Troy Deeney has said that going to prison for affray was the "best thing" that ever happened to him.
The Watford striker spent three months in prison in 2012 after kicking a man in the head during a brawl, and had to wear an electronic tag following his release.
The 27-year-old, who helped the Hornets win promotion to the Premier League last season, told the Daily Mail: "Going to prison was the best thing that ever happened to me. The two years leading up to that, I was thinking I was a man because I was going out drinking and paying for everyone.
"I hit the guy and he went down and as I have turned round to start fighting again, I felt like a tug on my leg. You don't know what he's got. I just put him out. That's the only part I don't like talking about. That could have gone so far left. The guy could have died because I am a powerful guy. I didn't think about my actions. When the police showed me the video the next day, I couldn't watch.
"I didn't want anyone at my house when I got home. I just wanted it to be me, my missus and my son. I was a bit embarrassed to be honest. I was ashamed. I was coming home from jail. I wasn't coming home from winning the league. It wasn't time for a celebration."
Deeney was initially sentenced to 10 months in jail, but was released early for showing remorse.
Sian Cowper
