Former Hull City forward Dean Windass has publicly detailed his struggle with stage two dementia and issued an emotional plea to reconnect with his estranged son, Wrexham midfielder Josh Windass.
The 57-year-old retired striker received his diagnosis in January 2025 after a brain scan facilitated by Football Families for Justice.
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Windass, known for his decisive volley in the 2008 Championship play-off final, attributes his condition to a career spent heading footballs, particularly during training drills.
"When I got the diagnosis they asked me how many footballs I headed.
It's not the fact of matchday, it was those crossing and finishing drills every day," Windass told the Guardian.
He now advocates for restrictions on heading drills in modern training to prevent further damage.
The diagnosis has led to a family rift, with Windass revealing he is completely out of contact with both of his sons.
"I don't speak to my two kids now, but probably because it's my own fault as well…not telling them about the diagnosis because I didn't want to worry them," Windass said on the Clutch 9 podcast in January.
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His decision to conceal the news backfired, leaving him without a way to reach Josh, who recently moved to Wrexham.
Windass posted a public plea on social media that attracted 1.5 million viewers, but his son has not responded.
"One and a half million viewers saw it, but I thought it's the only way I can get in contact because he's not answering the phone," Windass said.
He also revealed he has not seen his granddaughter for a year.
"Josh is very successful now and has got a wife and my granddaughter. I haven't seen my granddaughter for a year and it hurts," Windass said.
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He ended with a direct appeal: "So if Josh does watch this, please ring me, because he's my little boy."
