue 26 Jun 12

Serious question time, who in the club will make the decision to sack him, Bas? Dyche? Wilson?

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4boys says...
9:18am Tue 26 Jun 12

I cant believe Watford are dragging their feet over this, his contract should have been terminated as soon as he was found guilty, what he did is a disgrace. I cant believe there are people on here saying we should forgive and forget.
This isnt just a brawl, hes kicked someone defenseless on the ground, breaking their jaw, what a sicko.
We have a family image to think of, and our academy kids need senior players to look up to, hes hardly a role modell

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corbindallas says...
9:26am Tue 26 Jun 12

I have already said my 10 pence worth on this when it was first reported. He has breached his contract with Watford and therefore should be dismissed, no if's or buts, this is not double punishment it is part of his current contract which states clearly he must not bring the club into disrepute as a role model and representative of Watford FC. He is LUCKY it is only 10 months and the charge was only Affray as a pro footballer his legs are fine tuned and very strong, and kicking is his job so therefore kicking someone in the head with his legs is akin to using a offensive weapon. I recall a boxer who punched someone who was charged on the grounds of using offensive weapons as his trade was such that his arms where considered so (it was in the USA, but you get my drift). I just hope another club along the line give him another chance as if not then that would be double punishment! As for Marlon King he is a disgrace to mankind but again he has done his time and suffered with job loss for breach of contract, hopefully he and Troy will learn from their mistakes. By he way with good behavior he could be released in just over 4 months with the remainder of his sentence as out on license with tag, curfew etc.

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IntelligentHornet says...
9:52am Tue 26 Jun 12

I would like to say that, if any one of you have a brother and he was involved in a fight and you didn't know why, would you stand and watch? No you would go in all guns blazing throwing your arms and kicking whoevers in your way. Also, to all you saying about losing a loved one isn't a reason, they didn't say it was a reason they said that his emotions were high and if anyone here has lost someone close to them you will know that the smallest thing can make you angry. It isn't right what he did but he is being punished so I really think people should leave it at that

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Hornet77 says...
9:53am Tue 26 Jun 12

Ronny oh Ronny Ronny says...

"The fact he will be away from his son and mrs I would wager that he would not do anything like this again” Didn't work with Marlon King, Jemain Pennant and Lee Hughes, none of whom have turned their lives around after getting into trouble with the law.

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hornets66 says...
10:18am Tue 26 Jun 12

How many of you guys can honestly say your comfortable in cheering this guy on in a yellow shirt. I cant say Im comfortable with that

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Reg Edit says...
10:24am Tue 26 Jun 12

Footballers should be employed for their talent and sacked if their behaviour brings the club into serious disrepute. We used to think they should be role models and many footballers still are.

This wasn't a fight. A fight has two or more conscious people fighting. This was a professional footballer who should know a little about kicking, kicking another human being who was barely conscious if at all.

Cowardly and stupid, there was no danger from the man on the ground yet he still kicked him. Gratuitous violence, no excuses.

I would not pay a single penny to watch a team that had him in it, and I will not go to watch Watford until such time as he is no longer on the books.

Yes he will go to prison for punishment, so should he be punished twice by being sacked?

Simple answer - Yes.

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G_Whiz says...
10:26am Tue 26 Jun 12

So Let's get this right, Troys group Joined another un-related aggressive black group to attack a bunch of already outnumbered white students.

Surely that's a racist attack?

or maybe student-phobic!

I also like the way a red mist is used for any kind of defence.

Either way, he doesn't deserve to pull on the Golden Shirt ever again!

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tonupchris says...
10:26am Tue 26 Jun 12

Hornet77 wrote:
Ronny oh Ronny Ronny says...

"The fact he will be away from his son and mrs I would wager that he would not do anything like this again” Didn't work with Marlon King, Jemain Pennant and Lee Hughes, none of whom have turned their lives around after getting into trouble with the law.
These three were given a second chance though and in my opinion we should do the same thing with Deeney. Although they re offended it doesn't mean he will as well but obviously if he did then that would be the end. I would say however that the fact he's admitted his guilt I imagine is purely down to the fact he was shown the cctv footage which didn't leave him a leg to stand on.
I would hope being away from his children would make him think that this is something he will never do again.
Remember this is only my opinion and I have also been attacked by a large group of individuals and spent some time in hospital as a result so I do know how those attacked feel.

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Hornet77 says...
10:32am Tue 26 Jun 12

Surely being sent to prison goes hand in hand with losing your job? I'm pretty sure if I got sent down my employers wouldn't keep my role open for me when I get out.

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mark_123 says...
10:33am Tue 26 Jun 12

TROY DEENEY= LAD!!

