Source: Daily_Mail
EXCLUSIVE: I wish I had never left Hull, admits hometown hero Dean Windass
Dean Windass has admitted he made the biggest mistake of his career when he quit Hull City for Oldham Athletic last season.
The 40-year-old former Hull hero demanded a move from Phil Brown in January after failing to secure a regular spot among the squad striving to stay in the Premier League.
Windass turned down a move to Doncaster to join John Sheridan at Oldham but abandoned the League One side after just nine games.
He scored one goal and the highlight was a stint as an emergency goalkeeper in a goalless draw at Leicester.
Hull boss Brown, who scraped to safety on the final day of the season, was criticised by Hull fans for letting Windass leave the KC Stadium just six months after scoring the goal which took the team to the top flight for the first time in its history. Windass is having none of it.
Free at last to speak to the media after he was released by Hull, the new Darlington player/assistant manager says he accepts full responsibility for the sorry end to his days with his beloved Tigers.
'There are not many things I regret in football but I do regret going to Oldham,' he said.
'It was my decision, not Phil Brown's. Phil didn't want me to leave but he did understand that I am a lad who wants to play and he didn't stand in my way.
'The best thing is that Hull City stayed in the Premier League. That was Phil's aim. It was not about me.
'I had no divine right to play because I am Dean Windass, a Hull lad who happened to score the winner at Wembley. No one is bigger than the club and I firmly believe that.
'Phil wanted to keep me because of who I was but he didn't want me to play. I could have sat around and picked up my wages and been involved now and again, stayed round the changing rooms kept the lads on their toes but I felt fit enough and good enough to play every week. Phil was honest with me from day one about that and I knew I would not play. It was still difficult for me, even at my age.
'I thought Oldham was the right place for me and I could help Shez but it just didn't work out. When I don't enjoy my football and play with a smile on my face, it doesn't work for me and I knew I'd made a really bad mistake.
'Phil took me back and I started training again and scoring for the reserves and I got my appetite back and really enjoyed it again but I knew I couldn't play for the first team because of the loan arrangement with Oldham. Eventually I left Hull in a bad way, but that happens.'
Finally, after more than 20 years of battering down his managers' office doors and demanding a place in their teams, Windass sat on the other side of the desk last week.
Alongside him was the man Windass will again call his 'gaffer'. Colin Todd, his ex-manager at Bradford, the former Bolton boss, is back in English football after a successful two-year stint in Denmark with Randers and now facing one of his toughest challenges.
On the other side of the table, a succession of players and agents have been passing through as the Todd/Windass partnership tries to re-build the squad which was devastated by Darlington's financial woes last season.
Around 15 players have left, following manager Dave Penney after hopes of a League Two play-off place were blown apart by administration and a 10-point penalty.
If enthusiasm could guarantee promotion, Darlington would be odds-on for the third tier for the first time in their history, but they need players first. And Windass, now 40-years-young, will be among the squad at Todd's disposal.
Just five days into the job and already Windass's eyes have been opened and he has been relishing the fresh start and looking at players from a different perspective.
'It was funny sitting there, knowing what we can offer, and listening to what agents and players want,' he said, beaming.
'Colin wanted me involved in those type of meetings straight away. He wants me to take on that responsibility and it's been absolutely brilliant.
'He is the perfect mentor for me. He even let me have a bigger office than him. He is unpredictable, which is one of the things that intrigued me about him at Bradford, and he is so enthusiastic.
'I am sure his wife Jen is pleased he has found a job so quickly because he is someone who just wants to be out there involved in football. As a North East lad, the job at Darlington is like hand in glove for him.
'It is something new and different for me. As a footballer you know what is going to happen, you can plan your week and just make sure you do everything to prepare properly for the Saturday. Now I have to keep fit but I have to coach and help people along the way.
'That first week was a long one, long days, making Colin cups of tea every five minutes, ringing people, just non-stop, but really good, I loved it and I am really up for the challenge. I can't wait for the season to start.'
Windass will be back for Darlington's first day of pre-season on July 4 and lining up for an impressive pre-season programme at home to Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough before the season kicks off at Aldershot on August 8.
He added: 'I still feel fit and still want to play, give it a go for one season at least. Colin wants me to play but I have said to him if we get a couple if strikers in and they do well, I'll be happy to step aside.
'It's the first time I have played at this level and I know it will be tough and frustrating at times. I am not being nasty or rude, but every player has a level and you get to the Premier League because you deserve it.
'The one thing is these lads will need coaching. And that is what I am really looking forward to.'
And after ticking Aldershot off his impressive list of grounds visited, Windass will prepare for his benefit game at Hull on August 9 when they will take on his former club Aberdeen.
He added: 'It's a fantastic chance to say goodbye to the Hull fans and to the Aberdeen fans because I didn't get the opportunity. It will be a great day hopefully, and an emotional one.
'Hull have bent over backwards, but once they were safe Brian Horton told me the date of the game and Paul Duffen, the chairman said it would be done. He said he's a man of his word.
'Hopefully the next time I go back after that will be as their coach or manager. Now I am on the coaching ladder who knows what is going to happen?'
