Dean Windass reveals he discovered dementia diagnosis by fluke chance

The former Hull, Bradford City and Middlesbrough forward was diagnosed with the illness last year, before the news was announced in January.

But Windass has revealed he wouldn't even be aware of his condition had he not agreed to undergo a brain scan at the request of John Stiles, son of the late England World Cup winner Nobby.

Former Manchester United midfielder Stiles died in 2020 aged 78, having suffered from advanced dementia.

Since his passing, John has headed up the Football Families for Justice (FFJ) group, which is calling on the football authorities to provide more support for ex-players affected by the disease.

And it was the younger Stiles who first asked Windass to get tested for the condition, having hinted at the potential impact of heading a football on regular basis throughout his 22-year playing career.

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Joining talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Baker live from Cheltenham on Wednesday, the 55-year-old discussed his recent diagnosis.

He said: "Well, how it came around, it was John Stiles, [from] FFJ, because they're trying to get the PFA to fund these families.

"So I got asked a year ago to go in the scan machine. It sounds silly, but I was a guinea pig really, and [they] said, 'Look, obviously you played for 20 years, would you go in?'

"I declined, I said no. Because I'm 55 now, but as you get older, you do start to forget things. I think we all do, don't we?"

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It was only after Stiles continued to raise the idea with the Hull legend that he eventually reconsidered, and learned of his stage two dementia diagnosis.

Windass went on: "And then I got put in a WhatsApp group with John Stiles, who's a comedian on the circuit where I work.

"And he said, 'Look, would you go in?,' And I went, 'OK then'. And that was like a year-and-a-half-ago.

"So then the diagnosis came out that I'd got mild dementia, and I kept it quiet because of the kids, because of Kerry [his wife], because of my mum.

"Because they [the doctors] said to me it's not a major problem at the minute, maybe in ten to 15 years [it will be]."

Windass' diagnosis was first shared publicly by Red Devils legend David May, with the ex-striker's permission.

And while May has also revealed his own fears over his long-term health in light of the news, Windass admitted he would rather not have learned of his condition.

On the discovery, he said: "I wish I wouldn't have gone into it, that scan. I wish I wouldn't have volunteered.

"But I have. I know the results, it could be five years, ten years [before his condition deteriorates].

"I could walk out of here and get run over by a horse. You don't know, do you?"

Despite the life-changing news however, Windass expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support from the football community since it came to light.

On the public response, he remarked: "It's been crazy. A lot of sort of love, a lot of sympathy, I would think.

"Listen, more love, because I don't want sympathy. As you say, my son's [Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Josh] in the public eye.

"And it's very difficult, and I don't want to be a burden on anybody."

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Windass continued: "But now it's all come out, and now I've gone into that machine [had a scan], I'm hoping that I'll help other people.

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"If I help one person, or if I help one family, or if the PFA do step up and go, 'Come on.' There's a lot of money that goes into the Football Association.

"So I just hope that it does spark a fuse, really."