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
10:34am Tue 26 Jun 12

hornets66 wrote:
How many of you guys can honestly say your comfortable in cheering this guy on in a yellow shirt. I cant say Im comfortable with that
I'm not comfortable either but, we sack him, he joins another championship team for nothing, scores 15-20 goals next season including against us, are you sure you would be happy ? Bottom line is wfc is a business and he will be out in the Autumn. As others have said we have previously signed players who have had brushes with the law and even been inside. Where do you draw the line ? An obligation to sack if it's your employee but free to pick them on a free transfer if its not ?? It was a moment of madness, he pleaded guilty, he will have served a prison sentence, so why would we then gift him to one of our competitors ? Someone above said we must sack him but hoped someone else would take him up otherwise he has been punished twice. What sort of logic is that ??

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hornets66 says...
10:55am Tue 26 Jun 12

I for one dont care how many goals he might score. I am NOT comfortable with cheering on a mindless thug! Even if wearing a yellow shirt

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Mickey Quinn, not so thin says...
11:03am Tue 26 Jun 12

Hornet77 wrote:
Surely being sent to prison goes hand in hand with losing your job? I'm pretty sure if I got sent down my employers wouldn't keep my role open for me when I get out.
No but with respect they probably didn't pay £500k ish for your services and can replace you at minimal cost ? What if we had just spent £5m for him and he had 3 yrs of a contract to run would we still give him f.o.c to an opponent? Bottom line is it was a moment of madness, he pleaded guilty, he will have served a prison sentence. Unless you are saying he should ever be allowed to play professional football again, why would you sack him ?

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MJ1 says...
11:13am Tue 26 Jun 12

Like most people who have posted on this story, I would not want to see Deeney in a Watford shirt again. It would negate our values as a football club and we could never again describe ourselves as a 'family club'. Terminating his contract would be straightforward. He has already negated it by his behaviour, conviction and non-availability. But if we terminate it he becomes a free agent. As current footballers such as Marlon King and Lee Hughes demonstrate, there are always Clubs prepared to pick up a free player under the guise of giving them a 'second chance'. No doubt the delay from WFC in making a statement is because they are taking legal contractual advice. However, the club needs to reflect on the fact that the delay may be seen as prevarication for financial interest and cause us reputational damage. Decisive leadership is necessary. Deeney cannot play for us again; let's just cut our losses rather than make matters even worse.

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Dr Johnny Fever says...
11:16am Tue 26 Jun 12

Hornet77 wrote:
Surely being sent to prison goes hand in hand with losing your job? I'm pretty sure if I got sent down my employers wouldn't keep my role open for me when I get out.
Yes, mine too, I'd be out the door as soon as I told them.

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luther blissett says...
11:17am Tue 26 Jun 12

I heard he missed the blokes head a number of times. Sounds like the Troy we know.

I don't even think he is that good. Yes I cheered him last season for his effort and eventually some goals, but he has been here for 2 seasons now and has only shown good form for half a season. Reminds me of Priskin because of that and where is he now?

Just like the SPL clubs not letting Rangers back in, principals should stand firm.

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PurpleRalph says...
11:34am Tue 26 Jun 12

luther blissett wrote:
I heard he missed the blokes head a number of times. Sounds like the Troy we know.

I don't even think he is that good. Yes I cheered him last season for his effort and eventually some goals, but he has been here for 2 seasons now and has only shown good form for half a season. Reminds me of Priskin because of that and where is he now?

Just like the SPL clubs not letting Rangers back in, principals should stand firm.
Ha Ha great first line and agree 100% with the rest. He's at best average and will be dumped in the nearest has-bin as soon as the italians take control.

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northofwatfordpete says...
11:44am Tue 26 Jun 12

We don't know that it was a black on white racist attack but from what I have read it does not look good at all. Kicking a man while down and in the head!

I don't want him in my team.

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Chris the Vic says...
12:03pm Tue 26 Jun 12

A complete disgrace, joins marlon and possibly if true Darius.

Those who want to keep him should reflect on the clubs image. As with Chelsea in the past we should sue him for breach of contract and ensure he has to sacrifice salary for a golden hello so that the brave lad can pay us.

As for Pete saying he doesnt want him in his team, I dont want deeney in the County.

Pray we get a super Mario to replace him

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TRT says...
12:16pm Tue 26 Jun 12

A boxer's fists are regarded as lethal weapons, why not a footballer's feet? They are trained and trained and trained to kick hard, fast and accurately. They need the mental and emotional discipline to control themselves. His contract should be terminated immediately.

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honest-view says...
2:15pm Tue 26 Jun 12

I believe a few of our so called supporters often challenge people for fights, are they true supporters.
I already know the answer to that,it is only words.
But young people do read.

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TRT says...
2:21pm Tue 26 Jun 12

Whilst we expect football supporters to show the club and the town in good light, that is to say that we would like them to set a good example of behaviour for others and to be model citizens/supporters who not only leave the reputation of the game intact but positively promote team sports through their belief in a community focussed and family friendly activity...
I've lost the thread of where I was headed...
Anyway, the difference between fans and the players is that players are held to contract. Besides, fans that do get involved in fighting should and do get kicked out of the stands and told not to return! Possibly not as often as one would like to see.

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garston tony says...
2:28pm Tue 26 Jun 12

I'm glad that the over all opinion is that he should be sacked, I totally agree.

