Windass confirms his retirement

Windass will be remembered for firing Hull into the Premier League

Hull City legend Dean Windass has retired from playing at the age of 40 and is looking to move into coaching.

The striker also had notable spells with Aberdeen, Oxford United, Bradford City and Middlesbrough.

He ended his career as a player-assistant at Darlington, where he was sacked following Colin Todd's departure as manager in September.

Windass joined hometown club Hull for a second time in 2007, scoring the winner in the Championship play-off final.

He said: "It has always been my intention to get into coaching and management and while I understood how difficult that maybe, I was happy to get some experience at the earliest opportunity at Darlington working under someone as knowledgeable as Colin Todd.

"I was also happy to continue playing and combine our tactical aims with the added impetus of being on the pitch.

"As far as playing is concerned you are a long time retired, but I can honestly say now that I want to channel all my enthusiasm into coaching and ultimately management."

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Windass, who was a popular figure at most of his clubs because of his battling style, started his career at East Yorkshire side North Ferriby United.

He moved to Hull in 1991 and left for Aberdeen in 1995, where he was once given three red cards in one game for his angry reaction to his initial dismissal, resulting in a six-game ban.

He joined Oxford United in 1998 for £475,000, still the club's record transfer, but joined the Premier League-bound Bantams before the season was out. There he was suspended for five matches for verbally abusing a referee in the car park of Bradford's ground.

He also had less fruitful spells at Sheffield Wednesday and United before his return to Hull.

After guiding them to the top flight for the first time in their career with his winner over Bristol City in 2008, he made just five Premier League appearances for the Tigers, scoring once in a draw with Portsmouth. He ended last season on loan at Oldham.

He made 639 Football League and Scottish Premier League appearances, scoring 200 goals. He also scored 30 goals in cup competitions.