Hull City icon Dean Windass has issued a raw and emotional public plea to his estranged son, Wrexham footballer Josh Windass, on the eve of a major FA Cup fixture. The heartfelt message, shared on social media, comes on Josh's 32nd birthday and ahead of Wrexham's third-round clash against Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
A Father's Public Plea on a Landmark Day
Taking to the platform X on Friday, 56-year-old Dean Windass posted a birthday message that quickly turned into a desperate appeal for contact. He wrote: "Just want to wish my Josh happy 32nd birthday. Gd luck tonight against Nottingham Forest in the FA cup from a very proud DAD. Miss yeh. Life's too short Josh, this is breaking my heart. Please get in touch."
The post underscores a deeply strained relationship between father and son, made more poignant by the timing. Josh Windass is expected to feature for Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground as the Welsh club, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, aims to cause a significant cup upset against Steve Cooper's Forest.
A Painful Diagnosis and a Family Divide
The backdrop to this public appeal is a complex family situation, further complicated by health struggles. In January 2025, it was revealed that Dean Windass, the striker who scored Hull City's iconic Wembley play-off winner in 2008, had been diagnosed with dementia.
In a shocking twist, it later emerged that Josh Windass only learned of his father's diagnosis from a teammate. Speaking to The Sun in March 2025, Josh, then at Sheffield Wednesday, explained: "I found out in a coffee shop. Max [Lowe] said, 'Sorry to hear about your dad's dementia' and I thought, 'Oh, that's news to me.'"
At the time, Josh indicated communication was infrequent, stating he spoke "sometimes" to his brother, who was monitoring Dean's condition. He added that despite the diagnosis, his dad still recognised him and was "sound".
Pride, Careers, and Unspoken Tensions
Despite their estrangement, Dean Windass has consistently expressed immense pride in his son's footballing career. He has spoken emotionally about watching Josh play for Glasgow Rangers, describing being moved to tears by the experience at Ibrox.
Dean has since become a vocal campaigner for dementia awareness in football, highlighting the potential dangers of heading the ball. Josh, meanwhile, has been focusing on his career at ambitious Wrexham. The forward has been a key player in their Championship campaign, contributing seven goals and four assists since his summer move. His form has even sparked transfer speculation, including a potential return to Rangers, which Dean alluded to in a cryptic social media post.
As Wrexham prepares for its spotlight FA Cup fixture, the personal story of one of its players and his legendary father adds a deeply human layer to the sporting drama. Dean Windass's public plea lays bare a personal heartache that no cup victory can heal, highlighting a family rift that persists despite shared footballing glory.
