Hull play-off hero Windass: I told boss I'd score the winner to take us up

13 April 2012

Cult hero Dean Windass made a vow five weeks ago that he would score the winner to take his boyhood team Hull City into the Premier League and, on Saturday, he kept his word.


The 39-year-old striker made the remark after being dropped to the substitutes' bench by Hull manager Phil Brown.

Local hero: Dean Windass celebrates after scoring the goal that secured Premier League football for Hull City

"He left me out against Sheffield United, my former club, and I wasn't happy about it," said Windass. "But he told me I'd play a major part in the rest of the season. I told him I'd score the winning goal to get us in the Premier League. I just reminded him of that.

"As soon as the ball left my foot I knew it was in. But I couldn't watch the last 10 minutes of the game. Nicky Barmby and I were on the bench. I was just thinking, please, please blow the whistle Alan Wiley. When he did, I just couldn't believe it. I was crying.

"I was so nervous for my wife and my kids. I knew what they'd be going through. To take Hull City to the Premier League is just frightening."

When asked what it felt like to gain legendary status among the fans, the Hull-born striker said: "I'm not a legend. People use that word too much in football and I don't like it.

"I don't like that phrase because you get people like those who go and fight for the country in Iraq and those sorts of places, and I get paid a lot of money just to kick a football about.

"They are the real legends, the real heroes. Not people like me, and I don't want to be called that."

One player who couldn't enjoy the post-match celebrations was Dean Marney. He said: "I had to do a drugs test. I hadn't done one all season. While the other lads were celebrating, I was trying to go to the toilet. Disaster."

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