Yes we all make mistakes and yes I agree people should be given a second chance. But there are mistakes and there are mistakes and with mistakes often comes consequences in this case a prison term and being sacked. We dont need people of that character at the club (on the pitch or in the stands) and his second chance can come at another club.

Cant remember his name at the moment but Chelsea sacked a player a few years ago for drug taking and getting banned. Once he served his ban he signed for an Italian club and Chelsea successfully sued the player for financial lossess. Several million pounds. I would assume that WFC could do something similar, sack him and sue for his transfer fee?

Also the club probably arent making a decision due to the pending sale, current set up will rightly want to leave this up to new owners for when they finally take over. New owners wont want to make a statement about a player at a club they still dont actually own

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corbindallas says...
5:01pm Tue 26 Jun 12

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
hornets66 wrote:
How many of you guys can honestly say your comfortable in cheering this guy on in a yellow shirt. I cant say Im comfortable with that
I'm not comfortable either but, we sack him, he joins another championship team for nothing, scores 15-20 goals next season including against us, are you sure you would be happy ? Bottom line is wfc is a business and he will be out in the Autumn. As others have said we have previously signed players who have had brushes with the law and even been inside. Where do you draw the line ? An obligation to sack if it's your employee but free to pick them on a free transfer if its not ?? It was a moment of madness, he pleaded guilty, he will have served a prison sentence, so why would we then gift him to one of our competitors ? Someone above said we must sack him but hoped someone else would take him up otherwise he has been punished twice. What sort of logic is that ??
Think you are getting this twisted, I said he needs to be sacked for breach of contract due to being charged and imprisoned, and that another club should give him a chance after he has served his time otherwise it would be unfair to keep penalising him. The fact he breached his contract with Watford means it is us who should not be giving him a second chance especially as it was a serious charge and not a minor charge whereby a final warning would be surfice, 'gross misconduct' is the classification for this!

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AFHWFC says...
8:51pm Tue 26 Jun 12

We live in a society where thuggery is all too common, he's done something incredibly stupid and I have no doubt will regret for the rest of his life. I personally wouldn't hang him out to dry, this wasn't a conscious decision of his, it was drink fuelled moment of madness and while I don't have sympathy for him I would accept the decision of the club. In "real life" this sort of thing happens every Friday and Saturday night as a result of an idiot drinking too much, would I never forgive a friend or relative who did this? No, I'd know it was a moment of madness. On the flip side would I want to see him punished harsher if it was my brother then yes, I'd want to see him done for life.

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gloryhornet4 says...
9:23pm Tue 26 Jun 12

"WFC" are going through a sale due diligence and not the time I guess to make snap decisions on TD's contract and the PFA would likely have to speak in the media for TD.

There may be a FL rule (?) as is for the Prem League that 30 days notice is required to the player to terminate a contract and you do not give that notice through the club website etc. Mess up a sacking costs a lot of money of course.

TD kept the club informed at each stage we are told. If TD was due back today for training - breach of contract - non attendance at work perhaps after a short period? If they do not dismiss there is an obligation to pay wages, so we will know soon enough.
It seems TD was not expecting to be sent down and I think he made a conscious decision to work his socks off since Feb to save his job - out on his feet at the end of some games.

What will be, will be.

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Hornet Cornet says...
11:29am Wed 27 Jun 12

there cannot be any discussion on that thug's future at watford . sack him now. he is a disgrace to human kind.

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Hornet Cornet says...
11:30am Wed 27 Jun 12

there cannot be any discussion on that thug's future at watford . sack him now. he is a disgrace to human kind.

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gloryhornet4 says...
1:32pm Wed 27 Jun 12

Hornet Cornet wrote:
there cannot be any discussion on that thug's future at watford . sack him now. he is a disgrace to human kind.
Dismissal has to be handled properly - investigate, decide and then notify outcome and provide appeal route. The club may have done so for all we know - but telling the media before the individual gets the letter would be wrong. Hence club saying a statement later. I agree TD has an uphill challenge to play for WFC again.

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corbindallas says...
3:40pm Wed 27 Jun 12

gloryhornet4 wrote:
Hornet Cornet wrote:
there cannot be any discussion on that thug's future at watford . sack him now. he is a disgrace to human kind.
Dismissal has to be handled properly - investigate, decide and then notify outcome and provide appeal route. The club may have done so for all we know - but telling the media before the individual gets the letter would be wrong. Hence club saying a statement later. I agree TD has an uphill challenge to play for WFC again.
Not for gross misconduct his criminal conviction overrides a need to investigate,they need to notify him and as he is unavailable an appeal will not be available or possible and frankly because of the offence is not needed either.

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buckshornet says...
9:30pm Sat 30 Jun 12

watford fc must do the right thing and sack him.what he has done is worse than what king done from what i have read.what a fool after having the most prolific season at the highest level he has ever played at.my 7 year old son now wants to chuck his deeney photo and home shirt in the rubbish bin! he really should be ashamed of himself but i don't expect he ever will be or apologise.

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