DEAN WINDASS has been diagnosed with dementia aged 55, Manchester United legend David May revealed on TV.
And now David Beckham is calling on football's authorities to do more to support players with the neurodegenerative disease.
Windass earned 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 2008 play-off final wondergoal volley aged 39.
Windass initially retired in 2009 before brief comebacks over the next three years.
But now still only in his mid-50s, he has recently received the shock news on his health.
May, 54, appeared on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning alongside Nobby Stiles' son John.
With permission from Windass, the former Manchester United and Blackburn defender said: "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."
The news about Windass came as a shock to football fans.
But May reassured followers on X he had been given the green light from his friend directly to publicise the update.
Old Trafford hero May tweeted: "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."
Windass retweeted May's post and another message of support which read: "I'm so sorry to hear that Deano @DWindass10. My mum had Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
"Keep doing what you're doing mate, stay active body and mind my friend and of course you've got the Yorkshire grit, fighting spirit and great support."
Then the ex-Hull forward - dad of Sheffield Wednesday star Josh Windass - posted a video from his car smiling and miming along to Glen Campbell's song Rhinestone Cowboy.
He captioned the clip: "Just got to keep smiling and trying to help people."
Windass has previously been open about his financial and mental health struggles since retiring from football, including attempts to take his own life.
May was discussing the additional risk professional footballers have of developing dementia - with evidence from studies showing they are 3.46 times more likely to do so than the general public.
He added: "Over my career, I probably headed the football about 20,000 times in total.
"It's only coming to light now.
"I'd like to know where I'll be in ten years' time, will I have the care from the governing bodies, PFA, for funding that these families are not currently getting?
"It's worrying. I'm worried, of course I am.
"I've got a family to look after and I don't want my children looking after me day in day out.
"Care does cost a lot of money. Is there enough to care for future generations?
"One in three [footballers have the] possibility of getting dementia.
"The message needs to get out there."
Former England captain Beckham joined forces with fellow footballers May, Gary Pallister, Peter Reid, Gary McAllister, Jan Molby and others plus politicians and medical experts in Manchester to show his support for the Football Families for Justice campaign.
FFJ is a voluntary organisation calling on the Government to amend the Football Governance Bill and introduce a mandatory financial support scheme funded by football authorities and the PFA for players and their families.
Beckham said in a video message: "As a young player at Manchester United, I was privileged to be guided and mentored by [ex-coaches] Eric Harrison, Nobby Stiles and my dad’s hero Sir Bobby Charlton.
"Like thousands of ex-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 ensure that 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 ex-professional footballers who have brought so much joy to so many fans and for their loved ones."
hinbelnrtz
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Wishing you all the best my brother