EXCLUSIVE
It was two versus one as Simon Jordan was left stunned by a proclamation about English football’s biggest derbies.
Former Birmingham striker Troy Deeney joined White & Jordan on talkSPORT to talk about a career that took in the Premier League where he left many defenders rattled.
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Deeney is best remembered for his time with the Hornets, spending 12 seasons with them, six of which were in the Premier League.
However, in his heart he bleeds blue, having been born in Birmingham, and later playing for the club from 2021 to 2023.
During that spell, Deeney didn’t get to take part in the Second City Derby against Aston Villa, but still inflicted plenty of pain on his boyhood club’s rivals, scoring six goals in five games, winning four of them.
Deeney still got to watch the derby from afar while at Watford, and when Jim White said it was the best British atmosphere he’s experienced outside of Celtic v Rangers, there was no disagreement from the former striker.
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“I think we’re bigger than Tottenham v Arsenal personally,” he said. “In terms of rivalry absolutely.”
Co-host Simon Jordan was left audibly and visibly stunned, saying: “What?!
“It’s such an infrequent fixture, Birmingham barely get to play Villa because they’re back where they belong in the lower echelons.”
Deeney wouldn’t take the bait, though, and instead discussed the rivalry in further detail, and revealed that he could have actually ended up wearing claret and blue.
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“I had an opportunity to join Villa,” he said to much surprise. “My best friend let me know that it wouldn’t be a good idea and they told me they wanted me to remove my Birmingham City tattoo.
“It was part of the conversation in 2013 or 2014. I wouldn’t have had it removed though and it didn’t get too far. My best friend is Birmingham City die hard and my whole family is, other than my brother. It would have been a difficult place to live and see the family if I was playing for Villa.”
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Admitting his admiration for the Midlands side, who are currently fourth in the Premier League, Deeney added: “It’s a proper club and they’re run properly now and doing things the right way, I think they’re going to continue to build.
“I think it’s really good for the city to have two clubs that are hopefully being run properly now and the infrastructure is being put in place, it's been tough for the last 15 or 16 years if I’m being honest.”
In stark contrast to Villa, Birmingham are currently fighting to avoid relegation from the Championship this season.
A disastrous campaign has left the Blues hovering above the drop zone on goal difference with eight games remaining.