Dean Windass was a well known and popular figure throughout the game, in a career that spanned 21 years and 13 clubs across various levels of English - and Scottish - football.

A bubbly and personable character, the Yorkshireman was highly regarded for his workrate, determination and goal-scoring ability by most who watched him.

Windass' playing career began at hometown club Hull City, the club he'd supported growing up, and the burly forward spent four successful years there, finding the net 57 times in 176 games.

Times were hard for the East Yorkshire club in the mid 90's and when Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen offered a large fee for the services of Windass in the winter of 1995, the cash strapped Tigers reluctantly accepted and the frontman moved North of the border.

Scottish football was of a higher standard in the 1990's, more financially affluent and able to attract top players. The opportunity at Aberdeen was a good one for Windass, who is fondly remembered by supporters in Scotland. Spending three years with Aberdeen, Windass would score 21 goals in 73 games as well as infamously being shown the red card on two occasions during one match towards the end of his spell there.

In the summer of 1998, Windass made the move back to England, joining Oxford United - then of the second tier - for just under £500,000. Though Windass himself performed well, Oxford were relegated and towards the end of the campaign the striker would again be on the move.

Joining a Bradford City team that was hunting promotion to the Premier League, Windass slotted in nicely, able to take up either midfield or attacking roles and helping the Bantams to achieve their promotion objective.

After a season and a half, playing in numerous positions, Windass was sold by a Bradford side staring relegation from the top flight in the face, joining fellow Premier League club Middlesbrough. Injuries would plague Windass' spell in the northeast and restricted his opportunities. The Yorkshireman would be sent out on loan to both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United and eventually return to previous club Bradford City.

Again, Windass was a huge success in West Yorkshire, performing well for the club. The Bantams, however, were struggling and found themselves relegated to League Two. Windass was too good to be playing at that level for long and he would make a dream return to his first club Hull City, initially on loan in 2007.

Helping the Tigers avoid relegation in 2007, Windass' loan move was made permanent and he would lead the Tigers into dreamland as they were promoted to the Premier League in 2008, going up via the play-offs thanks to an iconic volleyed Wembley winner from Windass giving them a 1-0 win over Bristol City.

That was as good as it got for Windass. The striker was given limited opportunities for Hull in the Premier League and soon moved on for a loan spell at Oldham Athletic as time was catching up with the veteran.

Sporadic, brief spells at Darlington and non-league clubs Barton Town Old Boys and Scarborough Athletic followed as Windass' career wound down, the player retiring completely in 2012.

Since then Windass has gone on to have well-publicised struggles with mental health and alcoholism, though appears to be in a healthier condition of late. Over recent years he has gone on to complete various coaching badges while working as a club ambassador for Hull City.

The Tigers failed to renew Windass' contract for his ambassadorial role for the 2019/20 season, leaving the former player "devastated" and again on the lookout for another opportunity within the game.