Dean Windass: Former Hull and Bradford striker diagnosed with stage 2 dementia | Football news
Former Hull City striker Dean Windass has been diagnosed with stage two dementia.
Former Manchester United and Blackburn defender David May shared the news on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, as he spoke about concerns over the condition of former players, along with ex-Leeds midfielder and dementia campaigner John Stiles.
Stage 2 dementia causes memory loss and mild cognitive decline.
May has since posted on X, confirming he had spoken to Windass and received permission to speak about the 55-year-old’s condition.
His post read: “FYI I spoke to @DWindass10 last night and asked for his permission. He was 100% behind me mentioning that he has been diagnosed with stage 2 dementia. Deano has just written an article for a national newspaper, which will be published soon.”
Windass – who also played for Bradford City, Aberdeen, Oxford United and Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday – famously scored the winner in the 2008 Championship play-off final against Bristol City, in which Hull were promoted to the Premier League for the first time.
He later posted a video on X, singing along to Glen Campbell’s hit ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’, then posted: “Seriously I’m fine, I was thrilled to find out I have a brain. I just hope other families get the help they want for the people they lost.”
Beckham is backing a campaign to improve funding for neurodegenerative care
David Beckham has backed a campaign to improve care for ex-players affected by the neurodegenerative disease by applying political pressure to the football authorities.
The former England captain has backed the Football Families for Justice (FFJ) campaign, which is now working with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram in a bid to give football’s independent regulator powers to force the game’s authorities to take “decisive action” against neurodegenerative diseases among former players.
In a video address shown at a campaign meeting in Manchester, Beckham said: “We need the football family to come together and commit resources to help tackle the tragedy of these devastating diseases.
“Let’s ensure that victims and their families are treated with kindness, respect and the best possible support.”
