Premier League cult hero Dean Windass diagnosed with dementia
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Former Premier League footballer Dean Windass has confirmed he has been diagnosed with stage two dementia. The 55-year-old took to X to confirm the news after ex-Manchester United defender David May shared an update on Windass’s condition during an interview on BBC breakfast.
![[Hull City's Dean Windass (R) shoots to s]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-81225287.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I only spoke to Dean Windass yesterday, ex-professional footballer,’ said May. ‘I asked Deano how he is. He’s been diagnosed with Stage 2 dementia. ‘He’s the same age as me and he’s worried sick of how it’s going to be in the future for him.’.
![[Mboro v West Ham]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-1568758.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594)
Windass is best remembered for his two spells at hometown club Hull City and fired the Tigers to the Premier League for the first time in their history with the winning goal in the 2008 play-off final against Bristol City. The 55-year-old also played in the top flight for Bradford City and Middlesbrough.
Following his retirement from professional football in 2012 Windass, after a brief managerial career, has made regular appearances as a pundit on Sky Sports. Having received a groundswell of support on social media, Windass took to X in his own inimitable and self-deprecating style, writing: ‘Seriously I am ok was delighted to find out I had a brain. Just hope other families get the help what they want for the people they have lost.’.
David Beckham, meanwhile, has backed a campaign to improve care for former players affected by neurodegenerative disease by applying political pressure to the football authorities. The former England captain has given his support to the Football Families for Justice (FFJ) campaign, which is now working with the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram on efforts to give football’s independent regulator powers to force the game’s authorities to take ‘decisive action’ on neurodegenerative disease among ex-players.
