Windass an asset on and off pitch (From The Northern Echo)

Windass an asset on and off pitch

9:00am Saturday 27th June 2009 in

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DARLINGTON manager Colin Todd has spoken of his delight at teaming up again with striker Dean Windass.

The veteran Hull forward is dropping down from the Premier League to become player/ coach at The Northern Echo Darlington Arena meaning Todd and Windass will pair up for the first time since their Bradford days.

They worked together in West Yorkshire for three-anda- half-years until early 2007 when Windass moved to Hull and his playing days enjoyed something of an Indian summer.

But Todd and Windass have remained friends and the Quakers manager explained he is sticking by a long-standing agreement to work again with the 40-year-old.

Todd said: “I’ve kept in touch with Dean, I spoke to him a bit during my time in Denmark, and always told him if there was ever an opportunity to manage a club then he could come along and join me.

“It is going to be Dean’s first step into management but the real plus is that he is still capable of playing games and he will be a real asset to his team-mates.

“He’s a very good player and will show players what is required. He is also a very good character, a bubbly personality which is what we need.”

Windass might not be expected to play as regularly as he once did, and Todd added: “We’ll assess it as we go along how much he can play.”

Windass will play one more match at Hull as the Tigers will stage a benefit game in his honour on Sunday, August 9 against Aberdeen, one of his former clubs.

A fall out with Tigers boss Phil Brown saw Windass’ appearances in limited in the Premier League, so the match – a day after Quakers’ league curtain-raiser at Aldershot – will provide an opportunity to say farewell to the Hull fans.

“There was one or two things happened at Hull which sometimes happens with managers,” said Todd.

“But he extended his career at the highest level so it was nice for him to end his Hull days at the top.”

Windass said: “It will be the cherry on the cake to say goodbye to the fans. Things ended on a bit of a sour note but that’s just football sometimes.”

Another former Hull striker, Michael Bridges, has been linked with Quakers.

■ Striker Pawel Abbott has followed former boss Dave Penney to Oldham, signing a two-year deal.