Former Premier League star Dean Windass, 55, suffering from dementia as ex-Man Utd ace reveals diagnosis live on BBC

DEAN WINDASS has been diagnosed with dementia aged 55, Manchester United legend David May has revealed on TV.

And now David Beckham is calling on football authorities to do more to support players with the neurodegenerative disease.

Dean Windass diagnosed with stage two dementia aged 55 Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

Windass scored the winning goal for Hull which fired them into the Premier League in 2008 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

David May reveals health news on BBC Breakfast Courtesy of WindassCredit: BBC

Windass achieved legendary status at boyhood club Hull and also played in the Premier League with Bradford and Middlesbrough.

He famously fired the Tigers into the top flight with his miraculous volley goal in the 2008 play-off final at the age of 39.

Windass initially retired in 2009 before returning briefly over the next three years.

But now only in his mid-50s, he recently received shocking news about his health.

May, 54, appeared on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning alongside Nobby Stiles’ son John.

With Windass’s permission, the former Manchester United and Blackburn defender said: “I only spoke to Dean Windass, the former professional footballer, yesterday.

“I asked Dean how he was.

“He was diagnosed with second degree dementia.

“He’s the same age as me and he’s worried about his future.”

The news about Windass came as a shock to football fans.

But May assured followers on Xu that he got the go-ahead from his friend directly to post the update.

Old Trafford hero May tweeted: “FYI spoke to @DWindass10 last night and asked for his permission.

“He was 100 percent behind me saying he was diagnosed with stage two dementia.

“Deano just wrote an article for a national paper that will be published soon.. share the love.”

Windass retweeted May’s post and another message of support which read: “So sorry to hear that Deana @DWindass10. My mum had Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

“Keep doing what you’re doing my friend, stay active in body and mind my friend, and of course you have Yorkshire courage, fighting spirit and a lot of support.”

Dean Windass Career Stats

Dean Windass had a prolific career, at nine clubs.

Here are his career stats:

Hull City
- First period: 1991–1995
  - Appearances: 166
  - Goals: 57
- Second period: 2007 (loan)
  - Performances: 18
  - Goals: 8
- Third period: 2007–2009
  - Performances: 61
  - Goals: 12
Aberdeen
- Years: 1995–1998
  - Performances: 78
  - Goals: 21
Oxford United
- Years: 1998–1999
  - Appearances: 41
  - Goals: 15
Bradford City
- First period: 1999–2001
  - Appearances: 77
  - Goals: 22
- Second period: 2003–2007
  - Performances: 133
  - Goals: 56
Middlesbrough
- Years: 2001–2003
  - Performances: 37
  - Goals: 6
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Sheffield United (loan)
Oldham Athletic (loan)
- Years: 2002–2003
  - Performances: 14
  - Goals: 3
Bradford Park Avenue

Then the former Hull striker – the dad of Sheffield Wednesday star Josh Windass – posted a video from his car smiling and belting out Glen Campbell’s Rhinestone Cowboy.

He captioned the video: “I just have to keep smiling and trying to help people.”

Windass then added in another tweet: “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’ve lost.”

Speaking to The Mirror Windass, who started and then ended his career at parent club Hull, added: “I’m fine. I’m not dying.

“I could walk out the front door and get run over. People don’t need to worry about me, it’s fine.”

“I don’t know what will happen in five years or tomorrow. I just get on with it.

“My phone is going crazy because everyone thinks I’m dying. I’m not dying. I’m fine,” he said. “My son texts me asking if I’m okay.”

Windass has previously been open about his financial and mental struggles since retiring from football, including attempts to take his own life.

May discussed the added risk professional footballers have of developing dementia – with evidence from studies showing they are 3.46 times more likely to develop it than the general public.

He added: “During my career I’ve probably managed the football 20,000 times in total.

“It is only now coming to light.

Soccer players with an increased risk of dementia

Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent

MEDICAL research has revealed that former professional footballers are significantly more likely to develop dementia than the average person.

Concerns are now growing that heading the ball damages the brain.

Dementia usually starts in late middle or old age and begins with a person’s short-term memory deteriorating, meaning the person forgets appointments, names or locations.

As it worsens, the patient’s personality may change, mood swings may occur, and they may easily become confused or incoherent.

Most cases are due to Alzheimer’s disease, which can be genetic or triggered by unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking or conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Head injuries such as concussions are also thought to increase the risk of dementia because they damage sensitive nerves in the brain.

As nerve damage accumulates over time from injury or disease, people lose more brain power and symptoms worsen.

Studies estimate that the risk of dementia in former professional footballers, compared to the average person, could be from 50 percent to more than three times higher.

Scientists increasingly believe that repeated small blows to the head can cause serious, fatal brain damage years later.

It’s also seen in American football players in the tough NFL league, where an increasing number of former players are developing a degenerative brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Legends of English football including Jack and Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Jeff Astle and Bill Gates have developed dementia.

Former Man Utd players Gary Pallister and David May have spoken in recent weeks about their fears that it will affect them.

The Football Association has begun phasing out headers in youth games to protect young players.

“I would like to know where I will be in ten years’ time, will I have care from the governing bodies, the PFA, for the funding that these families are not getting at the moment?

“It is worrying. I’m worried, of course I am.

“I have to take care of my family and I don’t want my children to take care of me day after day.

“Care really costs a lot of money. Is there enough care for future generations?

“One out of three [footballers have the] possibility of getting dementia.

“The message has to get out.”

We need the football family to come together and commit resources to help solve the tragedy of these devastating diseases

David Beckham

Former England captain Beckham joined forces with fellow footballers Mayo, Gary Pallister, Peter Reid, Gary McAllister, Jan Molby and others as well as politicians and medical professionals in Manchester to show support for the Football Families for Justice campaign.

The FFJ is a voluntary organization calling on the Government to amend the Football Governance Bill and introduce a mandatory financial support scheme funded by the football authorities and the PFA for players and their families.

Beckham said in a video message: “As a young player at Manchester United, I had the privilege of being guided and mentored [ex-coaches] Eric Harrison, Nobby Stiles and my father’s hero Sir Bobby Charlton.

“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 commit resources to help solve the tragedy of these devastating diseases.

“Let’s ensure that victims and their families are treated with kindness, respect and best-in-class support.

“I hope you will join us in securing a better future for our former colleagues – the many former professional footballers who brought so much joy to so many fans and their loved ones.”

On Windass’ shocking revelation, Dementia UK spokeswoman Caroline Scates added: “We are sorry to hear that Dean Windass has been diagnosed with dementia.

By choosing to speak openly and publicly about her diagnosis, she will undoubtedly encourage others to seek support if they are concerned about the symptoms they may be experiencing.

“It is estimated that around 70,800 people in the UK are living with dementia at a young age – where symptoms start before the age of 65.

Being diagnosed with dementia at a young age can be challenging, and finding age-appropriate support is often even more difficult.

“But it is important to know that you are not alone and that professional care is available.

“We encourage anyone affected by dementia at a younger age to visit dementiauk.org/get-support for resources and to find out how to access our national helpline and clinic services.”