Integrate to accumulate would probably be a good way of summing up Purvis Ali's outlook on sport.

For ever since he first kicked a football around in his Hyndburn Park Junior School team, Purvis has always maintained the believe that sport should be the great level playing field.

An area where every corner of the community should be able to mix and compete side by side.

For Purvis, it is all about building bridges and not breaking down barriers. A way to move forward.

And it is something that has served him in good stead in every other sport he has pursued, whether it has been kick boxing, boxer or cricket.

"I have always been involved in sport in mixed teams and I think that is the way it should be," said Purvis who was born and bred in Accrington but whose family come from Pakistan. "It should never be about the colour of someone's skin or their religion. Sport is for everyone and everyone should be able to play alongside each other."

Some might say they are romantic notions but Purvis is not deterred from following his dream. And he is not afraid to practice was he preaches.

He has done it as a footballer, boxer and cricketer in his playing days and now as manager of Huncoat United under eights and at the club's thriving Mini League which he helps run.

He was the first Asian youngster to play for Whinney Hill when, as a 16-year-old, he was invited to attend trials after he was spotted with a ball at his feet in the work yard at Nori Brick in Accrington.

But he never thought of it as being the first Asian to break in to the team -- he thought of it purely from the football point of view.

Purvis, whose father is a religious leader in Accrington, knows all about working with the Asian community as he helped set up the Asian Sports Academy and still acts as its vice chairman.

"I am very happy to be involved with the Sports Academy although I still believe it should serve all the deprived areas of the community rather than one specific area. But we obtained funding to help youngsters get involved in football and cricket teams and it served as a good stepping stone.

"But in this day and age we should be playing alongside each other not in our own teams. I can understand why there are teams around that are purely for Asian players. And while those teams may think they are doing something positive, I don't believe that is all together true.

"I would like to see white kids playing alongside Asian kids in the same teams. That is the way I have always done it and it has been a great education for me."

Purvis admits that there is a shortage of Asian players on our local football pitches but he said you only have to look at the cricket leagues to see that it is not an overall problem.

"You look at local football teams and there are not enough Asian players playing. While you might think it is a problem you only have to have a look at cricket teams in the Lancashire League to see how Asian players play alongside white players. "So it can happen and it does happen.

"It's all about trust. If Asian kids see other Asians playing for a team and enjoying it then they know it will be alright to go along and join that team. That is why I believe it is vital that our teams should be integrated."

They are words well worth listening to from a man who has enjoyed his fair share of success in local sport.

As a young kick boxer, Purvis reached one grade below his black belt under the guidance of Master Ken and Master Toddy at the Old Mill club in Burnley before a broken leg brought his career to a premature end.

Purvis, then aged 18, moved on to boxing and joined the Lancashire Constabulary Club in Haslingden and fought at four weights, earning a call up to the county team.

But a broken hand -- sustained through playing football -- ended his seven year association with boxing.

"I suppose you could call it fate really because it meant I could then go on and concentrate on football and cricket."

While Whinney Hill has always been the team closest to his heart, and he is now vice chairman of the Accrington club, Purvis went on to play for Padiham , Great Harwood and Accrington Stanley.

He is the first to admit that he didn't get any higher than the reserve teams but again it was another big learning experience for him.

His cricket career was concentrated around the Enfield second and third teams.

But now aged 37, with his playing days behind him, coaching football is his main focus.

Purvis was approached to help run the Huncoat United Mini League and from that he went on to manage Huncoat's under eights team.

"The Mini League is a great opportunity for kids aged between five and eight to have a game of football and to progress as players. About 50 and 60 kids are involved and it is not just about keeping them off street corners it is about providing a service and maybe finding players who could go on and play for academy teams at Blackburn Rovers, Burnley and Manchester United."

Purvis says the Mini League is a fine example of team-work and heaps praise on Billy Neil, John Honeyman and Mick Tattersall for all the work they do. "We have got two very good teams at under nines, which Billy runs, and the under eights team that I run and both are top of their respective league in the North Valley Friendly Leagues. It shows what can be done with hard work and guidance.

"We have a number of Asian youngsters involved in the Mini League and my son Harris plays for the under eights team. I have always instilled it in to him that he should be playing alongside other kids. Like me when I was a youngster, it has done him the world of good.

"He's great little player and is currently training with Manchester United and Burnley. But he is not a one-off because I am certain other young Asian players will soon be making their mark."