A TOP detective reckons he's got the skills to kick crime into touch.

For Det Insp Russ Proctor hasn't always been a policeman - he used to turn out regularly for Accrington Stanley!

The footballer-turned-cop joined the club as a 20-year-old before opting for a police career.

However, he was back playing for the biggest little club in the world for a second spell just a few years later - by which time his police career was, like the club, moving upwards.

Nelson-based DI Proctor, 33, played for the team when he was 20 and then returned to the club as a semi-professional when he was 24 - by which time he had joined the police. Die-hard fans will remember him playing centre half in 1993/94 and the 1997/98 seasons. And the senior officer claims he was honest as the day's long!

He said: "I spent more time on the pitch than off it, I wasn't a dirty player., If I did argue with the referee it was because of a misunderstanding'."

The detective inspector was part of the team which provided loyal Stanley fans with cup thrills in the 1993/94 season.

They only lost three of their last 18 games and reached the semi-finals of both League Challenge Cup and President Cup.

And it was also the season when Eric Whalley returned to the club to help start it moving in the right direction - which culminated in promotion to the Football League last season.

After moving to Great Harwood Town, DI Proctor soon made his way back to Accrington Stanley in 1997/98.

Unfortunately Accrington Stanley will never see DI Proctor playing for the side again as a knee injury ended his career.

He said: "It was just one of those things - I just wanted to play football at the highest standard I could and work in my chosen career. I played for Accrington Stanley on two occasions and they are the best club in the area."

But fans shouldn't be disappointed - because another Proctor, cousin Andy, has taken his place. DI Proctor said: "My cousin Andy now plays as a professional for them."