Dean Windass: Ex-Hull City striker needs ‘support’ after dementia diagnosis, says Phil Brown

Former Manchester United and Blackburn defender David May announced Windass’ diagnosis on BBC Breakfast, confirming he had been given permission by the ex-forward to do so.

May is among a group of ex-footballers and families of ex-players backing a campaign to provide more support for former players affected by neurodegenerative disease.

The Football Families for Justice (FFJ) campaign is also working with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

Brown believes further research needs to be done by the sport’s governing bodies and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to find out more and aid players affected.

“It can only be a directive from the hierarchies… they need to get their heads around a table and try to figure out what is going on,” Brown said.

“Could I ever see the game of football non-contact and below head height? Never in a million years.

“We’re not saying that we want to change the style of the game but if there is compensation that needs to be paid out, it needs to be investigated and the PFA needs to be investigating because it is their members who are suffering and need looking after.”

BBC Sport has approached both Hull City and the PFA for comment.