Dean Windass has revealed that he was diagnosed with stage two dementia at the age of 54.
The prolific and well-travelled former striker told Mail Sport he received the devastating news 12 months ago and is now taking things “day by day”.
On a day when a group of high-profile former players launched a campaign calling on the Premier League, FA and PFA to set up a fund to cover the costs of care for former players amid a growing crisis, the football legend Hull City – whose dramatic 2008 play-off final blow sent the Tigers to the Premier League; He decided to speak out about his own situation to raise awareness for his cause.
“They asked me if, as a former player, I would be willing to undergo a scan,” Windass explained. “I panicked a bit because they said it would be a couple of weeks before the results came back, but then I got a text asking me to do a Zoom call.
'The conversation I had was that there was nothing to worry about at the moment, but the scan came back as mild grade two dementia. I immediately thought, “Oh, fuck, what does that mean?”
Although it has been a year now, Windass, who scored 141 goals in a career spanning almost 20 years for clubs including Aberdeen, Middlesbrough and Bradford City, admits he is still struggling to process the information.
Former professional footballer Dean Windass has been diagnosed with stage two dementia.
A prolific striker during his playing days, Windass is best remembered for his notable volley in Hull City's 2008 Championship play-off final against Bristol City.
“I really can't remember the exact words they said to me,” he explained. 'I don't know how this will affect my life in the coming years. I forget the names. I'm 55 now, so maybe it's just old age.
“They told me there was nothing to worry about right now and, you know me, I laughed and joked. I told them I was delighted they had found a brain there and that was a plus.”
Windass, whose son Josh plays for Sheffield Wednesday and whose other son Jordan played for Oldham and Darlington, says he is taking things “one day at a time”.
He added: 'They told me I had “mild Grafe Two dementia.” I don't know the answers to what this will be like because I'm not a scientist. It worries me and if I start to feel different or start to get headaches then there are people I can see. I'm a little naive about all this. Then a woman came to my house to do some tests and I couldn't do them, which bothered me.'
Windass, who scored his last Premier League goal at the age of 39, officially announced his retirement from football on 19 October 2009 and was diagnosed 15 years after hanging up.
His immediate focus is preserving his post-playing career. “My job is as an after-dinner speaker,” he explained. 'I haven't had any problems in the last 15 years where I've forgotten what to say.
“I remember Frank Worthington once gave an after-dinner speech in which he told the same story. If it affects my work, there is a problem, but I hope it doesn't.”
He doesn't look too far into the future. “I don't know what's around the corner,” he said. 'I live day to day. I forget people's names, but am I getting old?
The former forward (left) says he is taking things “day by day” following his diagnosis
Windass' diagnosis was initially broadcast, with his permission, by former Manchester United defender David May on BBC Breakfast this morning.
He says he will come forward to help Football Families For Justice, a group backed by Mail Sport columnist Chris Sutton, an activist and son of Nobby World Cup winner John Stiles, and Greater Manchester and Liverpool mayors Andy Burnham. and Steve Rotheram.
In the spring they will propose an amendment to the football governance bill that would force football authorities to fund the costs of residential homes for footballers, who are more than 3.5 times more likely to die from a neurodegenerative disease than the public. in general.
A support video from David Beckham was shown at the Manchester launch. “We have to help these families,” Windass said. 'If things get worse for me, it will be unfair for my family. Like those who have died at home, they need funding and the PFA should help these people.
“I hope it doesn't happen to me, but if it does, they need help. These houses are an expensive option. We ask that the Premier League and the PFA intervene.”
Windass has no doubts about what triggered her diagnosis. “I've been looking for work looking for soccer balls,” he said. 'Not in games but in training. Crossing and finishing exercises. They asked me how many times I had headed the ball in 20 years. Damn hell! Thousands and thousands of times. If I get worse, I hope they take care of me.”
In Manchester, Beckham told a host of former professionals, including Peter Reid, Jim Beglin and Gary McAlister, that he supported the campaign. “As a young player at Manchester United, I had the privilege of being guided and advised by (former coaches) Eric Harrison, Nobby Stiles and my father's hero, Sir Bobby Charlton,” Beckham said.
'Like thousands of former players, all three died from neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. I want to add my support to the work of John Stiles and Football Families for Justice in their campaign to meet the needs of those affected.
'We need the football family to come together and allocate resources to help address the tragedy of these devastating diseases. Let's make sure victims and their families are treated with kindness, respect and best-in-class support.
“I hope you will join us in ensuring a better future for our former colleagues – the many former professional footballers who have brought so much joy to so many fans and their loved ones.”
A video of Sutton was also played at the event. “My father Mike passed away four years ago,” explained the former Celtic, Blackburn and Norwich player. 'He died from heading a soccer ball.
A support video from David Beckham was shown at the Manchester launch
“He had dementia and in the end he suffered terribly. It was very disturbing for our entire family. I send this message on behalf of my family and all the other families of former players who have suffered and died in the most unimaginable way and of former players who still suffer thanks to the lack of support from the football authorities.
“Hopefully with this group getting support, things really start to change because the football authorities haven't done enough. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the former players and their families start getting the support.” they deserve from the game.'
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, hosted the event, where testimonies were heard from former players, their families, MPs, medical experts and campaigners.
Stiles described the situation as “an iceberg.” 'There are 55,000 former players and the PFA expects 16,000 of them to suffer from dementia. This is an epidemic.'