Former Premier League footballer Dean Windass has spoken out after revealing he has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 55.
The ex-striker made 104 appearances in the top flight for clubs such as Hull City, Middlesbrough and Bradford City. He famously scored the goal at Wembley that secured the Tigers’ promotion to the Premier League in May 2008.
Windass received his stage two diagnosis from doctors and admitted he had kept the news quiet for a year. However, he has insisted that he is “all right, I’m not dying.”
He told The Mirror: “My phone has gone mad because everyone thinks I’m dying. I’m not dying. I’m all right. My son [Sheffield Wednesday player Josh] text to ask if I was OK.
Windass spoke after former Manchester United defender David May had made the news public during a live TV interview with BBC Breakfast, in which he stated: “I only spoke to Dean Windass yesterday, ex-professional footballer.
“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.”
Taking to social media platform X, May later clarified that he had been given permission from Windass to share the news, stating: “FYI I spoke to @DWindass10 last night and asked his permission.
“He was 100 per cent behind me mentioning that he had been diagnosed with stage 2 dementia. Deano has just done an article for a national newspaper which will be published soon.. Share the love.”
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