Dean Winnard (born 20 August 1989) is an English footballer who last played for Marine in the Northern Premier League Division One West. His natural position is as a central defender. However, at Accrington Stanley, he was predominantly used as a left full-back.
Club career
Blackburn Rovers
Winnard was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and began his career in the youth team of Blackburn Rovers. He captained the under-18 and reserve teams at Blackburn Rovers. In April 2008, Winnard signed a one–year contract with the club but was released in 2009 without appearing for the first team.
Accrington Stanley
Winnard signed for Accrington Stanley on 19 June 2009. He previously went on a trial with Accrington Stanley, leading him to sign for the club despite interests from Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United. Upon joining the club, Winnard was given a number fifteen shirt for the side. Winnard made his Football League debut on 8 August in the 0–1 defeat to Rotherham United. In early–September, he suffered a thigh injury and was sidelined briefly. Winnard made his return to the first team from injury on 5 September 2009, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 win over Bury. On 6 October 2009, he scored his first professional goal (and his first for Accrington Stanley), in a 2–0 win over Shrewsbury Town. Two weeks later on 24 October 2009, Winnard once played in the left–back position, in a 2–1 win over Rochdale. Since joining the club, he regained his first team place for the side throughout the season. However, Winnard missed the last two matches of the season, due to a groin injury. At the end of the 2009–10 season, he made fifty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions. He signed a two–year contract with the club after being offered a new contract.
Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Winnard was expecting to play in the left–back position by Manager John Coleman. As he played in the left–back position, he helped the side keep three clean sheet in the first three league matches of the season. Winnard later helped the side keep another three clean sheets in a row between 26 February 2011 and 8 March 2011. He then did so for the third time when he kept a further three clean sheets in a row between 16 April 2011 and 25 April 2011. In the last game of the season against Burton Albion, Winnard scored his first goal of the season, as Accrington Stanley drew 1–1. At the end of the 2010–11 season, he went on to make fifty–two appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Winnard was expected to stay at Accrington Stanley for another season after the club saw several departures of their key players. He then signed a two–year contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2013. Winnard started the season well when he scored and set up a goal, in a 2–1 win over Burton Albion on 27 August 2011. He continued to regain his first team place for the side this season. However, in early–October, Winnard suffered an injury that kept him out for two matches. But he returned to the starting lineup, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 loss against Swindon Town on 15 October 2011. On 5 November 2011, Winnard captained the side for the first time in his Accrington Stanley's career, as they lost 2–1 against Bristol Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup. However, Winnard was sidelined later in the 2011–12 season after suffering injuries. At the end of the 2011–12 season, he went on to make thirty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Winnard returned from injury during the pre–season. He then started playing in the right–back position at the start of the 2012–13 season. However, Winnard soon suffered an injury that saw him miss four matches. He made his return to the starting line-up and playing the whole game, in a 3–1 loss against Torquay United on 13 October 2012. Since returning to the first team, he began rotating in playing both either right–back position and centre–back positions. On 27 November 2012, Winnard scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Rotherham United. Despite missing two matches due to suspension during the 2012–13 season, Winnard went on to make forty–three appearances and scoring once in all competitions. On 18 May 2013, he signed a two–year contract with the club.