Windass sights on promotion

NEWLY-SIGNED striker Dean Windass is relishing the challenge of helping Athletic achieve their goal of winning promotion to the Coca- Cola Championship.

The 39-year-old, who has joined on loan from Premier League side Hull City for the remainder of the season, believes he will deliver the goals which will at least guarantee a top-six spot.

He said: “You know what you get from me. I always give 100-per-cent every time I put a shirt on and I will guarantee you goals if I get the service.

“I am also a team player and there are a lot of young lads in the squad and I will also try and help them to develop.”

Windass is also excited with the prospect of winning a second successive promotion, having helped Hull reach the top flight less than eight months ago.

He scored 15 goals in the Tigers’ triumphant campaign including the dramatic match winner against Bristol City in the play-off final at Wembley.

Windass said: “The fact Oldham are in fifth place in the league and have a great chance to get into the Championship influenced by decision to sign.

“Also the fact the likes of Lee Hughes, Sean Gregan and Mark Crossley, three experienced players are here, had a bearing on my decision.”

Windass, who also spoke to Hartlepool and a couple of Championship clubs he says it would be unfair to name, admitted that the close proximity to home also appealed.

He continued: “I am towards the end of my career and have nothing to prove. I simply want to enjoy my football.

“I have spent the last two years commuting to Hull which is one-and-a-half hours each way.

“The fact Oldham is less than 45 minutes from home also made the move appealing as I will also be able to spend more time with my children.”

Windass explained the only reason he left Hull was to play regular first-team football.

He had only made six appearances for them this season, all but one being in the Premier League.

He continued: “I have always played football and that was why I left Hull. It is frustrating for any footballer at any level when you are not playing.

“I also felt I was not going to get any further opportunities so I decided I the time was right to move on.

“I didn’t want to leave Hull because it is my home-city club and we achieved a lot and I scored a lot of goals for them.

“You will never be able to take away what I helped Hull achieve. I love the club and always will do as I am a fan as well as a player.

“Sometimes you have to move on - and let’s hope I can score the goals which take Oldham to the Championship.”

Windass has no intention of retiring and recently explained he wants to continue playing until at least the age of 42.

That provides plenty of opportunity to add to the 228 career goals which he has scored in two spells at both home-city Hull and Bradford City and also stints at Aberdeen, Oxford and both Sheffield clubs.

“I wouldn’t have said that if I didn’t think I could do it,” he explained, adding he has the option of staying at Boundary Park for the 2009/10 season if things go well.